A New Radical WRU Proposal - Welsh Rugby News

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

For anyone who wants to support me and the channel my Buy me a coffee link is bellow. Thank you so much :D www.buymeacoffee.com/CKTquizzer

[@gallois3]

Great vid Christian. We’re all looking for a sustainable model, so gleaning the best from other nations eg Ireland etc. is the way forward. There will be hiccups and disagreements but that’s part of the process, what’s better short term / long term, budget constraints, player welfare & career management, loyalty to regions, … There is no magic wand to make it all happen overnight, that we can agree on!

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Thank you very much😊 Yes, it certainly can be a good step in the right direction to a more sustainable gaming Wales, which is obviously crucial My only worry is that the WRUs track record has not been good so put a lot of extra power in their hands is obviously a bit dicey but I suppose we need to give the new government body an opportunity to write the wrongs of the past. Maybe 🤷🏻‍♂️😬😂

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Christian , Yeh.... bit of a tricky one, i would hate to lose a region and home grown players like you were saying, a player born in Newport done his training from school age play for the team and being with Newport from day one and by the age of 24 you got to leave your home team and we need you at the Scarlets your heart would sink rock bottom and probably not play your best.I remember this with George North towards the end playing in England ( my minds gone blank the team he played for ) you can see George's heart was not in the game I know he was knocked out a few times might have knocked his confidence but when George came home and played he was on top form back to the George North we knew and I notice this also when George was playing for Wales especially in the 2019 6N and the 2019 world cup. The regions should not have to foot the bill ,but 20% and keep all four regions is a tricky one It would be great shame to lose a team. But if it is 20% so be it and keep all teams. Like I said many a time where has the WRU money gone since 2019. On a different note my mates grandson who left RGC in Colwyn Bay to go to Hong Kong to be a rugby physio has come back home his girlfriend misses home and come back to Gresford, Wrexham and back at Colwyn Bay RGC and playing again in his No.10 position and kicking again. As always great to hear from you Take care

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Cheers Sean he has a real tricky one and I quite like your job north example (he played for Northampton) I do understand the players can veto the move if they want, but I’m not sure if that would have other consequences if you get what I mean I’m still on the fence for this one. I don’t really know what to think. I’m reading everyone’s comments. It feels like 5050 split at the moment. Oh, that’s great. What’s his name mate? I’ll keep an eye out for him.

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

@@TheWelshSportsPodcast Hi Christian, No,10 or 22 Dany Cross

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Ok mate I’ll keep an eye out for him. Cheers 👍🏼

[@tim.jenkins75]

I think the future is in the super rugby league.... keep that league full of acadamy players and we got 150 players ready to Step up on lower wages....so low burden but still franchised ..... so far the rugby has been pretty good too.....

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I think it’s a good point and I’ve certainly enjoyed the game so far as you say a standard has been good to. Let’s hope it continues🙏🏼

[@clivesilver463]

I think for the first time the WRU are trying to do something positive, we are at rock bottom and its going to take time to build up support for our grass roots youth and regional rugby to flourish, but its a start, success breeds sucsess, you only have to look at the Irish model to see that, it didn't happen overnight but was built over years. I hope they keep the 4 regions, Dragons have impressed me this year, a team with limited resources fighting hard on the pitch, on the international front we must win at least 2 of the games in November I think its vital more that any time before,

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I do see the positives, but I also have my reservations to me. It just seems like a blatant power grab capitalising on the tough position that the regions find themselves in Worth mentioning that most of the unions took the Covid debt upon themselves but the WRU chose to saddle it on the regions which makes it a bit naughty that they’re offering to relieve them of that day if you get what I mean I’m just not sure 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Keizer_Soze]

holy crap, dude! is that sunlight i see on your sweater?! 😁

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

😂😂😂 Must have been an optical illusion

[@Keizer_Soze]

@@TheWelshSportsPodcast 😆👍

[@davidpearn2484]

Thanks

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Thank you so much David. You’re a very kind gent 👍🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@davidpearn2484]

Keep going boyo 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿, wales will get there in Gats we trust.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I hope so mate. What you think of this proposal ?

[@paulroberts9628]

They’re still not getting people going through the door!

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah great point. Maybe they’re hoping it creates more success and in turn that will attract more bums in seats?

[@DavidShort-q1d]

Whether the WRU should have put the initial debt on the regions .Is really a mute point now They did and the regions had to cope with it Now the plan is for the WRU to take on all the debt for a stake of 20% in each region. Considering they already virtually own Cardiff and the Dragons i can't see this proposal making alot of difference Christian you already have mentioned the upside of the arrangement for the club/region and the national team one more upside is with the WRU actually having a stake in each region central funding may increase [we can hope ] for myself i would support them fully funding two regions and funding the other two less [As they did in Ireland] Who knows if one /two regions become highly competitive in the URC and EUROPE crowds may return in huge numbers Which means those regions make profits and the WRU can then start to fully fund the other regions Im afraid Christian that's the only long term solution i can see to Welsh rugby's problems

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah I take your points totally and if this is what it’s going to take to make Welsh rugby competitive then I guess it’s the only option I guess my main worry is the WRU time and time again I’ve proven that they’re not really fit to run the show the way I’m positive but the New group in charge may have a better handle on things

[@alunthomas9501]

I think being in the urc, the 4 regions need to try and get global sponsorship as well as local sponsorship. I think the Irish success has come from global sponsors. Even the sa franchises have global sponsors. We need to look outward as opposed to inward thinking. Clearly, this deal is just another attempt of control over the 4 regions. Think a step away from the wru controling the budget overall isn't a bad thing. Less control by them hopefully will lead to better deals for the 4 regions. I will make my point in this manner . Everygrand slam leads to a big payout for the winning team. As far as I'm aware , the dept of the principality stadium is settled. So why are they pouring money into a hotel as opposed to better quality budgeting the 4 regions. Think of the success of the wales side over recent years.That hasn't come from the top brass but the players on the field. The wru are very guilty of stating they're successful over recent years but haven't used that money to further advance the regions successfully. As long as the results have gone the right way, they have squandered their own budget, and let's be honest, there's not a lot to show for the success is there. So, giving them more control isn't an option for me.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Great comment mate thank you Yeah, I basically second more or less everything you’ve said the opportunities that we earned when we had that successful period were clearly squandered no doubt on nice days out and bonuses for the people “ running the WRU“ They did not make hay when the Sun was shining and now the success is dried up we fallen in difficult times. Like you their track record concerns me and given them more power doesn’t sound particularly appealing but the only caveat I put to that is this seems to be a sea change at the very top and on the surface things seem a lot more focused and transparent. Whether that last is another thing, but either way like you said I would hesitate taking more autonomy away from the regions.

[@juanfabulous]

Stage one of making a Cardiff super club.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Fair point

[@MyLittlePiranhaFish1]

Balanced video, I'm a neutral when it comes to which region i support (Gog). I can see both sides of the argument. I think that Gats and WRU getting a say in a players position or region, etc, is ok, but they shouldn't get to override the head coach, the CEO or the players wishes. It's gonna be a heated debate!

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Thank you, do you follow RGC or are you not close to there? Yeah I can too. Not sure I like the WRU having more power but on the other hand more joined up strategy should help everyone 🤷🏻‍♂️ It’s a tough one

[@MyLittlePiranhaFish1]

@@TheWelshSportsPodcast I do, slightly to far to go see them often, but try and keep up with their games. Could easily go either way.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah that’s fair. Slightly frustrating that the options just aren’t there for you guys up north. It’s such a shame

[@justinthomas6942]

They should of made the repayments more affordable over longer term so it wouldn't sting the boys wages so hard.. WRU are looking at the Irish model but instead of evenly spread the talent around the clubs I fear they will just create a super club wich is basically the Welsh team in club form. Wether that would be a good thing trophy wise and give the Welsh team more playing time together OR will it just leave the other 3 regions playing with players who aren't invested enough into effectively leaving them behind?

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah I guess that’s one of the biggest issue. It’s hard to trust the WRU to do anything right give me track record. I’m not sure what the answer is to be honest. I’m still banging on the middle of the fence 😂

[@denismoran670]

Well, I hope they are goingto continue with the fixed WRU rules: 1.Don't mention women's rugby 2.Don't publish any information about women's fixtures,especially internationals 3.Keep poor selection of women's coaches in place,and 4.Don't ask them to spell tramlines, touch or wings in their interiews. 5. Maintain the culture of failure that is prevalent, and sack those evil playrs who are trying to make their games a success(er,so that's ALL the playrs against the twpsins in the WRU) 6.Get rid ofthe international sign for cowardice, the white feathers, and Keep 'I grovel' for the WRU kiss-the-sais-ass' for upper management 7.Adopt 'Yma o hyd' as a slogan1

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Fair play Denis, very passionate response. I have to say, I don’t watch an awful lot of women’s rugby so I don’t like to comment without having a full range of knowledge otherwise I’d come across as a Fraud I do agree with is the complete lack of promotion of the women’s game especially on social media where they are shit hot are posting anything when it’s regards to the men’s side of things which to be honest is just poor and there’s no excuse. And quite frankly, it just doesn’t make sense. I also agree that Cunningham’s ran his race. He made a impact when he first came in, but it’s clear that he’s not up to the standards that I guess we thought he was and we clearly regressing as the other nations are getting better and it certainly seems like the WRU are adopting a bit of a hand off approach to the women’s game, which is again strange Yeah, I agree Yma O Hyd🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Ir Gad ✊🏼

[@rogerellis7939]

Scrap the Moffat's regions, scrap the 25 cap rule. Scrap the hierarchy at the WRU, not value for money. Aussy union rugby is struggling badly financially, bet they don't ask Moffat to sort it. Welsh rugby has been going down the wrong path for a long time.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

What would you like to see instead?

[@rogerellis7939]

@TheWelshSportsPodcast back to the future. The Regions gates are simply awful. The Wales team should be the elite and players need to be aspirationally elite to get in it. From wherever they play.

[@KevinThomas-kxtphotography]

WRU has no idea on how to organise Rugby in Wales, the Regions are not up to scratch and the International Team has not grown and developed. The rest of Rugby has changed and developed Wales is stagnating. Rugby players are not like football players who go to the highest bidder. Central contracts will not work.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

Yeah I don’t really trust the WRU tbh. Their track record kind of speaks for itself doesn’t it 😂 Not really sure what the answer is mate but things can’t continue how they are 😬

[@KevinThomas-kxtphotography]

@@TheWelshSportsPodcast They are going to have to borrow the structure and ethos from New Zealand again, they changed direction in 2022, it is well documented. WRU cut the clubs adrift many years back, the likes of Pontypridd Bridgend Llanelli and Neath were power houses of the game. The funding went to the regions, Swansea plays to minuscule crowds, Llanelli represents the whole of Wales to the North, Cardiff is Cardiff, Newport? It is shocking. I cannot see it improving in the near future especially if the WRU try and control the Regions in the same way they have recently announced they want to control the clubs. Basically there is not enough money to support the current structure. They are going to have to refocus and get the Team and Regions sorted, possibly two regions and strengthen the club structure.

[@mikejones8892]

The WRU needs to reduce the professional teams to two any other reorganisation will be doomed to failure. Also I know that this will be unpopular and unlikely to be done so the future of Welsh rugby is bleak. A poor analysis the problem lies with the obstinacy of the regions. Wales is a small country Carmarthen to Newport is what 90 miles.

[@TheWelshSportsPodcast]

I guess the issue will always be size of regions in the aspect of population, which of course, then translates generally to less money in those areas I don’t know what the answer is if I’m being totally honest I would hate to see us lose any teams at all but as you said is it even sustainable? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

I was thinking about this today. Leinster has a bigger population than South Wales and just one really good team. Leinster is the equivalent of Wales.