Latest news with #worldrankings
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tierney has 'fire' to help Welsh rugby transform
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney says she still has "fire in her belly" in the role and wants to help the Wales men's team return to the elite of world rugby. Steve Tandy has been installed as the new men's head coach as he takes over a side who suffered a record 18 Test defeats before a first win in 21 months when they beat Japan earlier this month. Wales have slipped to 12th in the world rankings after Tierney launched a new strategy in June 2024 where the aim was for Wales to be in the top five in 2029. "It was always an aspiration but it's getting harder to achieve that since we published that," said Tierney. "It doesn't mean we're giving up on it. I've got fire in my belly to get up there." It has been a tumultuous time in Welsh rugby since Tierney took over in January in 2024 but she says she will not walk away. "I have the fire to stay in the role, absolutely," said Tierney. "I'm not considering doing anything different. I don't give up easily." Tierney is currently in Australia where she is watching the British and Irish Lions tour and attending World Rugby meetings. When asked if suggestions that she would leave her post upon her return had any truth in them, she replied: "Categorically false." Will there be a cut in sides? It remains a tough time with the WRU considering halving the number of regions in Wales as part of a new domestic structure by the 2027-28 season. The governing body says it is entering a formal consultation and could reduce the number of regions from four to three or even two, with a final decision expected by October. "So one of the options is to keep four but fund them differently," said Tierney. "Another option is to go to three or you could fund them differently again. You could have a three on equal funding or a two plus one. "Other option is to go to two. From a performance level you can make them work. I think they've all got trade-offs." Mergers between sides have been mooted. "Everything is on the table," said Tierney. "In the formal consultation will be a direction of travel in terms of number of clubs and then conversations begin in earnest to see how clubs can make that work." The season 2027-28 has been highlighted for the time for change with Tierney stating the early date of 2026-27 could only achieved if there an agreement was in place. Tierney says they have spoken to the United Rugby Championship (URC) about reducing teams. "They have been as supportive as they can be and understand we need to do something," said Tierney. "Their preference is we stay with four teams but understand we may need to do something so it is about working with them." Tierney also stated the WRU's focus was on the URC rather than trying to go into an Anglo-Welsh league. 'Cardiff situation made us pause' Earlier this year, the WRU had previously stated there was enough money to fund four professional sides equally. Tierney says things changed when Cardiff went into administration in April and was taken over by the WRU. The current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in June 2027 and was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal. The deal has been agreed by Cardiff and Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets, who say "key issues" have not been resolved. "When Cardiff happened, that showed just how challenged the system is," said Tierney. "It made us all pause, including the regions. That meant we weren't able to give sufficient reassurances to two of the regions for them to sign. "So when you don't have a deal, it's time to think about what to do different." Tierney say a drop in finances has affected their previous forecasts. "When we modelled the original offer, it was based on the numbers at the time but numbers have gone the wrong way since then," said Tierney. "We should have done a tougher downside but the headwinds that have affected rugby globally since were not reflected, especially competition income and media rights, while costs have also gone up with national insurance, player wages and costs of running a stadium. "We've seen revenue going down and costs going up. It means the gap to make up is larger for the regions. There's only so far the money goes." Ospreys and Scarlets are considering legal action against the WRU about their handling of the Cardiff situation. "That's always a concern," said Tierney. "They are all still talking to me about what's in best interest for Welsh rugby and want to find a way forward. "I remain optimistic we will find a way through this and can avoid legal action because that's the worst thing that can happen for Welsh rugby with delays and costs involved." Wales name Tandy as new head coach 'Big decisions needed for radical future' - WRU's Reddin Tandy needs 'patience' in Wales task, says Davies Committed to providing certainty Tierney accepts the current uncertainty in Welsh rugby is troubling. "It is a huge burden when you hear about players worried about their jobs," said Tierney. "It is not just the players, but all employees with the four clubs and the WRU because we are looking at changing the whole system. "This is not just about the number of clubs but it's about how we transform professional rugby and our pathways. "You take that seriously and we have committed to honouring players contracts. "Hopefully people will see we behaved with integrity around the Cardiff situation. "We will continue to try and make sure people get certainty as quickly as possible, treat people with respect and are as transparent and open as we can." Tierney says change is required. "We need to now put something in place that might be hard but put us on a sustainable footing going forward and won't require future change," said Tierney. "We all say we need to do something different and the message from clubs and players is to do that quickly and remove uncertainty."
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tierney has 'fire' to help Welsh rugby transform
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive Abi Tierney says she still has "fire in her belly" in the role and wants to help the Wales men's team return to the elite of world Tandy has been installed as the new men's head coach as he takes over a side who suffered a record 18 Test defeats before a first win in 21 months when they beat Japan earlier this have slipped to 12th in the world rankings after Tierney launched a new strategy in June 2024 where the aim was for Wales to be in the top five in 2029."It was always an aspiration but it's getting harder to achieve that since we published that," said Tierney."It doesn't mean we're giving up on it. I've got fire in my belly to get up there." It has been a tumultuous time in Welsh rugby since Tierney took over in January in 2024 but she says she will not walk away. "I have the fire to stay in the role, absolutely," said Tierney."I'm not considering doing anything different. I don't give up easily."Tierney is currently in Australia where she is watching the British and Irish Lions tour and attending World Rugby meetings. When asked if suggestions that she would leave her post upon her return had any truth in them, she replied: "Categorically false." Will there be a cut in sides? It remains a tough time with the WRU considering halving the number of regions in Wales as part of a new domestic structure by the 2027-28 governing body says it is entering a formal consultation and could reduce the number of regions from four to three or even two, with a final decision expected by October."So one of the options is to keep four but fund them differently," said Tierney."Another option is to go to three or you could fund them differently again. You could have a three on equal funding or a two plus one. "Other option is to go to two. From a performance level you can make them work. I think they've all got trade-offs."Mergers between sides have been mooted."Everything is on the table," said Tierney."In the formal consultation will be a direction of travel in terms of number of clubs and then conversations begin in earnest to see how clubs can make that work."The season 2027-28 has been highlighted for the time for change with Tierney stating the early date of 2026-27 could only achieved if there an agreement was in says they have spoken to the United Rugby Championship (URC) about reducing teams."They have been as supportive as they can be and understand we need to do something," said Tierney. "Their preference is we stay with four teams but understand we may need to do something so it is about working with them."Tierney also stated the WRU's focus was on the URC rather than trying to go into an Anglo-Welsh league. 'Cardiff situation made us pause' Earlier this year, the WRU had previously stated there was enough money to fund four professional sides says things changed when Cardiff went into administration in April and was taken over by the current professional rugby agreement (PRA) that underpins the Welsh professional game runs out in June 2027 and was due to be superseded by a new five-year deal has been agreed by Cardiff and Dragons, but has still not been signed by either Ospreys or Scarlets, who say "key issues" have not been resolved."When Cardiff happened, that showed just how challenged the system is," said Tierney."It made us all pause, including the regions. That meant we weren't able to give sufficient reassurances to two of the regions for them to sign. "So when you don't have a deal, it's time to think about what to do different."Tierney say a drop in finances has affected their previous forecasts."When we modelled the original offer, it was based on the numbers at the time but numbers have gone the wrong way since then," said Tierney."We should have done a tougher downside but the headwinds that have affected rugby globally since were not reflected, especially competition income and media rights, while costs have also gone up with national insurance, player wages and costs of running a stadium."We've seen revenue going down and costs going up. It means the gap to make up is larger for the regions. There's only so far the money goes."Ospreys and Scarlets are considering legal action against the WRU about their handling of the Cardiff situation."That's always a concern," said Tierney."They are all still talking to me about what's in best interest for Welsh rugby and want to find a way forward."I remain optimistic we will find a way through this and can avoid legal action because that's the worst thing that can happen for Welsh rugby with delays and costs involved." Committed to providing certainty Tierney accepts the current uncertainty in Welsh rugby is troubling."It is a huge burden when you hear about players worried about their jobs," said Tierney."It is not just the players, but all employees with the four clubs and the WRU because we are looking at changing the whole system."This is not just about the number of clubs but it's about how we transform professional rugby and our pathways."You take that seriously and we have committed to honouring players contracts. "Hopefully people will see we behaved with integrity around the Cardiff situation."We will continue to try and make sure people get certainty as quickly as possible, treat people with respect and are as transparent and open as we can."Tierney says change is required."We need to now put something in place that might be hard but put us on a sustainable footing going forward and won't require future change," said Tierney."We all say we need to do something different and the message from clubs and players is to do that quickly and remove uncertainty."
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Scottie Scheffler happy to support LIV push for world ranking points
As Scottie Scheffler pondered the real meaning of his extraordinary career, the world No.1 threw his support behind a push to give LIV golfers more purpose as they seek, for a second time, world rankings points for their efforts. Bryson DeChambeau, who has not suffered a slide like fellow LIV star Cameron Smith courtesy of a major triumph while playing in the breakaway league, also flagged potential changes that could help the second application hits its mark. Confirmation of a renewed request from new LIV chief executive Scott O'Neil, after the previous push was abandoned by his predecessor Greg Norman, has received wide-ranging support from most players, not just LIV golfers, keen to pit the best against the best more often, as is the case this week at The Open. Smith loses his exemption into the year's final major, courtesy of his victory in 2022, after the 2027 Open, and with a ranking that has slipped outside the top 200 and with missed cuts at four-straight majors, he needs all the help he can get. Qualification avenues to the majors have been opened for LIV stars, and Aussies Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert took advantage to earn their spot this year. But while rankings officials are open to hearing another application, the 54-hole, three-round, invitation-based LIV tour needs change and DeChambeau said that wasn't off the table. 'I would say that there are definitely grounds upon which we can change some things,' he said at Royal Portrush. 'Definitely relegation for sure, more pathways into LIV. I think a global tour, more association to a global tour would be great for a feeder system into LIV. Those things, I think, could help quite a bit. 'Going through the right process is important, and I think Scott and all of us are looking forward to going through that process and getting it done the right way. We're excited for that.' Smith was unaware of any progress, and long ago put ranking concerns behind him, although he conceded his was 'not where it needs to be at the moment'. 'I'm really not sure what's going on, to be honest. I didn't even know the meeting was taking place, but I knew that we applied a few weeks ago and I think it's a good thing to have people ranked,' he said. 'I think we need it. It's obviously been a long time coming, but hopefully we can just make progress into getting that back, that ranking back to where it needs to be because it's probably not where it needs to be at the moment.' Scheffler, who made the startling revelations that he didn't find golf a 'fulfilling life', but wrestles with his desire for competition and winning daily, said it was hard to know who was actually the world's best without rankings for LIV players. 'I think having the ability to rank all the golfers in the world is really important,' he said. 'When you have guys always playing a different schedule, it can be very hard to rank player versus player. That was always difficult for us, I would say, in amateur golf because you have so many different tournaments and guys aren't playing against each other every week. 'It can be very difficult to rank who is the best player when it's like that. 'In terms of the world ranking points, I think the more often we can get the best players in the world playing together would be better, and that would only be better for the rankings as well.'
Reuters
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
LIV Golf takes another swing at world ranking points
July 11 (Reuters) - LIV Golf is making a fresh bid to crack the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) after striking out two years ago, setting up another potential showdown over the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit's place in professional golf's pecking order. LIV Golf's request two years ago was unanimously rejected by OWGR due to concerns about the unconventional 54-hole format with no cuts while the events featured the same 48 players all season. They formally withdrew an application to have players receive world ranking points from its tournaments in March last year but OWGR said they received a new application on June 30 and had commenced a review process. "The OWGR Board is committed to a thorough evaluation process of all applications," Trevor Immelman, the chairman of the OWGR board of directors, said in a statement on Friday. "LIV's application will be reviewed in accordance with OWGR's criteria to ensure fairness, integrity and consistency." The stakes are high for LIV's star-studded roster as world rankings play a key role in determining entry into golf's four majors. The lack of ranking points has seen LIV Golf players tumble down the rankings, with former world number one Dustin Johnson now ranked number 957 in the OWGR. "We appreciate the interest of LIV Golf – and all Tours – in contributing to the global landscape of men's professional golf through OWGR," Immelman added. "Further updates will be provided as the review progresses."
CNA
11-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
LIV Golf takes another swing at world ranking points
LIV Golf is making a fresh bid to crack the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) after striking out two years ago, setting up another potential showdown over the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit's place in professional golf's pecking order. LIV Golf's request two years ago was unanimously rejected by OWGR due to concerns about the unconventional 54-hole format with no cuts while the events featured the same 48 players all season. They formally withdrew an application to have players receive world ranking points from its tournaments in March last year but OWGR said they received a new application on June 30 and had commenced a review process. "The OWGR Board is committed to a thorough evaluation process of all applications," Trevor Immelman, the chairman of the OWGR board of directors, said in a statement on Friday. "LIV's application will be reviewed in accordance with OWGR's criteria to ensure fairness, integrity and consistency." The stakes are high for LIV's star-studded roster as world rankings play a key role in determining entry into golf's four majors. The lack of ranking points has seen LIV Golf players tumble down the rankings, with former world number one Dustin Johnson now ranked number 957 in the OWGR. "We appreciate the interest of LIV Golf – and all Tours – in contributing to the global landscape of men's professional golf through OWGR," Immelman added.
