Wellington: Turnaround times for matches at the rugby World Cup should be more equitable to ensure the Tier Two nations are given a better chance of competing, according to Scotland coach Andy Robinson.
His comments come on the back of Canada coach Kieran Crowley's observation that his side have only four days to recover from their physically abrasive 25-20 win over Tonga on Wednesday before they meet France in Napier.
Samoa, who beat Namibia 49-12 in Rotorua on Wednesday, now play Wales in Hamilton on Sunday. The Pacific islanders play all four of their pool games in 16 days.
"I saw [International Rugby Board chief executive] Mike Miller on our flight today and I said to him a four-day turnaround for squads that don't have the real depth is something that has to be improved," Robinson told reporters in Wellington yesterday. "It's not something we should be allowing to happen if possible. It's better than it was in 2007 and hopefully in 2015 it will improve again."
Scotland were forced to play Romania and Georgia within four days of each other, but now have an 11-day break before they face Argentina in Wellington on September 25.
Huge pressure
Robinson said he had not been concerned at the quick turnaround for his side's first two matches as they had sufficient depth in their squad, but thought all teams deserved a level playing field.
"Teams can do it if you have the depth of squad like the top nations [but] if you don't have that depth… it does put you under huge pressure. All teams should have a five-day turnaround, but I guess that's down to television and the media and it's really for you to help and support that for these teams."
