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Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
View from Down Under: The Lions are very welcome guests, but they could do their hosts more harm than good
Since the arrival of the British and Irish Lions in Australia three weeks ago, the sword of Damocles has been hovering over the heads of the Wallabies and never more so than in the Test week. The Lions are a unique guest to host. On the positive side of the ledger, their visit comes once every 12 years and they come laden with financial benefits, attention for rugby and some of the finest players in the world. However, this guest is also keenly aware of their own value and the desire from others to host them at any time. French Rugby Federation vice-president Abdel Benazzi is reportedly travelling to Melbourne next week to engage with Lions officials about the suitability of hosting the world's most famous touring team. It's hard to blame the former flanker, given that his federation is facing a minimum loss of €19.2 million, potentially rising to €28.9 million after hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The romanticism of the Lions and its rich tradition has faded, replaced by cold, clear financial returns for both host and guest. According to the Australian Financial Review, the last Lions tour made €19.5 million profit for Rugby Australia and this tour could make more than €55 million. It is not yet clear what the Lions' profit will be, but comfortably, it will be far higher than previous tours of New Zealand and South Africa. READ MORE Slow Lions build-up finally culminates in Test week Listen | 37:54 If Australia has appeased the Lions with its financial clout, the Wallabies also need to fulfil the far more challenging role of being a competitive opponent in the Test series. A brutal whitewash will leave Rugby Australia far weaker at the negotiating table. At this stage, the Lions are not contractually locked into visiting the country again in 12 years' time. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt always knew he was facing the biggest challenge of his coaching career when he left his fishing rod and golf clubs in his garage at home in New Zealand to help save Australian rugby. Injuries to two of the most crucial parts of his Test jigsaw have made the job even more difficult. In Australia, traditionally, the Wallabies outhalf has been a role with a limited shelf life. Schmidt changed this by investing in Noah Lolesio, who blossomed under the former Ireland coach. After the narrow win against Fiji, Lolesio sadly underwent a spinal fusion procedure in a Brisbane hospital. Schmidt has now handed the playmaking keys to Tom Lynagh, son of the great Michael. Tom Lynagh has only played three Tests for the Wallabies and is now trusted as the man to pilot his country to victory in the city where his father remains a legend. Rob Valetini is Australia's best ball carrier but will be absent for the Lions tests through injury. Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Inpho The Wallabies have also lost their best ball-carrier, Rob Valetini, to injury. The giant flanker has been voted Australia's best player for the past two years. The Brumbies backrower complements the slick jackaling ability of Queensland's open side Fraser McReight perfectly. Valetini shovels opponents off the ball at the breakdown, allowing McReight to swiftly win penalties on the floor. [ Gordon D'Arcy: Time for Lions and Wallabies to leave the 'meh' behind and make some real magic Opens in new window ] Valetini is suffering from a calf strain and is joined on the treatment table by the mutual heft of La Rochelle lock Will Skelton and the Waratahs' best player this season, number eight Langi Gleeson. Schmidt has been forced to give a debut to the uniquely named Nick Champion de Crespigny. De Crespigny is an elite economics graduate and the grandson of Rafe Champion de Crespigny, a noted expert in ancient Chinese history. His aristocratic name and bearing belie an intensely physical player who McReight affectionately referred to as 'a psycho' when asked for a description for the gathered press. Australia's injury problems have led coach Joe Schmidt to call on Nick Champion de Crespigny. Photograph:The Wallabies traditionally have a strong record at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, but they will start this game as huge underdogs. The Lions have named a strong side, and off the field, there have been changes. All written press are now banned from the 10 minutes they used to get to watch the Lions training, although the Wallabies have not changed their policy. [ Farrell and Schmidt announce their opening hands as atmosphere builds in Brisbane Opens in new window ] At the Lions team announcement last Thursday in Adelaide ahead of the ill-fated game against the Australian and New Zealand selection, a child tried to ask a question, before being shut down by team management. Business before pleasure. To their credit, the Lions have started to open up slightly, hosting signing sessions in Brisbane for their thousands of fans and also despatching the amiable trio of Henry Pollock, Duhan van der Merwe and Josh van der Flier for the tough gig of being hosted by the Great Barrier Reef foundation on the famous coral. The preamble has almost been completed and the first Test is set. Australia are desperate to be perfect hosts, but they need to prove it where it matters most; not on spreadsheets, but on the pitch. In a country where rugby is frequently said to be hanging by a thread, a win against the odds in the first Test would be the true kiss of life.
Wales Online
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
All Black launches live TV rant at 'disrespectful' France
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info All Blacks legend Justin Marshall has heavily criticised France for sending a vastly underpowered squad to New Zealand this summer. The average age of the French squad is just over 25, with head coach Fabien Galthie deciding to leave out 20 'premium' internationals for the Test series against the All Blacks. That means the likes of Romain Ntamack, Damien Penaud and Gregory Alldritt will be staying at home this summer. Speaking on Sky Sports New Zealand's 'Breakdown' show, Marshall labelled their decision to leave out key players as "complete BS". The French Rugby Federation (FFR) and National Rugby League (LNR), who are in charge of the clubs, agreed in October last year that players who feature in the Top 14 final cannot take part in the mid-year internationals. This was an amendment to Galthie's premium player policy that rested players key to the national set-up, regardless of where they finished. With Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles taking part in the Top 14 final last weekend, that means a large chunk of elite French players could not be selected for the summer's tour. "To be honest, I'm really disappointed, the way the side that the French have brought is clearly underpowered, the average age of 25 ,the average number of caps is 9.3," Marshall told The Breakdown on Sky Sports. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. "This is a side that has a very little amount of experience and then at the end of the day, 49% of the players have got no caps at all. So it's a development team with a few senior players involved. "In my mind, it's complete BS the way that they're treating this tour, the way that the French always seem to have come up with excuses to not bring their top players, I feel they disrespect the international window. "I'm not going to say that it's not going to be a contest out there, but our fans deserve to see their best players playing in our country against our All Blacks because we do that in November to them, we send our very best players for filling their stadiums and giving the fans the best experience they can get by seeing the best players in the world. "They are not doing that and if they keep doing this, which is quite regular for them, just don't invite them. We'll play someone else, it's still going to be a good series, and they'll be competitive, and they've got depth. "But the reality is, they've left 70% of their best players in France, and I just don't feel that that is within the decency and the respect of the game." Watch the clip below. Speaking to L'Equipe, Galthie clarified why France do this. "We follow a hundred players. But above all we have identified a 'premium' group of 20 players," he said. "We want them to have consistent development. We want to work hand-in-hand with the league and the clubs. Our goal is for players to be able to give the best of themselves in the French team, but also in club. We want to go further while taking into account the challenges of the clubs. "Players will benefit from four mandatory weeks off and four weeks without matches." Galthie also argues that northern hemisphere players take part in seven or more games than their southern hemisphere counter-parts, which means Les Bleus feel they must manage the workload to avoid injury. (Image: (Photo by)) Conversely, French players reportedly do not agree with this policy, and view a tour New Zealand as a unique opportunity. "He's run into some real opposition over that from his own players," commentator Tony Johnson told Sport Nation's Afternoons with Staffy. "They want to come on this tour. They still see a series in New Zealand against the All Blacks as one of the ultimate challenges in rugby - perhaps the ultimate challenge outside of the World Cup." When this system was implemented by France in October, New Zealand Rugby even asked World Rugby for clarity around the rules, with regulation nine stating that players must be made available for international windows.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
French rugby official calls India's franchise rugby league an 'interesting try'
Christophe Reigt, general manager of the French Rugby Federation and part of France's gold medal-winning rugby sevens contingent at the Paris Olympics, described India's new Rugby Premier League as 'an interesting try' and a development worth watching closely. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Reigt, who visited Mumbai to observe the ongoing tournament, noted that the league's format, structure, and player participation model mark a notable shift in how rugby sevens is typically played. 'This is a very new product of rugby sevens, and we were keen to find out what is happening,' Reigt said, adding that the franchise-based model, along with the structure of teams playing one match per day, offers players much-needed recovery time—something rarely seen in the fast-paced sevens circuit. The league has featured top-tier international names, including Olympic and World Cup veterans, alongside Indian players who have shown promise through the tournament. Reigt highlighted this interaction as a vital opportunity for local talent. 'Indian players are able to play with some of the best international players and gain an understanding of the level and calibre required at the top,' he said. Among the standout Indian performers is Javed Hussain, who currently ranks among the top try-scorers in the league. Reigt sees such exposure as a stepping stone. 'This is a first step for Indian players to stay more in touch with high-level rugby. Hopefully, they will continue to get more opportunities like this throughout the year,' he said. Reigt also welcomed the fact that the international calendar had made space for the league, allowing high-profile players to participate. 'It's a very good idea to have international stars showcasing the sport at a high level—it's an interesting way of developing Indian rugby,' he said.
India Gazette
26-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
French Rugby Union's Christophe Reigt terms RPL as
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 26 (ANI): There has been a buzz, and heads have been turning in the world of rugby. All thanks to the unique nature of the competition that is the Rugby Premier League (RPL) - a first-ever franchise-based Rugby Sevens tournament in the world. The who's who from the rugby fraternity are part of this revolutionary movement, and keeping a close eye on proceedings was Christophe Reigt, General Manager, French Rugby Federation. Interestingly, France's men's rugby sevens team had won the Olympic Gold medal during the Paris Olympics, with Christophe being a part of the contingent. 'For us, at the French Rugby Federation, it was very important to come and see the Rugby Premier League in India, because it is a very new product of Rugby Sevens, and we were keen to find out what is happening,' said Christophe, who is considered to be one of the foremost thinkers in the game as quoted from a press release from RPL. 'What's special in the RPL is that the league is trying a new format. And there is time for recovery for the players too, as they are playing one game a day. This is a very new thing in Rugby Sevens, and it is very interesting for the people who are involved to watch this unfold. The franchise model is new, and it is different for sure,' the Frenchman explained. The RPL has produced some scintillating performances from the legends such as Akuila Rokolisoa and Jerry Tuwai. And in Christophe's book, this is one of the best things about the tournament, as there is high-quality rugby on display. This interestingly has been possible only after World Rugby put aside time on their calendar, so that the best of the best could make their way to India for the inaugural edition of the Rugby Premier League. 'It is very interesting to see that in India that there is a movement that Rugby India and Sports are anchoring to develop Rugby Sevens. It is a very good idea to have international stars and legends showcase the high level of the sport through the Rugby Premier League. It is very important and an interesting way of developing Indian Rugby. It is a very interesting try,' he added. Whilst some of the big international names have been front and centre in terms of the standout performances, the Indian players have also stepped up with some season-defining moments. One of the best performers in fact has been Javed Hussain for the Hyderabad Heroes, who is among the players with the most number of tries in the tournament. 'For the Indian players, they are able to play with the best international players, and have a better understanding of the level and calibre of rugby played at the highest levels. And they can share a lot of information on and off the field as well during the course of the month, which is very important.' 'This is a first step for the Indian players wherein they are more in touch with high-level rugby, and maybe through the year, in the future, the Indian players can get more experiences like the RPL, which will help their development,' he added. Reflecting on his time at the RPL and the tournament overall, Christophe said, 'From my trip, hopefully, I can take back some new ideas. It isn't that only the traditionally strong rugby-playing nations will have the best ideas. A good and new idea can from Indian Rugby as well.' (ANI)
News18
26-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Good Idea Can Come From India Too', Feels French Rugby Federation GM Christophe Reigt
Last Updated: Reigt, who was part of France's men's rugby sevens contingent that won the Olympic Gold, called the attempt to kindle the game in India a promising one. French Rugby Federation General Manager, Christophe Reigt, who has been monitoring the inaugural Rugby Premier League in India closely, opened up on the essence of the event and the reach of the sport in the sprawling peninsular nation. Reigt, who was part of France's men's rugby sevens contingent that won the Olympic Gold medal during the Paris Olympics, called the attempt to kindle the game in India a promising one. 'For us, at the French Rugby Federation, it was very important to come and see the Rugby Premier League in India, because it is a very new product of Rugby Sevens, and we were keen to find out what is happening," said Reigt. 'What's special in the RPL, is that the league is trying a new format. And there is time for recovery for the players too as they are playing one game a day," the Frenchman continued. 'This is a very new thing in Rugby Sevens, and it is very interesting for the people who are involved to watch this unfold. The franchise model is new, and it is different for sure," he added. A number of big-name players have featured in the opening edition of the RPL, and Reigt considers their participation crucial in expanding the reach of the sport in the country. 'It is very interesting to see that in India that there is a movement that Rugby India and GMR Sports is anchoring to develop Rugby Sevens. It is a very good idea also to have international stars and legends show case the high level of the sport through the GMR Rugby Premier League. It is very important and an interesting way of developing Indian Rugby. It is a very interesting try," he continued. Adding a coat of sheen to the event, Indian players have also stepped up with some season-defining displays which Reigt found to be of note worth. 'For the Indian players, they are able to play with the best international players, and have a better understanding of the level and calibre of rugby played at the highest levels. And they can share a lot of information on and off the field as well during the course of the month, which is very important," Reigt elucidated. 'This is a first step for the Indian players wherein they are more in touch with high-level rugby, and maybe through the year, in the future, the Indian players can get more experiences like the GMR RPL, which will help their development," he added. 'From my trip, hopefully, I can take back some new ideas. It isn't that only the traditionally strong rugby playing nations will have the best ideas. A good and new idea can come from Indian Rugby as well," he signed-off. First Published: June 26, 2025, 17:38 IST
