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That’s an easy thing to say of course. The nitty gritty of Canadian amateur sport reminds us it isn’t an easy thing to solve.

Rugby Canada lists a good number of corporate sponsors, but in Canadian sport that doesn’t often mean a large pile of actual dough; rather, sponsorships play out as in-kind support. Things like kit. And subsidized hotel rooms and plane flights.

In recent years, there have been some financial coups for Canadian rugby: for instance, just from counting bums in seats, we know the inaugural edition of the men’s Canada Sevens was a financial success. We also know the women’s sevens were too. And some of the stand-alone XVs tests, like vs. Ireland and the Maori All Blacks in 2013, have put some cash in the coffers. But the Japan test last June at BC Place saw a disappointing crowd — it’s hard to believe Rugby Canada didn’t see a shortfall afterwards.

At the end of the day, we’re left to ponder whether better per-player financial support translate, eventually, into better performance? Probably. Would it serve to attract more interested players? You’d think so. Would it help to create a better level of trust between player and management? That’s another “probably.” Would other things need to be cut to better secure the financial future of the program? Only Rugby Canada really knows that. Is there even money to cover any of this? At the end of the day, you’d like to think so.

“We look forward to an open, productive, honest discussion with the players that addresses the best interests of all concerned,” Rugby Canada CEO Allen Vansen told this reporter in a Thursday email about next week’s talks. The players have kept what little comment they’ve been willing to share to similar terms.

Rugby in Canada remains a small sport. The people involved are passionate believers in its ability to be a big sport. It’s a big, professional sport in many parts of the world. The road to full time professionalism was never going to be easy.

We’ll see what happens.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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