Sanzar stands firm on Super Rugby format
14 Feb 2012
Sanzar CEO Greg Peters dealt South Africa’s hope of gaining an additional Super Rugby franchise a hammer blow by insisting the format will not change until 2015.
In January the South African Rugby Union (Saru) committed to the Kings’ Super Rugby inclusion in 2013 but conceded that they did not know how they would be accommodated. They then rejected a relegation match as an option of trimming a franchise and also said a merger between two franchises was not an option.
Weekend reports indicated that the South African franchises had resolved to boycott the tournament in 2013 if they were not awarded another franchise. Saru quickly moved to dismiss those reports as false but did issue an ultimatum to their Sanzar partners saying: ‘… the franchises have made it plain that the only option to them is the expansion of Super Rugby. They also pledged their support for the Kings’ inclusion in 2013 as well as for Saru’s efforts to persuade Sanzar to include a sixth South African franchise.’
A letter from the five franchises to Saru president Oregan Hoskins stated:
* That such inclusion will benefit South African rugby in general;
* That none of the existing franchises shall be prejudiced by such inclusion in any way whatsoever;
* That none of the existing franchises shall be eliminated from the tournament in 2013 or at any stage thereafter as a result of the inclusion of the Kings;
* That Saru, as custodian of the South African leg of the tournament, will ensure that the Kings are included without prejudice to any of the existing franchises.
However, Peters insisted that no such concession can be made in light of the current tournament model being sold to broadcast and commercial partners until 2015 and the conference system being unable to function with an uneven number of teams.
‘The reality is that expansion of Super Rugby is not possible at this stage,’ Peters told keo.co.za. ‘Before their inclusion, the Kings’ aspirations were discussed in detail. How they are accommodated is a domestic issue for South Africa. And while we are always open to dialogue on this issue, it is incumbent upon them to make the necessary adjustments to facilitate the Kings’ inclusion.’
Peters added that they had explored a wide range of format options prior to settling on the current model and that there simply was no viable alternative to it at present. He added that New Zealand and Australia, the latter recording a 41% increase in television viewership in 2011, were opposed to any change in the format.
‘The Reds won the competition last year and I know other Australian franchises feel confident they can replicate that success, so it is understandable that there would be resistance to this idea from them. New Zealand are pleased with the model. They are realistic about the number of franchises they can field before the quality of those franchises is compromised,’ he said.
‘Also, we’re in year two of Super Rugby. The tournament in this guise is still in its infancy. It is nonsensical on a number of levels to alter its form.’
A final decision on the matter is expected on 31 March once all discussions have concluded.
By Ryan Vrede
Read Mark Keohane’s view on this issue here
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370 Comments
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14 Feb 2012, 21:44 pm
@>^..^< katman-344: what about the Melbourne Rebels? I sense that SARU were hoodwinked over their inclusion….and this is their way of forcing the issue?
14 Feb 2012, 21:44 pm
@XV-347: But not at the expense of another CC side…..
14 Feb 2012, 21:46 pm
look I have nothing but goodwill towards the E Cape. Would be great to see a team from that neck competing for honors. But lets be real….they are not going to be competitive in my life-time. Who the hell is going to bank-roll this thing. Its not like PE is a Melbourne FFS. PE would fit into the Yarra River and there’d be room to spare. And look how competitive Melbourne isn’t and wont be for quite a while, despite the dollars being thrown at it.
14 Feb 2012, 21:47 pm
@TASSIES-348: they were not originally……but don’t get me wrong … of course they should be there now. But they did get a helping hand. Similar to what the Kings are looking for now.
14 Feb 2012, 21:49 pm
I believe that the natal rugby union was vote into the top structure(currie cup) of south african rugby because the saru felt that the natal region should not be excluded from playing rugby at the highest level.true or false?
14 Feb 2012, 21:55 pm
@XV-354: Wouldn’t it be better to give them a helping hand to the CC?….then they got exactly the same as the Sharks did.
14 Feb 2012, 21:55 pm
@XV-351:
But the ARU were punting for a while to get a 5th Aussie team in the comp. But they targetted 2011 as their entry and were instrumental in getting the format changed to the new conference format because they wanted more derbies.
Which is more than can be said for SARU.
14 Feb 2012, 21:57 pm
The sharks went up only 1 division….it did not jump 2 ranks like some police officers in Cele’s army or like what the Kings want to do.
14 Feb 2012, 21:58 pm
@allblacksaregods-349: After first season they did really well for a long time? Weird logic.
14 Feb 2012, 22:04 pm
@allblacksaregods-349: And cmon, if Lions are that bad to be put out of their misery how farken good must be Cheeky Kings to replace them. 0-88.
Look, I would love to see Cheeky Kings inclusion, after all 5 points, easy ride and some 50+ points for my team is always welcome. I am not happy that SA teams will meet them twice thus gaining unfair advantage.
14 Feb 2012, 22:07 pm
@XV-354: this is the professional era. Read: money + resources. Aside from a portion of the motor industry, with respect, there is little by way of resources in the EC to build a professional franchise rugby team from scratch and become competitive. This is the point I’m trying to make. At R100/ticket Newlands packs in 35,000 plus for a game against the Highlanders. Many more than that for a derby. The Cheetahs has been going for years and they struggle financially. How the hell is little EC going to cope against these odds?
14 Feb 2012, 22:14 pm
Nils,I support the crusaders and basically just getting pidsed-off when the crusaders pencil in a guaranteed 5 points against the lions at the start of every super season.the comp needs variety
14 Feb 2012, 22:31 pm
@allblacksaregods-362: well exactly. I don’t even watch those games. The result is a foregone conclusion. Who the hell sets one’s alarm for that? Prefer to hang out the ‘gone surfing’ sign.
15 Feb 2012, 00:20 am
I am now a ghost and I am in some person’s bed.
15 Feb 2012, 00:51 am
Sheezus I have to clean up my act as I always feel dirty these days.
This apology, to all those Kiwis and Stormers I have insulted and everybody else for that matter, should go some way in cleansing me.
I am very sorry and hope you forgive me.
15 Feb 2012, 01:10 am
@allblacksaregods-362: IMHO, the main reason is Crusaders being that good rather than Lions being that poor. Crusaders use to cash in 5 pointers frequently from the Pink Bulls/Sharks/Stormers, too.
Lions should do ok this time. No stars from heaven and no utter embarrasment either. They should aim to be in top 3 of SA conference and the top 8 at the most modest.
15 Feb 2012, 01:22 am
@Heavens Game-365: what thge fok are you on about?we all know your style ….and nobody really takes you seriously.you are nothing but nice entertainment.
15 Feb 2012, 01:23 am
@clm-367: the
15 Feb 2012, 07:11 am
I have little sympathy for SARU for painting themselves into this corner but at the same time the current Super Rugby format is ridiculous. No serious sporting competition should have ever resorted to the gimmicky scenario thats in place now where sides supposedly in the same pool dont even play all the same set of opposition. And as for the 6 team playoff format – well – thats just a money generating gimmic and not something I am a fan of. I found last years Super 15 very uninterersting.
I think the long term future of the competition probably lies in a 16 team format. Two pools of 8 with home and away fixtures followed by semi finals and final.
All that said – in the meantime, while we wait, I think a promotion relegation system is the way to go. In fact I think the whole franchise concept was a mistake and the top 5 currie cup sides should get to play S15 every year. They could still loan / draft players from other sides. I don’t think there is another way. Obviously the problem is that EP (Southern Kings) cant make the top 5 in the Currie Cup so maybe they should be given special exemption for a year but thereafter need to defend that position as any other side would.
15 Feb 2012, 07:58 am
Farksakes, there are some real prize retards on this thread….
Lets have a roll call of fuckwit stupidity. Top to bottom:
1. XV
2. Allblackaregods
3. Clm
4 Mania
And by the way, Capo, I am farken telling you not to fraudulently use my nic, dumbfck offspring of a down syndromic nymphette of a mother….
@Heavens Game-365: THIS IS NOT ME.
Please, MODERATOR – SORT THIS NAME STEALING BULLSHIT OUT!
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