Modern game 'in crisis'

Wales fitness coach Andrew Hore is concerned about an increase in injuries caused by the brutal nature of the modern game and the intensity of the fixture list.

Hore believes the structure of the calendar has to change if the smaller nations are going to eradicate the growing problem of injuries and be able compete on a level playing field with the likes of New Zealand, South Africa, England and France.

He wants to see a more structured fixture list with better player management as more and more players suffer injury.

His comments come as Wales prepare to face South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday without six of their injured Lions.

The latest of those casualties is Brent Cockbain, who is sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a serious hamstring injury in the narrow 11-10 victory over Fiji last Friday.

That and ankle injuries to prop Chris Horsman, flanker Dafydd Jones and wing Kevin Morgan have forced coach Mike Ruddock to delay naming his side for nearly 24 hours until tomorrow lunchtime.

And that has left Hore handing out his doomsday scenario about the state of world rugby, claiming the situation will only get better if the players get together to force a change.

“The countries that are going to get affected most are the smaller nations, like the Celtic League nations, with small playing populations,” warned Hore.

“We are in a crisis. There is no doubt about it, and it’s only going to get worse.

“It’s not going to change until the Welsh regions get better medical cover, and until we appreciate that players take far more impact than they ever have before.

“It’s going to get worse because the likes of New Zealand and South Africa are appreciating that and instead of fielding tired teams they are giving their players the conditioning time that is going to make them bigger, faster and stronger.

“So we are going out there and having to come up against bigger and more physical sides all the time.

“There was a report that was given to David Moffett (Welsh Rugby Union’s group chief executive) which we haven’t heard much more about. I think that is because there needs to be a significant change in the season in the northern hemisphere.

“(The report said) Twenty five per cent of English players are out injured at any one time in the Guinness Premiership.

“And we in Wales are now playing a grade of rugby with regards the Powergen Cup, the Celtic League and the Heineken Cup where our players are getting to get smashed as much as them.”

Hore, who leaves the WRU at the end of the month to take up a post with the New Zealand Academy, has suggested a restructuring of the current fixtures to include three European conferences of 12 to 16 teams each, without any domestic rugby, and to have no promotion or relegation.

And he is also promoting better management of players regarding the physical side of the game, although he believes it will take player power to bring it about.

“At the moment there is a far greater, more intense rugby calendar and we need to make sure the players are well protected and looked after with regards to things like gyms and medical cover so they can get their injuries dealt with quickly,” added Hore.

“It’s going to have to take the players to change it. And I would go as far to say that the players’ associations need to get their acts together and look at the collective bargaining power they have across the Six Nations.

“We need to stop being held to ransom by the Englands and Frances of this world, so Italy, Scotland, Ireland and Wales can compete effectively at both European and international levels.

“The players need to be more proactive because it is their game.

“I’m not asking them to be selfish; I’m asking them to be selfless. I want them to ask what’s best for the seven-year-old boy putting his boots on now.

“That might mean they have to be more proactive with regards their actions on making the game better for everyone.”