The “old farts” of World Rugby sit in their ivory towers in Dublin and dictate to the rest of the rugby world. They have little or no sympathy for thousands of rugby fans in Fiji who become innocent victims of a power trip to show who is charge of rugby. World Rugby does not have to show it is in charge. The governing council is structured in a way that the four so-called Home unions in the Northern Hemisphere have overbearing influence .

According to Wikipedia, the Council is composed of 28 members, representing eight unions (countries) with two votes each, four unions with one vote each, and six regional associations with one vote each. Council representation and voting is composed as follow:

• (16 votes). The eight “foundation unions” have two votes each: Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France. These 16 members comprise the majority of the 28-person Council. A 2008 report criticised the imbalance in voting structure, which allows the foundation unions to control the Council and gives emerging nations little influence.

So when Fiji decides what is best for the majority of rugby fans, World Rugby says it knows better and denies them live TV feed from Dubai.

The Fijian Government says it is prepared to pay more money to World Rugby to allow the live feed from Port Elizabeth this weekend. If financial considerations were the reason for the World Rugby’s decision to stop the live feed, then this latest offer from the Government should help in resolving this impasse.

The ‘TV Cross Carriage Decree’  is designed to increase the viewership of international events. Those  wanting it repealed need to know that the Decree which came into effect in May cannot be changed or overturned overnight. It will have to follow the proper channels of parliamentary procedures. An Opposition motion to repeal it was defeated in Parliament yesterday.

For some years Fiji Television Limited had enjoyed its monopoly in the Fiji market. For example, those living in the outer islands who could not get the free to air service – Fiji One – could only access the same through its paid service, Sky Pacific.

However, FBC TV has changed all that. It’s free to air service covers 90 per cent of Fiji’s population through its VHF and UHF TV Bands.

World Rugby needs to reconsider its position for the sake of rugby fans.  Would it have taken the same stand if it was powerful  Australia or New Zealand? Not likely.

Feedback:  rosi.devarata@fijisun.com.fj