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Next podcast guest: Brett Gosper - CEO OF THE IRB

Gagger

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Staff member
So tomorrow I've got 15 mins with the CEO of the IRB and Aussie rugby troubadour, Brett Gosper.

If you could ask him one question, what would it be? (the guy has only been in the job for 3 weeks)
 

The Red Baron

Chilla Wilson (44)
Wow, that's quite a coup there Gagger! Well done!

What regions have the IRB identified as development targets? And what is their plan in developing rugby in traditional non-rugby markets? (i.e., how are the IRB approaching the development of rugby in the USA and Eastern Europe?)
 

p.Tah

John Thornett (49)
1. What were the logistic issues that cause the Argentina leg of the IRB 7s to be cancelled?
2. What moves are Russia doing to make the 7s WC successful. They've picked a very big stadium to host the event, there isn't a huge amount of publicity in the country yet.
3. Rugby's heyday in Japan was in the 1980s/90s. It is not as popular as it once was and soccer (even women's soccer) has surpassed rugby in popularity. What are the IRB and Japanese Rugby doing to re-engage the population with the game ahead of the RWC in 2019?

GAGGER, I suspect that this podcast will be listened to quite widely. The G&GR team will have to be on their best behaviour. Perhaps drop 'thanks for letting us come in your ear' and 'from our upstanding organ' should be dropped' :) to be frank I wouldn't be upset if they disappeared all together.
 

Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
The RWC has grown since 1987 where a 1/4 final was held at Concord Oval to the massive showpiece that is was in 2011. Even though that was held in a Rugby Heartland country, it is claimed that NZ will not be able to afford to host another RWC. Is the RWC in danger of being crushed by its own success, and what avenues are being investigated to make the costs of hosting it more affordable?
 

Gagger

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Staff member
GAGGER, I suspect that this podcast will be listened to quite widely. The G&GR team will have to be on their best behaviour. Perhaps drop 'thanks for letting us come in your ear' and 'from our upstanding organ' should be dropped' :) to be frank I wouldn't be upset if they disappeared all together.

Thanks for the suggestions - they'll get due consideration
 

Tangawizi

Peter Fenwicke (45)
At the 2009 Bledisloe Cup in Tokyo, many of the locals had no idea what was going on out on the field. And many more didn't even know the game was on at all.

What steps are being taken to boost the profile of rugby in Japan? Any chance they'll participate in the Rugby Championship from say 2016?
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
At the 2009 Bledisloe Cup in Tokyo, many of the locals had no idea what was going on out on the field. And many more didn't even know the game was on at all.

What steps are being taken to boost the profile of rugby in Japan? Any chance they'll participate in the Rugby Championship from say 2016?

Surely it would be hard for Japan to play home games in August and September.

You'd be looking at evening temperatures of 25+ for games.
 

It is what it is

John Solomon (38)
Is there any recognition or acceptance by the IRB that they are in the entertainment business and not just overseeing a sport?
If YES, then what steps are they planning to take with the rules, so as to allow more attractive and entertaining rugby to be played?
 

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
1. What were the logistic issues that cause the Argentina leg of the IRB 7s to be cancelled?
2. What moves are Russia doing to make the 7s WC successful. They've picked a very big stadium to host the event, there isn't a huge amount of publicity in the country yet.
3. Rugby's heyday in Japan was in the 1980s/90s. It is not as popular as it once was and soccer (even women's soccer) has surpassed rugby in popularity. What are the IRB and Japanese Rugby doing to re-engage the population with the game ahead of the RWC in 2019?

GAGGER, I suspect that this podcast will be listened to quite widely. The G&GR team will have to be on their best behaviour. Perhaps drop 'thanks for letting us come in your ear' and 'from our upstanding organ' should be dropped' :) to be frank I wouldn't be upset if they disappeared all together.

Will the IRB intervene to get the Top League on a terrestrial TV station in Japan in order to build interest not only for the Top League but the game in general in the 7 years leading into their hosting of the RWC in 2019 to ensure its successful in terms of local turnout?
 

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
Earlier in the year (after the Las Vegas 7s) IRB development manager Mark Egan alluded to the IRB and USAR working with a group of investors in developing a Professional League in the United States. Any new news in this regard?
 

p.Tah

John Thornett (49)
The Pacific Islands produce some of the best rugby talent on the planet. They are one of the more exciting participants at the RWC. The NRL and AFL, have bulging bank accounts and have ear marked the islands as a new source for talent. What is the IRB doing to ensure the Islands remain Rugby heartlands? High performance Units are a great initiative but they don't engage the wider population. Is the Pacific Nations Cup enough? Do they need to be brought into the Rugby Championship as Argentina has? Do they need to be brought into Super Rugby?
 

kronic

John Solomon (38)
Any potential for a 4 Nations comp within the Pacific for the USA, Russia, Japan and Canada like the old "Super Powers Cup"?
 

wamberal

Phil Kearns (64)
Don't forget to tell him that rugby is absolutely booming in Australia, we are having our best season ever, crowds, ratings, sponsorship are all up, up, up.


Or you can tell him the truth.
 

FiveStarStu

Bill McLean (32)
Why do the referees hate front rowers? Do you hate front rowers? What did we ever do to you?

Also, ARU: Clusterf**k or complete clusterf**k?
 

Bowside

Peter Johnson (47)
Any potential for a 4 Nations comp within the Pacific for the USA, Russia, Japan and Canada like the old "Super Powers Cup"?

Will the annual 6 team (Japan, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, USA, Canada) 'pacific' cup competition that was mooted at the world cup come to fruition?
 
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