So-called tier-two teams are at every disadvantage, from pool fixtures to a lack of quality warm-ups: World Rugby has to actIt’s what the world game needs, and almost all rugby fans want. A brilliantly in sync Fijian side on the verge of the last eight of a Rugby World Cup, flying the flag for battling tier-two nations everywhere. Having beaten Georgia and toppled Australia, in addition to beating England at Twickenham last month, they are breaking new ground on a regular basis.Nor have they been entirely alone. While most of the attention is focused on who will make it through to the knockout stages in France, some smaller nations still have their eyes set on a golden ticket of their own: automatic qualification for 2027 by virtue of finishing third in their pool. During this World Cup there have certainly been encouraging performances from teams such as Portugal and Uruguay – the gap between the haves and have-nots is closing. Continue reading...
