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Warren Gatland calls for World Cup revamp after stern Portugal test
By PA
Warren Gatland believes that a 24-nation Rugby World Cup would help to grow the game.
An expansion from the current 20 countries for Australia 2027 or the United States four years later has been mooted in some quarters.
The current tournament in France has already been highlighted by outstanding performances from lower-ranked teams.
Uruguay pushed France for large parts of a gripping Pool A encounter before losing 27-12, while Portugal gave Gatland’s Wales plenty to ponder and Chile had their moments in games against Japan and Samoa.
“I thought Uruguay were outstanding – it is brilliant for the game,” Wales head coach Gatland said, following a 28-8 victory over Portugal.
“Portugal were fantastic and showed a lot of enterprise, and you could argue that Uruguay were pretty unlucky in a few situations (against France).
“I think it is important that we continue to develop from a rugby perspective to help develop these tier two nations.
“There might be a situation where we can increase the number of teams in the World Cup to 24, and that would continue to help grow the game.
“That is an important aspect. You don’t want top tier nations dominating, you want upsets – as long as I am not a part of it!
“I think it’s a real positive going forward to see teams competing and pushing other teams close.”
Portugal returned to the World Cup stage following a 16-year absence when they tackled Wales at Stade de Nice.
They qualified for the tournament by winning a repechage competition in Dubai, and full-back Nuno Sousa Guedes has no doubt that regular exposure against leading nations is what Portugal require.
Guedes and company made life tough for Wales, trailing by just four points approaching half-time, while they did not concede a bonus-point try until the game’s closing seconds.
“If we could keep playing games like this, it is the main thing,” Guedes said.
“For the kids back home who are starting out, it would be a very good step.
“In Portugal, it is always soccer. We want to show the world that it is not only soccer.
“We have the numbers in terms of rugby and some good kids coming up. I think we have the capacity.”
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Latest Comments
Perenara is super woke, the treaty of long ago is irrelevant to a game of rugby in Italy. By referencing it and claiming the countries going through tough times is clearly because Perenara doesn't agree with the democratically elected government of New Zealand that people from all ethnicities voted for. Perenara is making it divisive and political despite many of his team mates that wouldn't agree with his decision. The Allblacks saved this year's worst performance to combine it with the most divisive haka statement. Perhaps it's overdue now for NZ rugby to leave the haka for home games only, ensure that only the players that want to do it are included and never again have 'insertions' added by political activist players.
Go to commentsI expected a larger win than this and the ABs were off slightly whilst the rested Italians were well up for this and gave a real committed performance
Frustrating but a lot of those ABs forwards have done huge minutes this tour and Italy are not the side from the World Cup
Remember they beat wales and Scotland in the 6N
Drew with France and lost to England by 3
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