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World Rugby CEO's new Tweet the latest twist in the World League controversy

Fiji Sevens captain Kalione Nasoko (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)

As the controversy around the proposed World League rumbles on, World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper has taken to Twitter to debunk one of the major inaccuracies in the reporting of the story.

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It has been widely reported that a freeze out of the Pacific Islands is one of the ideas currently on the table.

The New Zealand Herald reported that a 12-team World League – where teams from the Rugby Championship and Six Nations will be joined by the United States and Japan – is set to go ahead after leading nations came to an agreement.

An unknown broadcaster has also offered to back the concept in a deal that will provide up to NZ$14m for each nation every season.

Rumours of the proposal have been floating around for several months and there is thought to be some urgency to sign off on the concept with plans to launch by 2020.

The controversy has even led Dan Leo, the former Samoa lock and current player welfare manager for Pacific players based in Europe, to call on a boycott of the World Cup in Japan by Tonga, Fiji and Samoa.

Embattled World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper has now hit back at reports, saying that the final two places have not been decided and that a relegation system is being championed by World Rugby itself.

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‘Avalanche of media on World League in last 24hrs. Many inaccuracies. World Rugby has pushed for relegation/promotion which is not universally supported,” Gosper tweeted. “The 2 extra tier 2 teams funded to enter the Rugby Championship will be selected on merit – so no Pacific shut out!”

https://twitter.com/brettgosper/status/1101755554001760257

Gosper’s words echo that of World Rugby Vice-president Augustin Pichot, who has also said relegation was key.

https://twitter.com/AP9_/status/1101103673193705472

The leak has been a giant PR disaster for World Rugby.

On Thursday Senior players from around the globe – including Jonny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Kieran Read – were united in voicing their concern about the proposed format, largely to do with player welfare.

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By Friday, many were calling for a Pacific Island boycott of the Rugby World Cup.

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Comments on RugbyPass

O
OJohn 20 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Obviously Borthwick is the problem. He's inflexible. It's his way or the highway. Trouble is he's going the wrong way.

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B
Bull Shark 56 minutes ago
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Fiji. 1 point.

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 59 minutes ago
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

I tend to agree with Campese. This is probably the last chance Eben has of winning the award. But man, Cheslin and PSDT have been sublime.

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

Possibly. But this welsh team is no better than a good URC team at this point.


But a tough match is what is needed for the inexperienced in the group. Building depth etc.


Nobody learns anything pumping a team by 50.

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Rob Howley: Warren Gatland is 'the best coach in the world'

Jeepers. That’s a nuclear response given the context.


By all means back the man. But there’s no need to go overboard with calling him the world best coach.

1 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

He played a big role, as director of rugby prior to stepping in as coach, putting systems in place. He’s been involved in many of these players careers since they were teens or debutants at their provincial teams.


So I agree with you 100% it’s not Gatlands fault the pipeline of players is poor.

20 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Johan Ackermann returns to SA in new coaching role

Rassie is going to coach the boks until he’s 65. Never get tired of this.


I said a while ago that a South African would do well with Wales. Similar philosophy to the game. Perhaps Johan should do a stint at Wales?

4 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
The Springboks confirm one change made to team named on Tuesday

It could be about the cut. It doesn’t seem wise to risk a reinjury.


Also an opportunity to give others a run.

6 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

It a hypothesis sure, perhaps Felix has a sweet deal lined up somewhere else. But I also don’t think he’d say something about that environment if it wasn’t true. He doesn’t strike me as a douche.

14 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Just a hypothesis. What on earth else could be the issue with regards to the environment as claimed by Felix?

14 Go to comments
J
JM 1 hour ago
'Lightweight' Premiership not preparing England players for Test rugby

You start off talking about physicality and then quickly segue to intensity as if they're the same thing.

If you think the Premiership isn't physical then you're either a fool, or being disingenuous.

One of the issues the Premiership does have when it comes to intensity is that the bonus point structure makes the last 20 minutes of lots of games meaningless. Everyone's wrapped up their points, benches are cleared, the quality of the game deteriorates, and what could be tense conclusions end up just petering out.

12 Go to comments
T
Tom 1 hour ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Willis is incredible and probably the best of the bunch but in Underhill and Earl we have two excellent alternatives.


Willis is solid in the lineout but I don't think Borthwick would pick a backrow without a 6'5" blindside.

4 Go to comments
T
Toaster 1 hour ago
Let's be real about these All Blacks

As an ABs fan there’s nothing to justify

The Boks are the best and just know how to win

And their depth is incredible now

And when they don’t they lose late on by one point


The rest of us aren’t too far away (some closer than others)


But in reality if we include England Argentina and now Aus rugby looks greatly competitive


Bongis knock on and Lomaxes double bank

These things happen


The fact is the ABs overall have evolved with new players and others like Aumua Vaai and Williams who have progressed immensely


But by and large although it has improved overall our second halves are a massive work in progress


So a B- is about right provided there is no loss to Italy

A loss drops it to C- !!

Remember we could have lost all three games to England but were just slightly better that’s all

29 Go to comments
f
fl 1 hour ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

Willis is decent in the lineout to be fair, but definitely lacking a heavyweight ball carrier.


I think between Underhill, Curry, and Willis there isn't a huge amount between them. Maybe Willis would be good enough to start, but he wouldn't massively improve the team.

4 Go to comments
T
Tom 1 hour ago
'England's blanket of despair feels overdone - they are not a team in freefall'

I'm not sure he is getting there and I don't think he will. Progress has been glacial honestly. Our attacking structure hasn't improved at all, except that he's now picking Marcus Smith who is a one man attack at the moment... And our defence for obvious reasons is now awful. I would have faith in Borthwick if I had faith in his assistant coaches... But I don't think Wigglesworth is an attack coach and why would he be? He's never been an attack coach and he spent his entire career box kicking. Our defence coach has never been employed as a defence coach and is still the head coach of a second division French side with an awful defensive record. The fact that Borthwick appointed them both is a poor reflection. If we still had Felix Jones and we had Mike Catt/Nick Evans or someone in the attack coach role, I'd be content to be patient and that results will come. With Wigglesworth and Joe El Abd, I have no faith that we will improve and I've seen no signs that we are.

16 Go to comments
E
EV 1 hour ago
Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

You miss the point. There is no pipeline of players. A coach cannot change that. That is up to the Welsh RFU, which have failed.


Rassie is a clever bugger, no doubt, but the Boks could play 52 players this year because of the systems they have put in place to find and develop players from schoolboy level up.

20 Go to comments
E
EV 1 hour ago
Sadness pervades as Gatland stands on the brink of Welsh exit

Rassie is ruling the roost because he put systems in place to find and develop the best players from schoolboy level up. Its an entire system and organisation that now, several years down the line, presents him with a pipeline of battle ready talent.


Wales lacks this, lacks a Director of Rugby. Firing Gatland won't change this fact. He is an world class coach. If anything Abi Tierney should be shipped out for failing to put these systems in place over the last 11 months.

20 Go to comments
T
Tom 1 hour ago
'I don't think Steve Borthwick would pick Jack Willis even if he's playing in England'

In terms of player quality, that is a phenomenal backrow. In terms of balance, not so much. Lacks a heavyweight ball carrier and a lineout option. I'm sure they'd still cause havoc though.

4 Go to comments
S
SC 1 hour ago
New Zealand can't keep losing first fives like Harry Plummer

Is Harry Plummer a better 10 than Barrett or McKenzie? I do not think he is close to their level. Clearly, neither does Robertson.


Therefore Plummer does not deserve to start or be on the bench for an All Black Test if he is not one of the top two in his position. The third best player at a position should only be selected if one of the top two are injured.


This applies to all players at all positions.


The All Black XV team is for player development. The All Blacks should not be.

6 Go to comments
T
Tk 1 hour ago
Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane

Worst selection of the year. Farewells for Sam and TJ- but they are not retiring greats, they have chosen to leave NZ rugby for pay days. Havili, just why? Lakai had a great 78 mins last week now dropped for a retirement party. Reuben Love anyone, you know, a player who will be around come RWC'27!

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