View
comments
What has become clear in the last week is that a battle for rugby’s soul is looming. Any desire for profound innovation and reform will be met by a fierce traditionalist backlash.
There is a general acceptance that change is needed, but a reluctance to give up on precious, age-old routines.
First, a minor example. England lock Maro Itoje was asked what he made of the entertainment at the Super Bowl and he said: ‘I did see the half-time show. It would be amazing if somehow that could be replicated in rugby. It was a spectacle. A lot of people are talking about how great the match was, but the half-time show brought a lot of eyes to the Super Bowl, so it is beneficial.’
The Super Bowl half time show was a hit but there's a reluctance in rugby to give up on precious, age-old routines
Itoje is more than just a supreme sportsman — he is an intelligent man with a grasp of history, politics and commerce. He is also a client of the Roc Nation agency
