Time for a change to the WC format

I was reading through an earlier thread where people, or one person was trying to diminish the role the smaller nations are playing in the world cup. So instead of talking about whether they should be in the WC at all, i thought it might be better to think about ways to improve the format of the WC. I for one think the smaller countries, the ones you don't get a chance to watch regularly, are what makes the WC so appealing to me. Japan giving france a scare for 70 minutes, USA v Russia etc. So my idea is this. Keep the current format as it is but make one small change. How about have a plate competition running at the same time. So 4 pools of 5 with the top 2 of each team progressing to the cup QF,SF+F as they do now. How about the 3rd and 4th placed teams then going to a Plate QF,SF+F maybe running midweek. It would give the smaller nations more exposure and something more to aim for. Think about what it would it do for rugby in Russia or Georgia if they won a world plate final?

So this is my suggestion. What are yours?

That is a fair point, similar to 7's

trouble is the 'minows' wont win the plate either.