How many PI players are playing around the world in different clubs and competitions? How many are playing for other countries in this world cup? Per capita, the pacific islands are probably the biggest contributor to rugby in terms of players and often, they produce the players that bums in seats around the world. From Jonah Lomu to the Tuilagi brothers to Tana Umaga to Digby Ioane to Jerry Collins to Reupeni Caucaunibuca.....these countries produce natural rugby excitement machines on a consistent basis. There has to be more to rugby than just making a dollar and acknowledging these countries' contribution by financially supporting them, necessary only because they are in essence 3rd world countries, should be a part of that.
Otherwise, you run the risk of losing or ruining something pretty special in the rugby community.
Paul Ackford wrote an interesting article showing that something like 20% of the players in the RWC were PI'ers. But also showing how many of teh samoan side werent actually samoans (cant remember, think it was samoans, though may have been all PIs), so it is an interesting mix.
Whilst I agree with your sentiments I would argue with this point.
There has to be more to rugby than just making a dollar and acknowledging these countries' contribution by financially supporting them, necessary only because they are in essence 3rd world countries, should be a part of that.
Sorry but rugby went pro, sentimentality is out of the window. Either these sides can survive and flourish in a professional environment or they cant, artificially propping them up not only doesnt help the game it hinders it. Money that could be used to bring the game on in countries that would then support themselves and eventually start giving back to the rugby world - so allowing further growth, would instead be used to allow the game to stagnate by artificially enhancing the prospects of a few countries we feel should be allowed to be 'there'.
Already these teams get the benefits of money from other countries, if indirectly, by clubs paying these players and getting them up to fitness and skill sets required. To then pump money in to allowing them to play a few tests vs the big boys that will cost the IRB money AND the host country money (the games are unlikely to be a sell out, and in the UK player access costs money through participation agreements) seems rather counter intuitive when we are talking about the growth of rugby around the globe.
Spending money to grow the game is 100% the right thing to do. Spending money to help out teams because we feel some sort of obligation to them when teh reality is all we are doing is artifically propping them up is simply harming the game.
I love teh attitude of the PI teams, their approach and love of rugby. But I dont think throwing money at them will do much good for the game
