The world of rugby is on the brink of a potential revolution, but will it soar or stumble?
The Rise and Fall of Rebel Rugby Concepts
Let's take a trip down memory lane to the Indian Cricket League (ICL), a bold venture by media mogul Subhash Chandra. This league, launched in 2007, was a trailblazer, featuring the cream of cricket talent in a T20 format. Legends like Kapil Dev, Brian Lara, and Inzamam-ul-Haq graced its inaugural edition, with a grand finale that had all the glitz and glamour of Bollywood.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wasn't buying it. They publicly dismissed the ICL as a 'veterans' series', banned players from participating, and even convinced other countries to follow suit. And then, BCCI launched the Indian Premier League (IPL), an almost identical concept, which has since become the biggest tournament in cricket, raking in billions in media rights.
Rowena Samarasinhe, former CEO of the proposed World 12s rugby event, believes rugby can learn from this. "It took time, but now the IPL is an integral part of cricket's landscape," she says.
World 12s: Rugby's Disruptor?
World 12s aimed to be rugby's answer to the IPL, with a three-week, 12-a-side tournament featuring rugby's biggest names. The event, backed by ambassadors like Kieran Read and Schalk Burger, promised players earnings of over £250,000 for a month's work. But despite the allure of big money and a new format, World 12s failed to get off the ground.
"The concepts will keep coming," Samarasinhe warns, "unless rugby takes the initiative, like the BCCI did."
The Chicken-and-Egg Challenge
The challenge for any rugby startup, like World 12s and R360, is a classic case of the chicken-and-egg dilemma. Investors want player commitment before they invest, while players want financial guarantees before they sign up. Samarasinhe faced this dilemma head-on, fielding interest from over 500 players, but she was cautious about putting players at risk until the path to success was clear.
The End of World 12s
World 12s struggled to find support from national unions, and the 12-a-side format, not being part of the official law book, complicated matters. In October 2021, World Rugby effectively ended World 12s' hopes by stating they didn't wish to explore the concept further.
R360: A Bigger, Bolder Vision
Unlike World 12s, R360 has a more expansive vision, with a global itinerary spanning five months. It plans to sign players permanently from clubs, potentially disrupting the existing domestic game. R360 consulted with Samarasinhe over a year ago, but she remains unconvinced.
"How will they fill stadiums in Miami and other glamorous locations?" she asks. "Will people travel for it, or will they rely on locals? I think they might have underestimated that challenge."
The Future of Rugby
R360 is hoping to tap into the appetite for new, disruptive events, especially in cities like Los Angeles. But staying stagnant isn't an option, according to Samarasinhe. "We need to do something different," she concludes.
So, will R360's ambitious vision take flight, or will it stumble like World 12s? The future of rugby's calendar might just depend on it.
What's your take on these rugby startups? Do you think they can revolutionize the sport, or are they destined to fall short? Let's discuss in the comments!
