Germany's male rugby team has an opportunity to make history by 2025. A good performance at the European championship in the upcoming year could lead to their qualification for the World Cup in 2027.
The beginning of the Six Nations in February will have many rugby union enthusiasts enthusiastic about watching some of Europe's top players in action. However, beyond the main competition lies a historic European championship, a tournament for the continent's second-tier nations that have a pivotal opportunity in store for them in 2025.
In 2027, Australia will mark a milestone, becoming the first country to offer four Rugby World Cup spots as part of its selection process. Meanwhile in Germany, the men's rugby union team is set to celebrate its centenary in the same year, providing a unique opportunity for the team to make history.
"I know Germany's qualification status isn't their top priority, but this is a wonderful moment for German rugby," head coach Mark Kuhlmann told Deutsche Welle.
In Germany, I believe we require success or a trailblazer. How much interest did the country have in tennis before Boris Becker or in cycling before Jan Ullrich? I think we need a trailblazer who captivates people's attention and we need success as a team, and securing a World Cup spot would undoubtedly achieve that.
This new qualification format offers more teams the chance to participate, as the 2027 World Cup will feature 24 teams, up from the 20 teams that have participated since 1999. The European Championship offers four direct qualification spots for the final tournament in Australia and an additional spot through a worldwide repechage. Germany is grouped with Romania, Belgium, and Portugal, the latter having impressed fans with their exciting displays in the last World Cup by qualifying. With points awarded not just for a loss within seven points, but also for scoring at least three more tries than one's opponent, every result will be crucial.
Just make rugby visible!
But Kuhlmann believes that German rugby has the potential to captivate the imagination of the public if given the opportunity.
"I find Sevens easier to understand than 15s rugby, which is more like watching chess on a large board with many complex strategies. Although the rules of 15s are not well-known, it's easier to get familiar with them when it's frequently broadcast on television. I enjoy watching sports at my own pace, and although I'm not an expert on basketball, the more I watch, the more I comprehend its intricacies," Kuhlmann said.
The sport needs to be on, you don't have to be an expert to appreciate performance.
Following the exit of a wealthy patron and three years outside the European champions league, Germany have taken a circuitous route to reach this stage. But, with six players now representing top division teams in France, improved physical conditioning, and more experience, Kuhlmann believes his team is now prepared.
"Having been a player myself, I'm aware of the difficulties they've been going through," Kuhlmann described of the struggles the team has encountered recently.
Rugby is a team sport. You need three to four years to reach the top level. We were at the lowest level with a tough situation, but we have persisted in our growth and efforts, and now we need to take on the next challenge.
German rugby on the verge of a boom
The concept of relegation from and promotion to the Six Nations has been widely debated for a long time. Given that Portugal and Georgia have established themselves as top contenders in Europe's secondary tier, it's evident that the market for rugby is expanding. Germany seems to be a few years away from taking the lead in this charge, but Kuhlmann believes that if they can reach a higher standard in the years to come, they might have a chance.
There are markets beyond the Six Nations," Kuhlmann said. "The idea of promoting Georgia has been discussed previously. It's a country that produces exceptional rugby players, but it's also apparent that there are economic factors at play. If Germany were involved, I believe the opportunity would have been seized.
Before that though, Germany needs to establish a more solid rugby foundation at home. While Kuhlmann is thrilled that he has more high-quality players to call upon, the sport of rugby is still working to build a stronger foundation at home.
It would be great if Bundesliga level could be a bit higher. The level of competition is not ideal. There are two to three matches a year that are competitive, but many games are often decided by a substantial margin of points," Kuhlmann said. "And kids should have fun with it. Rugby is perfect for that. At that age, it's not about the position you're in, such as second row or fly-half, it's about enthusiasm and having a good time.
Time to make history
Kuhlmann is aiming for a surprise victory in their first game in Romania to set up a decisive finale at home against Belgium, a nation at a similar stage of development to Germany.
I'm extremely proud of the team's effort. With a bit of luck, we might just need that last push, but what would really make a difference is having 18,000 supporters at our home game. We shouldn't be content with just 5,000 attendance, and perhaps that can be the factor that sets us apart.
There's more to European rugby than France and Ireland's dominance. Anyone who witnessed Portugal and Georgia's performances at the recent World Cup won't be surprised to hear this. The real question is: can Germany now seize its opportunity to shine on the world stage.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold
Author: Jonathan Harding