why are there still so many unbalanced matches?

In rugby, the Rugby World Cup will resume on Wednesday September 20 with Italy facing Uruguay then France-Namibia, Thursday September 21 at 9 p.m. While waiting for these two matches which should still see many points scored, this is the opportunity for a first assessment after already 16 group matches played and still scores which raise questions about the globalization of rugby. Two examples this weekend: South Africa’s 76 to 0 over Romania or New Zealand’s 71 to 3 against Namibia, the Blues’ next opponent. So why are there still so many gaps between nations?

Players forced into exile

There is a very simple reason which explains such discrepancies, according to former international Guy Accoceberry: “The real problem for these nations is the lack of high-level matches against major nations.” Thus, Namibia has only faced the French XV twice in 40 years, in the World Cup. The fault lies in a historically elitist rugby, operating in closed leagues, forcing players from small nations to go into exile far from home to grow up, adds Guy Accoceberry. “Georgia, Fiji have evolved because many players have come to play in the Top 14. It would be difficult to develop an attractive championship in Namibia or Tonga. If we want it to become more attractive, we have to put money on the table but I think World Rugby has the means to do it if they really intend to.”

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To increase the number of international matches, the organization announced this summer the launch of a world league in 2026. Except that the competition, contested every two years, will once again bring together the ten best teams, joined however by two invited countries . For emerging nations, another league must see the light of day, with a relegation/promotion system between the two divisions, but not before 2030. Enough to see the abysmal gaps continue.