NOT SURE
I LOVE innovation, and clever ideas which are groundbreaking – without them we would never have gone to the moon. Coming back down to Earth, and the future of Rugby Union, the idea behind the 12s concept announced recently is above all about making money.
I don't decry capitalism, or innovation, in sport, but it should be remembered that everyone goes out to win in this game, whether amateur or pro, and that entertainment is a bye product.
One of the the biggest entertainment innovations in sport has been the IPL in cricket, which has been a huge success and moneyspinner. It is a great concept but it is very hard to replicate in other sports.
If rugby wants to be more entertaining the only thing that World Rugby needs to do is to reduce the tactical substitutions. The remedy has been staring it in the face for ten years.
As a concept 12s is attractive enough. For the players and coaches coming to the end of their careers, the financial rewards will be appealing, as will the idea of having all the great players alongside each other.
The problem is finding a place for it in a heavily congested season, and competing with international and club rugby for players, and the conflict that could bring.
A 30-minute game format will inevitably ramp-up intensity, and even with fewer players on the pitch you will get more and bigger collisions.
The message to World Rugby is to sort out the subs issue quickly, and the game will be reborn.
