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Sam Warburton drives nail into Boks' Six Nations coffin
By Ian Cameron
Former Lions skipper Sam Warburton has let rip on the idea of South Africa joining the Six Nations live on the BBC.
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Last week the Six Nations issued a statement that there was no current plans for anyone to either leave or join the competition. “Six Nations Rugby, comprising the six unions and federations and CVC, wish to confirm that they are not entertaining any discussion nor developing any plans to add or replace any participating union,” said a statement after speculation mounted following reports in the UK and in South Africa.
However, the discussion has rumbled on, with many not convinced that South Africa joining the competition isn’t something that is being looked at. Warburton addressed the issue, saying ‘absolutely not’ to the idea of Boks accession.
“I love South Africa and I loved playing against them but absolutely not [when it comes to] the Six Nations,” he told the BBC prior to the Scotland versus France. “I understand there is talk about aligning rugby teams on time zones as opposed to hemispheres, and I can understand that because South Africa is out on its own a little bit.
“It’s in the same time zone as us and it’s miles away from counterparts in Australia and New Zealand.
“But the Six Nations, for me, has a responsibility to develop European rugby. It’s Europe, who is the best in Europe? It’s the European championship.
“Adding South Africa into that makes no sense whatsoever.
“For me, we need to develop Europe. That’s bringing in promotion and relegation and it would take someone much smarter than me to figure out how it works.
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Should South Africa be introduced to make a Seven Nations? @samwarburton_ gives his assessment on the rumoured introduction of an additional team into the competition.
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— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 26, 2022
“But whoever comes bottom of the Six Nations, we should never just drop them straight down because the standard coming up might not be good enough.
“There should be a play-off in the next available international window.
“Let’s just say it was Italy and Georgia, if Georgia play Italy in Italy and win, then you know the standard coming up is better.
“We need to remove the glass ceiling and develop European rugby as a whole. That has got to be a priority.”
Australia, NZ, Japan, Fiji, Samoa, tonga should be in a competition for Oceania with a second tier competition including cook islands, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Korea and either Papua New Guinea or Solomon or Vanuatu in ther second tier...this will allow for stronger competition and mind you with Tangan and Samoan stars returning could strengthen this competition. Consistent and meaningful competition could see island players opting for the red, blue and white rather than the gold or black. What it means is that the product will be of commercial value and also will allow for a multi layered development rather than how the comps are at the moment
The European competitions (2 tiers) is going well, however there needs a bridging between the top and bottom with a play off type
South Africa, Namibia, Argentina, UsA, Canada, Uruguay, and either Brazil or Kenya should contest a tournament a tier down from that competition could have Zimbabwe, Uganda, and other emerging american or african nation such as Morocco or Israel (recently launched a professional rugby club.