Rugby​ Ascendant: the Premiere

03 Apr 2020

#Rugby​ #union​ faces an unprecedented crisis as it grapples with the #Wuhan​ #corona​ #virus​, #COVID​-19 which has forced the shutdown and cancellation of rugby all over the planet

We have lost Major league Rugby which wrapped up its 2020 season after five game. Six Nations, Super Rugby, Guinness #Pro14​, Hong Kong & Singapore 7s, 2020 #Olympic​ 7s are all suspended, postponed or cancelled. Now the summer #test​ series are in jeopardy. Test matches set for July may soon be cancelled.

The loss of games is disappointing for fans, but the loss of revenue is catastrophic for rugby unions.

Last week #USA​ Rugby filed Chapter 11 #bankruptcy​, Rugby #Australia​ is in a bind, I suspect #SARU​ too is in financial straights but they are not releasing their balance sheet. In South Africa, Western Province coach John #Dobson​ assured supporters that South African rugby clubs and SARU have prepared for the worst. You will pardon me if I am skeptical, as their balance sheets are not shared with the public.

Meanwhile World Rugby Chairman and & #England​ rugby legend Sir Bill #Beaumont​ and team are working with rugby unions that have strong financial positions and making plans to marshal World Rugby resources. While the governing body is in food shape, it cannot carry weak unions for an indefinite period.

The dire straights we find ourselves in is bringing out all sorts of suggestions like #Wallabies​ legend Tim #Horan​'s call for 75% salary reductions and kicking South Africa out of Super Rugby.

The biggest challenge here is we simply do not know when governments will end this forced, artificial shutdown of economic activity. Drastic actions like salary reductions are a sound approach for the near term. However, should this extend into the summer, we will likely begin to see professional rugby clubs fold around the planet.