If rugby union does not want to revert to its role as football’s puny winter cousin,then the next six weeks will be criticalIt is easy to sound pompous at the start of substantial tournaments. The 2.3 million tickets sold, the massive global audience and the sheer size of the prize can be tough to resist. Before rugby union’s latest mega-demonstrate begins on Friday night, and you can almost feel an entire sport’s shirt buttons straining to manage with its continuing expansion. The scope for today’s modern hulks to convert perceptions during this World Cup is incredible.
Hence the reason why those of us who suspect the oval-ball game will never possess a better chance to display its virtues are both excited and apprehensive. In theory,all the essential pillars are in place: competitive matches from day one; genuine uncertainty in the pool stages; a home nation on the up; at least half a dozen other potential winners; virtually full stadiums in a favourable European time zone; good-humoured volunteers; wall-to-wall media coverage. The only nagging caveat is a familiar one: will it convert the nonbelievers who still like to perceive union as a pastime for meatheads or hoorays?Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com