Chile’s head coach Pablo Lemoine says it will be impossible for minnows to compete at the World Cup until they are given regular fixtures again Tier One nations.
The South Americans were walloped 71-0 by England in their World Cup Pool D match on Saturday evening.
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That result came after Namibia and Romania suffered heavy losses in their respective pool matches against New Zealand and South Africa.
While Chile, Uruguay and Portugal have flown the flag for the Tier Two nations with admirable performances, the minnows have found it tough in France.
‘We put our hearts into it but we wore ourselves out,” Lemoine said.
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“If you never play at this level it’s difficult to know what’s coming. This is the reality of the World Cup when you pay a top 10 team.
“Four years ago we were playing against Canada and Brazil but now we’re here. They compete against themselves. It’s terrible for us but that’s the reality.
“We haven’t played that kind of game in the cycle between the World Cups. I hope that changes because it’s not good for the game or the supporters.”
Photo: ameer Al-Doumy / AFP