{"id":8934,"date":"2023-10-16T08:50:13","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T07:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/?p=8934"},"modified":"2023-10-16T08:50:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T07:50:13","slug":"issue-25-rugby-world-cup-group-stage-needs-to-rethink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/issue-25-rugby-world-cup-group-stage-needs-to-rethink\/","title":{"rendered":"Issue 25 – Rugby World Cup group stage needs to rethink"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rugby World Cup group stage needs to rethink<\/h2>
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The Rugby World Cup group stage is finally at an end. On top of issues created from\u00a0drawing the groups too early<\/a>, the first round has suffered from its predictability and length. Just 4 of the 40 games resulted in an underdog winner, 2-3 times less than comparable competitions, and the month-long stage has felt stop-start.<\/p>\n

Both of these issues are a function of rugby\u2019s physicality. It is unreasonable to expect Chile to compete with England with a fraction of their resources, and players also require a week\u2019s rest between games.<\/p>\n

But alternative formats could help World Rugby meet the tournament\u2019s dual objectives of growing the game and entertaining fans.\u00a0Swiss-style formats can bring jeopardy to win margins<\/a>, or 3-team groups for the 24-team 2027 World Cup could strike a better balance between these objectives.<\/p>\n

As for the current World Cup, its legacy now rests on a compelling knockout stage.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
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<\/span><\/span><\/div>
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By Omar Chaudhuri<\/b><\/span><\/a>
\n Chief Intelligence Officer<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>
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<\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Rugby World Cup group stage is finally at an end. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":8936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nIssue 25 - Rugby World Cup group stage needs to rethink - Twenty First Group Limited<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Rugby World Cup group stage is finally at an end. 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