Canes coach backs South Africans
13 May 2009
Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper has launched a plea for South African teams to remain in Super Rugby.
Cooper believes any Australasian-based competition would be a step backwards and South Africa’s continued participation has to be ensured.
His strong stance comes on the eve of further talks between the three Sanzar partners in Dublin on what direction Super rugby takes beyond 2010.
Australian and New Zealand officials have openly discussed the prospect of creating a 10- or 12-team Asian-Pacific competition without South Africa if an agreement can’t be reached before the June 30 deadline when broadcasters are given a fresh option to consider.
The main stumbling blocks are the starting date of the extended competition with South Africa wanting the early start in February to be maintained so the Currie Cup later in the year is unaffected.
Cooper’s view was unequivocal when asked if a competition without South Africa would be an inferior product.
‘Definitely,’ said Cooper. ‘I don’t know the world rankings but I’m sure they’re in the top three, along with New Zealand and Australia.’
‘If you take one of them out, it weakens the competition. At the moment it’s the toughest provincial competition in the world.’
Cooper has voiced his concern this year about the amount of travel involved in the Super 14 and supports the proposed conference structure which would see an extra team added to a likely Super 15.
‘The sooner we sort out the competition, we bring another team in and get conferences then the travel factor won’t be such a tough area like it is at the moment.’
60 Comments
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13 May 2009, 15:32 pm
#49 PissAnt:
then theyre even better placed to find out, altho I like to think mines up-there rather than down-there.
Which, as you say, is beside the point(less).
13 May 2009, 20:18 pm
What do you mean “all grow up” Keo – you must mean “all you imbeciles grow up” – not so?
Anyway – Who the hell does John O’Neill think he is? Read the Sydney Morning Herald for more details. He comes across as stupid-brash-unintelligent-pompous-pathetic-imbecilic-arrogant-stupid-all rolled into one! Is there a word for this infliction – maybe “prick” is what I was searching for.
The minor partner in this tri-partnership throwing his weight around!
13 May 2009, 20:43 pm
#5 TheTackler:
Brilliant!
13 May 2009, 20:55 pm
#44 BlackPanther: If you got a hrad on once every 4 years you’d also get excited.:)
14 May 2009, 12:54 pm
#54 Inevitable:
Im lead to believe the two go hand-in-hand (so to speak).
14 May 2009, 13:03 pm
#54 Inevitable:
Hehe, nice one dude
14 May 2009, 13:05 pm
#55 BlackPanther:
And you would know would’nt you bud? No one else’s seen yours hey? Wanker!
14 May 2009, 13:21 pm
#12 TheTackler:
Who cares? Same no of WC’s. Can’t say the same about NZ hey tackles?
14 May 2009, 17:57 pm
#57 whatever:
classy guy.
seriously pal, seek some help. Therapy could do wonders for someone like you.
15 May 2009, 10:34 am
#38 TheTackler: Remind me how many times the Wallabies have beaten the Boks in South Africa in the entire history of the Trinations?
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