Not sure what to make of the answer to question 1. seems to me like the fresh start with a new global event is being pushed to far into the future. really it's needed between 2018 and 2020 to accelerate what growth there is and prevent stagnation or reverse of gains. I fear we are just in for a period of bilateral series between Aus, NZ and Eng up until 2023 which is not what the game needs.
My take on what the calendar will look like from this article
2017 world cup
2018 kangaroos rest year. bilateral tour Nz & england
2019 nines tournament
2020 bilateral tour. kangaroos go North?
2021 world cup
2022 kangaroos rest year. bilateral tour NZ and England
2023 federation cup
2024 England/GB tour Australia?
2025 world cup
Pretty pathetic if this were the case tbh and unfortunately I think it will be close to the mark.
What it should be like
2017 world cup
2018 tri nations Eng, Aus and Nz
2019 federation cup- hosted by France
2020-tri nations Eng, Aus and Nz. WC qualifiers
2021- world cup UK
2022- 2025 rinse and repeat with different hosts for fed cup.
The home and away tri nations format is key to giving the international game the exposure it needs in the big 3 tier one nations, allowing it to generate sponsorship, TV revenue and a high quality tournament. I would also have each of Aus, NZ and England playing a road game against a second tier side during the tri nations. with the tri nations reverting to the home and away format (without a Gf, which I beleive is unnecessary). the second tier nations would play in their respective Euro and pacific cups held bi-annually, perhaps with the involvement of 'A' sides from the tier one nations. the tournament preceding the world cup would double as world cup qualifying.
if a nines tournament is run it should NOT be at the expense of full internationals.
