Money-making Nations Championship project carries a cost for fans and players

New tournament is designed to provide a context that was apparently lacking in the legendary clashes of the past

It was a loose kick, tumbling aimlessly end over end into the All Blacks’ half. Their wing Billy Wallace gathered it and sprinted into midfield, through a gap and on into the Welsh half, only their full-back ahead of him now, and with his teammate Bob Deans in the corner of his eye, coming on the inside calling for the ball. Wallace gave the pass and Deans was away, making straight for the posts, tackled at the last moment by Rhys Gabe, and the two of them went sliding for the try‑line together. The ball finished in the tips of Deans’s fingers, at the end of his outstretched arm.

Over the line? On the line? Inches away from the line?