Fans insist Georgia are popular choice for belated 'Eight Nations' invite
The proposed ‘Eight Nations’ tournament that was expected to take place this autumn has hit a new major obstacle, with reports emerging that Japan will no longer participate in the competition and creating a vacancy that might potentially be filled by Georgia – if online rugby fans have their way.
Safety concerns amid the Covid-19 pandemic are the reason behind Jamie Joseph’s side withdrawing. The two-pool tournament which starts in November was set to include Japan and Fiji alongside the usual Six Nations teams, but now organisers will be left to figure out what to do.
One alternative that seems to be popular already is to invite Georgia into the competition, an option that some were bemused had not been taken from the start.
The Eastern Europeans are a team that have been knocking on the door of the Six Nations for some time – and this may finally give them a foot in the door.
Source at JRFU says #BraveBlossoms will NOT travel to Europe in autumn to play in proposed 8-Nations tournament, citing concerns of #COVID?19 infection, and problems with coaching staff returning to Japan to arrange camps.#rugbyjp https://t.co/oGCZw5unMs
— Rich Freeman (@FreemanrugbyJPN) August 27, 2020
Japan refused an invitation to the 8 Nations tournament in Europe. As they can't travel due to COVID.
Another chance for @GeorgianRugby to get in the tournament? It will be huge for Georgian rugby, not only for playing reasons, but it will help rugby in Georgia survive.
— ???? | Luka ?? (@luka_chiti) August 27, 2020
If Japan can't travel, can Georgia be involved instead (if safe for players and staff)? ?? https://t.co/DQUgPXMg5R
— Eléna de M H (@MelloHog) August 27, 2020
Such a plan is nothing more than wishful thinking at the moment – and nothing official has been confirmed about the future of this proposed tournament.
It is not even clear whether Georgia would want to take part in the competition at the eleventh hour. Moreover, after years of striving to have a chance of joining the Six Nations, it would be even more frustrating to fleetingly be involved in an off-shoot of the Six Nations and then discarded.
Can't say I'm suprised. Imagine Fiji must be thinking & feeling the same.
A 'Super 7' anyone?
Chance for likes or Georgia? https://t.co/ar6tRX5lZ1
— John Pearce ??????? (@JPearce_JP) August 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/sussexfox1/status/1298964294168702977?s=20
Disappointing but understandable, wonder if anyone will think of inviting Georgia instead and help them out?
— Doug L (@dougl84) August 27, 2020
But after years of stagnation and torpor with regards to Georgia’s inclusion in the Six Nations, there would be no better way to speed up the process and force the organisers into action if they produced a strong showing at this ‘Eight Nations’, which would undoubtedly be at the back of their minds should they be invited to participate.
For what was already a tournament organised in unique and testing circumstances in what has been a rollercoaster of a rugby year, Japan’s “No” is yet another twist of fate. That, though, doesn’t mean there are no alternative options.
Comments on RugbyPass
Self proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
1 Go to commentsLate growth spurts are a common problem over here. I’m well over 30, and I just started having a growth spurt too. Could be a world class prop soon.
1 Go to commentsas much as the challenge cup is a bit of a nothing competition, winning it would still mean something. last year it was won by toulon, who are now something like 4th in the top 14? The year before it was won by Lyon a season before they finished 3rd in the league. The year before that the final was contested by Montpellier and Leicester - 12 months before they both became domestic champions. That should give Gloucester fans some hope.
1 Go to commentsgreat article - although I can’t help wonder whether the more relevant debate over coming years will be between Ford and Fin Smith!
2 Go to commentsMaking Scott Barrett captain might be a masterstroke….will calm him down & stop brain fades and also take pressure off Ardie, so he can just play his natural monster game. Lets see how that all pans out🧐
8 Go to commentsI’m surprised Scotland are planning to rest key players this summer - I don’t think any other tier 1 nation will be doing the same?
2 Go to commentsGreat analysis Brett and what a shame that RA haven't spent more on the tight five instead. BTW I see the latest 8-9 Combo has dropped, looking forward to that. It's incredible the amount of damage that Hamish and Eddie's egos did in such a short space of time. From memory Eddie drove the initial drive to poach league stars way back in the 00s, with community rugby paying the price in reduced funding. Australia went from 15% of its income being spent on community rugby in 2002 to 2.4% in 2015, sheer madness and look where they are now. Hamish reminds me of Scrappy Doo. Always mouthing off, spoiling for a fight with bigger dogs who'd eat him alive. Sadly RA didn't have a Scooby Doo to bail him out.
12 Go to comments*_“I love watching bone-shuddering tackles, brutal clear-outs, monster ball carries, and crushingly intense scrummaging. I love it. These things make my heart rate spike. These aren’t the only things I love about rugby, but I feel no need to pretend I don’t love them, or to apologise for loving them just in case someone thinks I shouldn’t.”_* beautifully put Flats🔥
3 Go to comments“Hidden comments” all over the place😂 Turlough’s been a busy little boy ey🤭
83 Go to commentsit’ll all be released in an autobiography a few years from now….. “Razor shafted me” blah blah blah. thinking of making Scott Barrett captain might be a good move. Could calm down his brain fades & make him an even better player for them
3 Go to commentsSadly he played far too many games too young. England and France really do need to look after their younger players better.
1 Go to commentsHaving finally been able to watch the first Chasing the Sun (thanks RugbyPass!) - because I refuse to pay DSTV's extortionate monthly fee in SA - after four years, it was amazing to see Mapimpi's story as well as seeing my personal hero, Rassie, breaking down when telling it. There _is_ hope for the country, but only once we've got rid of the crooked and incompetent ANC (and others) who have set out to destroy it. Viva Rassie, viva Kolisi viva rugby!
1 Go to commentsWhether true or not, all the best to you Sam Cane. A warrior of a player and a loyal servant to the ABs! Go get you some yen and have some fun.
3 Go to commentsThe game was changing too much with teams trying to role the dice drawing fouls. Would be better if scrums and the adjudicating problems were resolved but this is a good immediate fix.
42 Go to commentsLike many here I am encouraged by this post. Our forwards are where the real rewards and improvements must come from. With a 50/50 pack against any opposition, our backs could ensure more than 50% of the games will be won. We need Valetini at 6 and Cale at 8 to make the most or a good tight 5, McWright will add to the effectiveness of the pack BUT must get a very good tight 5 out there first.
121 Go to commentsThe key point I think that is missing is that if Joseph wants to guarantee a Lions spot, he really has to play wing in his first year. He is easily going to nail down whatever he wants to do, but with just half a season, how much of a factor he proves to be in the Lions series could be dictated by this initial choice of playing position.
12 Go to commentsthe game was 2 weeks before the challenge cup final. I really don’t believe they needed to rest that many players.
1 Go to commentsI really feel like neither of the Vunipolas is given the respect they deserve. I would have liked to see both of them get a few more caps than they have gotten in the past couple of years, but unfortunately the fact that they both peaked young has meant that for a number of years they have been perceived as disappointments. When they are both retired, in the cold light of day they will be recognised as two of the best players of their generation of any nation.
4 Go to commentsthis generation of saracens players could produce some really incredible coaches. When Farrell retires he could walk into any premiership team as a defence, attack, or kicking coach. Itoje could make it as a defence or a lineout coach, and Jamie George as a lineout or scrum coach. The problem the Vunipolas are going to have is that its not clear what their coaching speciality would be. Neither are great in the set piece, and while they were good in attack and defence, they were never tactical masterminds. Perhaps contact skills would be their ideal brief? Mako perhaps could work in strength & conditioning, but Billy has a bit of a reputation for not taking that side of the game seriously.
4 Go to commentsA very good player.We are finally getting some balance in our team. Plummer..Heem ..Lam a solid..experienced combo who take the sensible options consistently. Clarke was a grt impact of the bench option until Lam moved to 13 to replace an injured Reiko. Cotter is doing a grt job building his team. .
1 Go to comments