It was recently confirmed there will now be no relegation from the Gallagher Premership. Will this encourage more corporate sponsorship? Red Bull has committed to Newcastle Falcons and Dyson to Bath; it is rumoured that the owners of Bournemouth FC are interested in Exeter Chiefs.
Successful World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward thinks not. “Getting rid of relegation has all been about improving the league’s balance sheet,” he commented recently. Investment will not be put at risk by the fear of relegation. Woodward also clarifies his thinking by noting that Newcastle, Harlequins, Gloucester and Sale were all soundly thrashed, and that for spectators it was an expensive watch. All four teams were at the bottom of the league.
A bigger global issue may be the quality of rugby on show. Many are raising their eyebrows at the quality of performance on show in the Southern Hemisphere’s Super Rugby. Why are teams kicking so much? In a recent fixture, the Blues’ Beauden Barrett, arguably the world’s top fly-half, kicked embarrassingly badly. His kicks lacked direction, were badly weighted and were repeated frequently. Poor kicking and re-set scrums are turning people away from the game. Running the ball must become a more important option. It is all about playing and coaching attitudes.
Elsewhere the Investec Champions Cup final has been decided. Leinster will play Bordeaux at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao on the weekend of May 22-23.
Leinster had to draw on all their experience to weather a late comeback from Toulon, eventually winning 29-25.
Bordeaux always looked the likely winners over a Bath side who are having a strong season and will go into the Gallagher Premiership play-offs as favourites. Bordeaux winning 38-26. Bordeaux will be looking to retain the trophy which they won last year. Leinster have been in 4 of the last 5 finals and cannot be written off.
Finally, time to consider attending the Phuket 11s tournament over the weekend of June 5, 6, and 7. Despite all the world’s flying problems, the tournament is sure to go ahead. More details closer to the event.
Wherever you live, enjoy your rugby.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.