Rugby World Cup could be set for expansion
The Rugby World Cup could increase to 24 teams by 2023 as the governing body considers expanding from 20 countries.
Japan will host the 2019 World Cup, with next year's tournament to feature 20 teams – New Zealand looking to claim a third successive title.
Canada, Kenya, Hong Kong and Germany will contest a round-robin play-off event in Marseille to decide who qualifies for the 2019 showpiece.
However, France 2023 could include four more nations, according to World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper.
"We're always looking from an expansive point of view rather than reducing so it's just a question of when rather than if," Gosper said.
"We want to make sure the teams are competitive enough to move to a 24-team tournament. We have assumed 20 for 2023 but we could change that between now and 2023.
"The tendency for us is to try and look to expand. It's about growing the global game - getting interest from fans and commercial interest in new markets.
"But you've got to make sure you've got the teams. We're definitely in an expansive mindset, is how I'd put it."
Amid concerns of a mismatch against the likes of the All Blacks at the World Cup, Gosper added: "We'll work hard after that team qualifies to ensure they've got all the technical coaches they need - as we do for each World Cup.
"We are confident that team that qualifies will be competitive enough, even against the All Blacks."
You may also like: Wallabies duo Beale and Samu ahead of Pumas test
Latest Comments
REACH OUT TO TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY FOR A GREAT JOB
WhatsApp +15617263697
Fine wine and crypto do not always blend well, especially after a few drinks. I learned this the hard way after a record harvest at my vineyard. Swirling an old Cabernet under the stars, I was a financial connoisseur, my $720,000 Bitcoin wallet aging well for future returns. But the next morning, with a hangover as intense as my Merlion, I realized I'd forgotten my wallet password. Even worse, my recovery phrase, which I'd written down in my wine cellar notebook, had vanished. My eager new assistant had tidied up, mistaking my scribbled security notes for wine tasting spillage, and donated the entire book to the recycling gods. I dove into the garbage cans like a desperate sommelier searching for a quality grape but came up with broken dreams and soggy cardboard. Panic set in faster than cork taint. I faced the bitter truth: my digital fortune was bottled up tighter than a corked bottle with no opener. I sank into denial, questioning whether my future vineyard expansion would now be reduced to selling boxed wine. I panicked, pored over industry publications, and came across a wine industry newsletter that mentioned Tech Cyber Force Recovery. Their slogan, something playful about "decanting lost crypto," seemed like a sign from God. I contacted them, half-expecting snobbery or skepticism. What I received instead were tech wizards who tackled my case with humor and precision. Their team labored over my case like veteran sommeliers dissecting terroir. They painstakingly reconstructed transaction flows, timestamp records, and subtle wallet behavior. It was as if I was watching wine connoisseurs sniff out hints of blackcurrant and oak, but with algorithms and blockchain forensics. Each day, they provided updates with the finesse of tasting notes. “We’re detecting progress, notes of potential access, hints of password recovery on the finish.” Their creativity lightened my anxiety, and ten days later, they uncorked my digital vault. When I saw my Bitcoin balance restored, I nearly opened a bottle of my best vintage at 9 AM. My assistant and I shared a hearty laugh; he's still working for me, but now he labels my ledgers with "DO NOT TOUCH" in bold. My wine business is thriving thanks to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, and I have a new rule: passwords before Pinot. Cheers to their genius!
Go to commentsWe have to move on from last week. The team did. Chay Fihaki is playing great.Noah Hotham and outside him TahaKemara , fantastic. Tom Christie , the ultimate unsung hero, as Matt Todd was.Crisian Lio-Willie andAntonio Shalfoon , returned and showed what we missed last week.
Go to comments