Rugby: A long and rich Rugby rivalry will enter a new chapter where New Zealand and South Africa battle it out for Sunday's Rugby World Cup final clash.
Springboks & NZ chasing history in final | 00:57World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said on Tuesday the sport was entering an “exciting new era” with the unveiling of a new bi-annual international competition from 2026, but the plans did not receive universal approval from rugby’s smaller nations.
However, if Beaumont thought the changes would satisfy second-tier nations, his hopes were disabused by Samoan fly-half Lima Sopoaga.“Being excluded from this is incredibly frustrating, for me it’s not what rugby is meant to be about, the so-called rugby values that everyone talks about,” said Sopoaga, who previously played 16 Tests for New Zealand.
“An era that will support the many, not the few, and an era that will supercharge the development of the sport beyond its traditional and often self-imposed boundaries.” Six Nations Rugby hailed the overhaul as a “player-led reform” and said it would adapt its women’s and men’s tournaments accordingly.
A finals series involving all teams will take place each year, where the annual champions will be confirmed. Japan will host the first finals in 2024. LILLE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 07: Lima Sopoaga of Samoa kicks the ball clear during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and Samoa at Stade Pierre Mauroy on October 07, 2023 in Lille, France. World Rugby also announced the men’s Rugby World Cup will enlarge from 20 nations to 24 for its next edition in Australia in 2027.
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