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I think this is a bit rough, I agree with the principle that it is generally the Tier 1 Nations (hard to argue Italy v Samoa/Fiji etc though) who draw the crowds and add to the spectacle, but I think the discrepancy between Tier 1 and Tier 2/3 is far too great.
Something more along the lines of every Country recieving Aus $1-1.5m and then the Tier 1 sharing the surplus would be a fairer way to go and would be a more proactive way of developing the Code around the globe.
Minnows to cash in
John Daniell | September 15, 2007
EVEN before the first ball was kicked in Paris, 10 teams knew they would finish in front of their rivals in at least one respect at the World Cup.
In a new profit-sharing agreement, the IRB will make payouts to each of the tier-one nations (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) in recognition of their "substantial contribution to the tournament and the world game".
The IRB considers the exact figure confidential, but a source places the sum at pound stg. 3million ($7.2m) each.
Tier-two and tier-three nations competing will receive only the pound stg. 150,000 participation fee. Travel and accommodation expenses are met by the IRB.
"The senior unions lose significant revenue due to the cancellation of November Test matches," said IRB director of communications Greg Thomas, although this applies only to the northern hemisphere which hosts the southern hemisphere unions during the (northern) autumn.
"One country should not benefit from the tournament every four years ... this way there is an equalisation of the surplus to the key stakeholder unions," Thomas said.
Samoa moved from 11th to 10th place in the world rankings before the World Cup when Scotland, which receives 20 times more than Samoa's payment, slipped to 11th after a defeat by South Africa at Murrayfield on August 25.
It is not, though, about competitiveness but who represents the biggest draw for sponsors and broadcasters.
The tiny Pacific nation has benefited over the past two years from the high-performance structures put in place by the IRB. But Michael Jones, the former New Zealand flanker now coach of Samoa, is still frustrated at a perceived lack of support.
"We're grateful for what the IRB has done, but we need more," Jones said. "If rugby really wants to become a global sport, countries like ours need to have the opportunity of making it to the next level."
Some of the minnows have punched above their weight over the past week, despite an enormous disadvantage in talent and experience. Namibia, Portugal, Romania, Georgia, Canada and the United States will have taken heart from courageous showings.
Still, the fact remains that, apart from Wales in 1987, and Scotland in 1991, the tournament semi-finalists have come from a pool of five nations: England, New Zealand, Australia, France and South Africa.
The Times