AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Rugby’s major nations have endorsed a 20-team format for the 2015 World Cup, offering to play midweek to ensure lower-ranked teams have more time between matches.
The sport’s top-tier nations met Monday to discuss the model for the next World Cup in England. The meeting comes after New Zealand led a threat to boycott the tournament.
Some lower-ranked nations have as little as four days between games while top-tier countries enjoy longer breaks. Samoan player Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono has been the most strident critic. He used a Twitter post to liken Samoa’s short turnarounds to slavery and apartheid. He faces a misconduct hearing.
The International Rugby Board says a review of the World Cup is done after every tournament.
