Saru, franchises to hold talks
8 May 2012
The South African Rugby Union and five franchises are set for a showdown, with the key point of discussion likely to be the implications of the Kings’ inclusion in Super Rugby.
While Saru spokesperson Andy Colquhoun could provide no details on the agenda, it is expected that the prickly issue of how a sixth South African franchise will be accommodated in next year’s tournament will be worked through. In January Saru’s general council guaranteed the Kings’ inclusion in 2013. However, they had no clear plan as to how to decide which franchise lost out.
Click here to listen to Keo’s radio interview with Darren Scott about the Kings
They attempted to bully Sanzar into including a sixth franchise, but, speaking to keo.co.za, CEO Greg Peters shattered those hopes by insisting that the tournament structure had been agreed on by all franchises and sold to the broadcasters and commercial partners in a deal that runs until 2015.
‘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.’
Saru later issued a statement saying that they were preparing to take a delegation to meet Sanzar representatives in order to lobby their cause, but later explained they needed more time to prepare their case.
In the absence of a clear agenda one can confidently assume this issue will take precedence. The Times quoted Colquhoun as saying: ‘If any decisions are taken, they cannot be implemented at that meeting and would have to go to the Saru general council before coming into effect.’ Colquhoun also confirmed that CEO Jurie Roux and president Oregan Hoskins would be among those attending the meeting.
151 Comments
8 May 2012, 09:35 am
Kitty Cats Dragon??
8 May 2012, 09:37 am
Is there an echo in here?
8 May 2012, 09:37 am
Seems the franchises are standing together…
8 May 2012, 09:40 am
Are you Keo boys such mental Imp’s that you cannot get it? There is no way in hell that your political rent boys form the EC will be playing superrugby in 2013. Do you really think that the last placed team that finishes in 2012, 2013 and 2014 will accept automatic relegation to make way for the team that sat out the previous tournament, excluding the Kings if course.
8 May 2012, 09:44 am
the so-called financial hub of south africa has the LOWEST Test prices than PE
England Tour to South Africa
Venue: Coca-Cola Park
Date: 16 June 2012 17:00
R350.00 : East Lower
R325.00 : East Upper
R250.00 : North Lower
R175.00 : North Upper
Venue: Mr Price Kings Park
Date: 9 June 2012 17:05
R477 : East Upper
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Date: 23 June 2012 17:00
R500.00 : Level 2 and Wheelchair Area
R300.00 : Level 5 and Level 6
8 May 2012, 09:46 am
Crunch time? Semms like something is going to be crunched …
8 May 2012, 09:46 am
Oops … semms = seems
8 May 2012, 09:51 am
Hmmmmmmm…some years back I recall the Sharks striking a R400 000 deal with the then EPRU (read Spears & later Kings) that the Eastern Cape would give up ALL hosting & TV rights in exchange for the cash. Details are fuzzy at the moment but perhaps somebody out there could recall more details.
Reading between the lines in this article I am now getting intrigued as to the part that the Sharks will play in this meeting…
8 May 2012, 09:55 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-5: come now transformer you can do better than that.
Fact is you conveniently leave out the pricing for the other stands, you know the Den has north, south, west and east stands. You also conviniently leave our the 300 or so VIP suites that the Den has which is 100% sold out for test matches.
You also forget to mention that the financial hub of SA will be hosting not one but two test matches this season, that is 150000.00 thousands sold out tickets and 500 sold out VIP suites for two matches …all going into the pockets of the GLRU, minus SARU’s share and Soccer City’s share for stadium rental. Get it?
8 May 2012, 09:55 am
This whole Eastern Cape thing is based on what?
It is the home of rugby for many people?? Who are these people and why are they not playing for clubs in the Eastern Cape? Aren’t there bizzilions of clubs there?? No? I wonder why.
All the good players leave because they want to play for a top club?? Cry me a river. Get better and they’ll stay.
If you get a Super 15 franchise all you’ll try and do is contract all the Lions players that leave and you;ll still be left with a shite team, this time annoyed that they got relegated and playing in a foreign environment with Luke Watson as Captain. That should be one great harmonious set up.
The guys are assuming that the Lions players will move to the Eastern Cape. Really??
I see them going overseas, not to the most badly run province in the country,
So it’s lose-lose.
The morons don’t see this. All they see is the Political Ego’s who want a team in the Eastern Cape so that when they die (hopefully soon) they and all their ancestors can watch the game.
8 May 2012, 09:57 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-5:
What’s your point… that EP is over-charging and not really the ‘vehicle for the people’ they’ve been making out to be?
8 May 2012, 10:01 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-10: talent gos where the money is. That is why the EC cannot hold onto its players. Are you still living in the amateur era?
8 May 2012, 10:02 am
@XV(XV)-12: So are you agreeing with me??
What’s your point?
8 May 2012, 10:02 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-11: exactly, their claim is to bring rugby to the hordes …. at 500 bucks a pop.
8 May 2012, 10:07 am
Keo’s radio interview with Darren Scott about the Kings: http://soundcloud.com/ballzradio/ballz-blog-keo-070512
8 May 2012, 10:10 am
@Simon(Simon)-15: Derren Scott, someone hired the k-word journalist …. amazing.
8 May 2012, 10:11 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-10: I am so with you on this one. This is just a poster-boy move. It’s not about the actual substance – development, but rather about an elect few being enriched and claiming a “resurrection” of EP rugby. This is what saddens me about all the “affirmative” work in our country-it has no substance. So sad, and so embarressing
8 May 2012, 10:14 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-11: There are very few vehicles for the people left – barring the armour plated S600′s. Those are the heirs to the new “rainbow” nation
8 May 2012, 10:15 am
Wouldn’t mind being a fly on the wall at this meeting.
8 May 2012, 10:16 am
@Treehugger(Treehugger)-19: me too. Could be a classic
8 May 2012, 10:19 am
Would actually want these discussions on TV as it might qualify as public interest. Might see the Cheque books passed under the tables
8 May 2012, 10:21 am
Keo stuttering like an old MG on a cold Highveld morning.
Very enbraboer.
8 May 2012, 10:23 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-22: really, so the dwarf lost the battle?
8 May 2012, 10:26 am
@RL(RL)-16: No one hired him. He created the platform himself.
8 May 2012, 10:27 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-10: boo hoo, the team in the “financial hub” of SA is R73 million in debt, the likes of jaque fourie, willem alberts, brian mujati, louis ludik, joe van niekerk, conrad jantjies, ricky january fled like they were escaping the plague
the lions have nothing to do with johannesburg in the same way the kings have zilch to do with bisho!
your pathilogical hate/slip for the watson is showing
8 May 2012, 10:29 am
When this group rejects the kings inclusion what next for the power brokers behind the kings. Watch the propaganda machine go into overdrive
8 May 2012, 10:31 am
Currie Cup has six teams and Super rugby 5. The solution is easy: The Lions do not deserve Super rugby after this year’s comp (and the previous 10). Include the Kings for 2013, but the team that finishes last in that year’s comp need to be placed above the Lions in the 2013 CC to retain their place. Merging teams just does not work and this will create extra motivation for the Currie Cup.
Some said the Currie Cup must be used as playoffs for Superrugby, but then the bigger teams will not rest their Springboks and it will be counterproductive.
8 May 2012, 10:32 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-25: I don’t hate him. I think he’s a bad influence on a team, but I certainly don’t hate him.
I’m not saying the Lions aren’t **** and deserve to get the boot. I think they do,
But that has nothing to do with the Kings. They deserve it even less,.
The Lions are the CC champs. The Kings can’t even get into the top division.
8 May 2012, 10:34 am
Interesting times. If keo’s going on media, well there’s no smoke without fire
MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY (singing)
8 May 2012, 10:34 am
There is little doubt now that the larger portion of the rugby media in SA is serving SARU in its drive to influence the South African public to believe the Kings are a better super rugby 15 team than the Lions
I followed that drive to discredit the Lions – who are terrible for sure – in favour of the King for a while , and IMO it’s defying any rugby logic but nevertheless effective in swinging the public opinion.
Only thing left to decide is whether the SA Rugby Media is doing it to be accredited by SARU or is it just ‘business’?
8 May 2012, 10:34 am
Sure it has been bandied about here that Puke is on R3 mil a year at the Queens.
Not exactly a pay cut from £250k in the UK?
8 May 2012, 10:36 am
Read this quickly as it will probably be removed from this thread. Keo’s links with the KIngs:
rugbybanter.com/blog.html
8 May 2012, 10:39 am
@trupisero(trupisero)-31: He was on R350. That’s almost R4.5.
A big difference from R3 (if that’s what he;s on)
8 May 2012, 10:40 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-25: I reckon that the Lions will pocket around 50 million from this seasons test matches … how much do you think the EC will get from the hordes?
8 May 2012, 10:40 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-25:
I for one cant wait for the queens to play super rugby. I’m gonna tell you week in and week out how k@k your team are. Its gonna be fun.
Hopefully you will dissapear like RL did this year.
:bigfluckingblackandwhitesmile:
8 May 2012, 10:41 am
@gecko(gecko)-32: It’s been all over the threads for days now.
Keo doesn’t censor what gets posted here.
8 May 2012, 10:43 am
Gecko
Someone copied and pasted it on another thread
It made me think of all the old regulars that have left this site
8 May 2012, 10:45 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-33:
I’m assuming you mean £350,000?
8 May 2012, 10:45 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-33: Sure Keo said on the interview it was £250k in which case not much of a difference.
8 May 2012, 10:46 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-38: LOL yes.
Pounds. GBP
8 May 2012, 10:46 am
kings will get screwed over again and wont play in S15 2013, not that i care but watch
8 May 2012, 10:46 am
@trupisero(trupisero)-39: just listened to it. 350.
8 May 2012, 10:47 am
Speaking of money.
I see Edward Zuma still owes R1.5 million on the lavish wedding ceremony he held in October 2011.
How revolutionary.
8 May 2012, 10:47 am
Keo : “I don’t lie and I’m not here for the money”……
jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa swaer.
8 May 2012, 10:49 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-43:
Rumour has it though it’s not Edward’s fault.
Khulubuse showed up and the food bill went out of control.
Hayibo.
8 May 2012, 10:51 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-45: hahahahaha
8 May 2012, 10:51 am
@viewer(viewer)-37: Viewer, I left this site. Visit it once in a while for team news, but commenting is not worth it anymore with all the provincial/national/racist/class abuse that flows on this site. Even thetackler seems tame by comparision.
8 May 2012, 10:51 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-42: cool, must be going deaf
8 May 2012, 10:54 am
@gecko(gecko)-32:
It just confirmed my thinking, the media campaign to discredit the Lions in favour of the Kings has gone too obvious!
The Lions however should have done better to support their case, playing Janjies in SuperRugby was not the way to meet their challenge
8 May 2012, 10:55 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-46:
Broad-based empowerment, indeed.
8 May 2012, 11:00 am
@Hondo(Hondo)-49: A good comment followed by a race-based dig. (You could have named the whole bloody Lions team as not being up to standard). Typical why I don’t bother on this site anymore. I’m off.
8 May 2012, 11:00 am
I must say, as much as I love to mock the Keo journos and even Mark himself on occasion, having listened to the podcast I think that Mark Makes some very good points,
For the record some points that are worth noting are:
Keo agrees that SARU have stuffed the whole process up.
Also he believes that we should have at most 3 teams in the super comp, (old super 10 format).
He also thinks that this format is cr@p because (and this is actually a very good point) the tournament is way too long. you have a bunch of players who play themselves into the ground until June and then the top teams like the Reds, Stormers Chiefs, Saders and Bulls lose those players to international duty, those same players come back after the “break” even more exhausted and in some cases injured and then a team like The Highlanders, who only has to finish in 6th place to qualify for the playoffs is actually very well placed to finish much stronger than the other top teams. just like the Lions did when the beat a bunch of exhausted Boks in the CC playoffs.
So basically the Lions victory in the CC was a farce for the same reason.
Good interview Keo, credit where credit is due!
8 May 2012, 11:02 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-28: the lions get stipends from saru & fleeced gumede for buy the currie cup mate, when gumede first flirted with the GLRU d(ick muir had just lost ALL the games in 2010. pump that money into the valke, they’d also win currie cup
8 May 2012, 11:02 am
@gecko(gecko)-47:
The website is merely a good entertainment today, that all it is
Most of the rugby knowledgeable participants have left or banned from the site a while ago,
8 May 2012, 11:04 am
What is this notion that SA should want, expect or even desire 6 Super 15 teams.
Based on the comments expressed on this thread, you Saffa’s collectively believe the Lions, if replaced, will do so by a team with no more encouraging prospects than they enjoy.
8 May 2012, 11:06 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-52: I think everyone, besides the money grabbing unions agree that less is more in respect of the competition.
8 May 2012, 11:06 am
(Sigh)
8 May 2012, 11:06 am
@trupisero(trupisero)-56: Ja. The real culprit here is SARU.
Money driven.
8 May 2012, 11:08 am
@gecko(gecko)-51:
If you haven’t realised the importance of the flyhalf by now, then it’s too late to explain.
8 May 2012, 11:10 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-58: Yip, Some Additional Rands for Us
8 May 2012, 11:12 am
Brads
IMO, bulls, stormers, sharks. 3 capable teams is all SA has.
8 May 2012, 11:13 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-52:
When Keo was in Nz for WC was seen on tv and heard on radio often…came across as a stand up guy….listened to that interview you mentioned and my opinion of him hasn’t changed…I have to say his performances on Keo tv should be shelved…
8 May 2012, 11:14 am
@viewer(viewer)-61: Correct.
3 teams from SA and Aus, 3 from NZ and a Pacific Islands team a-la the West Indies.
Super 10.
8 May 2012, 11:14 am
@viewer(viewer)-61: throw in some players from Lions and Cheetahs and you could have 3 very string sides with good depth.
8 May 2012, 11:15 am
People are arguing like girls instead of looking at the solutions…..
Now talking of solutions?? there isnt one as everything was left in thin air till now and now the bubble is bursting.
I for one have not problem if the Kings are brought in or not etc etc etc, but surely only if they were the better team, when weighing up both options surely one has to take ability to perform as first and formost, then also can that union handle the systems and proceedures and day to day running of these matches etc etc….
1) Lions not playing good rugby and not getting great crowds.
2) Kings playing a lower standard rugby section and also performing poorly and as for crowds a slightly unknown factor
I know some will argue that there has been good crowds in PE lately, but thats for one or two matches, it is not for a season where one can judge.
Now all that aside one always has to come back to the main question….
WILL THE KINGS AT PRESENT BE BETTER THEN THE LIONS ON THE FIELD OF PLAY???
I am sure we all know the answer to that…
Should SARFU not have done their homework 6 years ago when these promises were made etc?? should planning for for the KINGS to atleast look like they can handle the big league not been done??
I know we dont all have the answers and with every answer there is a question that puts the answer in doubt, but surely then try a solution and let the answers sought themselves out.
But instead SARFU has left the issue dangling and now SA rugby will be thrown to the political wolves again as no doubt it will become a political issue,
8 May 2012, 11:16 am
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-35: i’ll be here mate, having fun like katman, cab have been all these years
8 May 2012, 11:16 am
SARFU = SARU
8 May 2012, 11:18 am
Kubu is Broad Bottomed Empowerment.
Iphatpanti.
8 May 2012, 11:20 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-65: Yeah politics and sport.
A match made in heaven.
8 May 2012, 11:23 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-63:
Disagree. 4 Teams per member is enough.
As for the PI idea. It has a touchey feely warmth thing going for it, but nothing else. They add nothing to the income, plus where would they play home games?
Auckland? Sydney? – Certainly not Suva or Apia. That would cripple the Saffa teams on travel.
8 May 2012, 11:24 am
5 or 6 SA teams is a bad idea, unless there is an equitable way to distribute playing talent across the country. A type of draft system. Think of players sitting on the bench at bulls & stormers compared to some of the starters at the lions for example.
Or how about a salary cap system
8 May 2012, 11:27 am
@Brads(Brads)-70: Fine. NZ can have 4 teams, like they did originally.
More to spread their talent between.
We’ll stick to 3.
8 May 2012, 11:31 am
@viewer(viewer)-71:
I agree.
SA needs to lighten up on its provincialism.
Look at the Crusaders. They recruit from right across NZ and no one in really cares about it here in NZ.
8 May 2012, 11:31 am
@viewer(viewer)-71: That originally was the case. A good example of a player that was left out of the WP/Stormers squad back in the day when he was playing for Boland but was drafted by the Sharks is Stefan Terreblenache, Worked out really well for the Sharks and Stefan
8 May 2012, 11:40 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-72:
That is short sighted.
SA has the talent pool for 5 teams, but with your political constrainsts you are hamstrung to put up 4 decent teams let along 5. So forget about 6, irrespective of the potential talent.
SARU just needs to work through their moronic promise of guaranteeing things that were outside of their ability to deliver.
8 May 2012, 11:43 am
@viewer(viewer)-71:
Then you will have to settle for no SA team ever winning the thing, and all of them languishing in mid table.
It’s either quantity or quality. You can’t have both.
8 May 2012, 11:46 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-76:
Come on, the Bulls won it 2 years on the trot.
Then fell away when the comp was extended to 15 teams.
8 May 2012, 11:46 am
A question for punters here.
Why does the belief exist SA cannot sustain 5, or even 6 franchises?
8 May 2012, 11:49 am
Keo’s interview on Darren’s soap box is painful to sit through. Can’t decide which of them is more full of it. Keo denying his link to the money trail sounds like a standard Juju press conference.
8 May 2012, 11:56 am
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-78:
Long term, SA may well have the capacity to sustain 6 teams.
But at the minute you guys have 4 good teams and one poor one.
Aus has 5 unpredictably average to good teams.
NZ have 4 good teams, and a sink hole of talent.
No way can you justify breaking the current SANZAR agreement and get another team added to the comp.
8 May 2012, 11:59 am
@Brads(Brads)-80:
Might have misunderstood my post or let me put it another way.
I agree completely that at best only 3 teams in SA currently are competitive and deserve to play Super Rugby.
But it is not because lack of talent in SA.
I just find it amusing that people are so quick or just too happy to say stuff the other 2 or 3 franchises, let’s just have 3 without trying to figure out why we cannot make all 5 competitive or even have 6 competitive teams…
8 May 2012, 12:00 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-78: with the current incompetent fools running the unions it is not possible … sell the 5 or 6 franchises off to IPL types business people then yes … but you already know that.
BTW great article you posted on RW today about how the Kings are due for another good old fashioned rogering.
8 May 2012, 12:01 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-78:
Because the total money available in SA rugby is not enough to retain the 200 or so SA players plying their trade in Europe. And without them, we don’t have enough quality players to have 5 competitive teams.
We currently only have two and a half competitive teams in any given year.
Remember, the goal is not simply to have teams that can participate. It is to have teams that can win the bloody thing.
Sure the Cheetahs and Lions can currently participate, but they decrease the quality of the competition, much as the Rebels and Force do, resulting in an inferior product for the viewer.
Matfield actually presented a great concept in last night’s Super Rugby programme.
He suggested having the first round of the Currie Cup first thing year (replacing the Super Rugby derbies). Then the top 3 teams from SA go through to meet the top 3 teams from NZ’s NPC, and the top 3 teams from a local Aussie competition between their existing Super Rugby franchises.
You then have a Super 9 where only the best of the best compete, and the teams participating in this will change each year, depending on Currie Cup performance.
You will also have the Boks playing in the Currie Cup, thus ensuring high viewership interest in the local competition.
And you also limit the amount of rugby that the top players will have to engage in.
A system worth considering, in my view.
8 May 2012, 12:05 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-83: Like the top teams from the AVIVA Premiership playing in the Heineken Cup.
Only not as good.
8 May 2012, 12:06 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-83: I think that’s a great idea personally,
Good on Victor,
It needs a champion at Sports ministry level, someone who has the best interests of the game in mind, not the short term revenue that can be generated.
8 May 2012, 12:07 pm
@Brads(Brads)-80:
Why can’t Sanzar agreement be broken and Sa be granted sixth franchise? As long as Saru pay through the nose as compensation to ARU and NZRFU for their stuff-up, I see no reason why they can’t have another team.
8 May 2012, 12:07 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-79: can you believe it, the Keo Imp and his SASCOCK buddies are already telling atheletes who have already qualified for the Olympic games, that they cannot go … at the same time booking first class tickets for the suits and their families to go on an all expenses trip to the games.
Keo is a pathetic prick and must burn in hell … only problem is that the devil likes Imp’s.
8 May 2012, 12:09 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-83:
The only thing you are telling me is structural or administrative constraints are currently limiting us to producing more teams.
As good as Victor’s suggestion is, broadcasters won’t fall for it – they want more Super Rugby games, not less.
@RL(RL)-82:
Thanks! Only way I see this ending.
8 May 2012, 12:11 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-88:
Producing more ‘quality’ teams that is…
8 May 2012, 12:11 pm
ja, matfield said it
8 May 2012, 12:15 pm
Damn
Hondo talks the biggest load of **** on this site ever
8 May 2012, 12:15 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-72:
absolutely…
super 9 is the way to go… if nz wants 4 make it a super 10…
.
.
vic’s thing is exactly what i proposed when the whole s15 things was first proposed…
it is logical to build from the lowest through the the highest competitions through the year… thus ensuring that that best form teams get through to compete and Super Rugby lives up to it’s name and is Super in every respect…
the more they expand the more ordinary the rugby becomes…
8 May 2012, 12:16 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-90:
Ja, and that corrupt ANC cadre said that the Lions are 73 million in the red
8 May 2012, 12:19 pm
@ufo(ufo)-92: Exactly
It’s a case of short term commercial gain over long term development of the game in SA, which is where their (supposedly) primary responsibilities lie.
8 May 2012, 12:20 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-94:
How’s your gargantuan bandwidth
8 May 2012, 12:22 pm
@RL(RL)-93: no, doofus, that was the Pricewaterhouse accountats, GumaTac’s lawyers just quoted that audit as part of their evidence
bwahahahaha
“Court documents filed this week reveal that the Lions’ auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, wrote in May 2010 that the ability of the company to continue as a going concern depended on its ability to return to profitability.
Van der Walt included the financial figures for the 2007 to 2010 financial years, describing it as a “dramatic and continuing decline in the factual solvency”.
The Golden Lions’ financial woes have spiralled since 2007 when the company’s total liabilities exceeded its total assets as follows:• 2007: R48.6m;• 2008: R49.6m;• 2009: R63.7m;• 2010: R73.9m.
The rugby union’s financial situation is said to have deteriorated even further since then and, according to Van der Walt, the rugby union approached Absa Bank in October 2010 with a request to extend the terms of repayment of its overdraft.
“Absa was only willing to extend the period subject to the applicants’ (Guma TAC) providing a letter of undertaking to confirm future funding.”
8 May 2012, 12:23 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-94:
yip… all these guys are interested in are the commissions and/or bonuses for signing up these big deals…
what happens in future when they’re retired to their beach bungalows in the bahamas is of no concern to them…
8 May 2012, 12:23 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-95:
dawn… he’s happily married…!!
8 May 2012, 12:30 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-96: It’s 2012 now if you do not get it … do not come here with old news that is 3 years old and outdated.
Since then about 40 out of 70 contracted players were retrenched. New massive sponsors have come onboard. New equity partners have been signed up. A new president and new CEO cleaning up the mess.
Continue to live in the past Transformer. I can see the kak bribbling from your lips.
8 May 2012, 12:32 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-88: If the competition is shorter then SA and NZ have the depth to field 5 teams, not Aus. Where there was always a build up to the finals, there is now a slump after 10 weeks or so and I think this leads to a nonsustainable tournament. A tournament where the teams in the final is not at their best, because it is in the finals where the real revenue is generated.
I think 14 teams should participate, with 2 groups of 7, home and away and the then the top team from each group qualifies for the semi and 2 and 3 has a playoff for a semi spot. The problem with this is who will host the final. Neutral venues will not be the answer as SA will be at a disadvantage.
Matfield’s solution is the best in the perfect world, but Aus and NZ will not like it at all.
8 May 2012, 12:32 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-84:
Why do you say not as good?
8 May 2012, 12:33 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-33: Bath wanted him to extend by 3 years as captain and his market value (French clubs also wanted him) was 350 000.
He did return for considerably less – and if you know the guy you would also know he is not motivated by finance but by the belief he can make a difference. The lure to him was to be among the Kings’ Super Rugby pioneers and be a part of the history of a region that will always be home to him.
He played for EP as a 19 year old before being signed by the Sharks and he committed exclusively to EP on his return in the build-up to next year’s Sup Rug comp.
Have an opinion on him, have a view on his rugby, but don’t confuse that with who the person is. I have said it in every interview. I certainly won’t apologise that he is a good mate.
And yes I think he is a bloody good player who will prove it again to the SA public in next year’s Super Rugby comp
8 May 2012, 12:36 pm
@keo(keo)-102: that seems to be a big IF the Kings actually play next year?
What happens if they get shafted again?
8 May 2012, 12:38 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-95: Very good thanks. But it’s not the size of the bandwidth that counts, it;s what you do with it…..
Hellwho am I kidding. It’s the size that counts.
8 May 2012, 12:38 pm
@keo(keo)-102:
I hope you’re right, Luke Watson in 2006 was a fine player, if he can replicate those performances…
8 May 2012, 12:39 pm
@keo(keo)-102:
Keo…
How come he hasn’t been playing for the Kings…? Or at least I haven’t seen him in highlights of the few Kings games I’ve managed to see…
Is he injured…?
What happened and how long is he out for…?
8 May 2012, 12:39 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-104: all about how many up- and downloads you can do
8 May 2012, 12:43 pm
@keo(keo)-102: Ok so I got the amount right.
I’ve had some rugby players as clients over the years, both Springboks and other guys playing overseas so I have a reasonable idea of what they earn.
The fact I am not a huge fan of Luke is just a personal opinion, but as i said to Transie, it’s not like I hate the guy or anything. That seems to be the viewpoint of some who cannot believe that you could not either love him or hate him. If I spent time with him I may well come to change my mind, but its like that with many things.
8 May 2012, 12:43 pm
@RL(RL)-87: I’d be very interested to learn the ratio of athlete to support staff * at this year’s games. Last time round it was ridiculous.
* including the family, agents, therapists and support staff of the support staff.
8 May 2012, 12:44 pm
@RL(RL)-99: look chap, you said the “corrupt anc cadre said” and i corrected you, capische.
8 May 2012, 12:46 pm
@trupisero(trupisero)-107:
This could go south in a bad way.
8 May 2012, 12:46 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-83:
Victor’s suggestion would be even easier if the CC simply fell into the RSA S15 conference… as it stands the 5 home and away games of the conference represents the best of RSA rugby players… the CC has long been down-graded and does not.
8 May 2012, 12:48 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-108:
exactly… it doesn’t always have to be one extreme or the other…
8 May 2012, 12:50 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-108: if it walks like a duck & quacks like one is usually is a duck M
8 May 2012, 12:52 pm
@ufo(ufo)-113: ja, one can sit on the fence
8 May 2012, 12:54 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-65:
I think you must take a look at your Sharks before you start trowing stones at the Lions supporters.
Round 10 2012(2011)
Blues – 24564 (17,301)
Saders – 17501 (15,010)
Canes – 14716 (10,143)
Chiefs – 12013 (7,766)
Hlands – 16533 (9,413)
Waratah – 20812 (20,493)
Brumbies – 13199 (13,110)
Force – 14688 (16,201)
Rebels – 13560 (17,141)
Reds – 32679 (33,600)
Lions – 23599 (22,351)
Stormer – 40315 (41,850)
Bulls – 32790 (32,105)
Sharks – 23288 (29,140)
Cheetah – 23766 (20,187
8 May 2012, 12:56 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-114:
In SA Rugby, it could also be a ******* amazing chicken!
8 May 2012, 12:56 pm
PA
Short answer IMO (I’m no expert) is difficulty in recruiting the right playing and coaching talent to the sixth franchise. Yeah we can have 6 but we’ll have a new team that even the lions can put 30 or 40 points over. But as Tac said above, we choose 3 good teams that can win the prize or 6 so so teams
8 May 2012, 12:57 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-115:
exactly… one can sit on the fence… no space for two… and you’ve sorta made it your own…
not being extreme doesn’t equate to sitting on the fence… just means being considered in your approach and more rational in your comments…
8 May 2012, 12:59 pm
@PissAnt(PissAnt)-117:
good one!
8 May 2012, 13:01 pm
Keo was here?
8 May 2012, 13:02 pm
@umkhonto(umkhonto)-116:
stormers comfortably ahead there i see…
8 May 2012, 13:03 pm
@keo(keo)-102: didn’t your client also say that he wanted to lead the Kings to Currie Cup qualification? What happened there? Was he injured when a “black” Boland team moered his transformed “white” Kings team?
Face it Keo, the Kings claim to superrugby participantion is based on weak transformation claims if they all they are interested in buying is “white” players from the Lions to fill their white elephant stadium so that your connected buddies can line thier pockets … lets not talk about what you and Luke stand to gain financially.
@transformer how do you know that that report was not the work of a corrupt ANC cadre … and I can still see the kak on your lips.
8 May 2012, 13:04 pm
@umkhonto(umkhonto)-116: like i asked yesterday, where do you source these numbers?
plus the GLRU has resorted to “BUY ONE GET ONE FREE” schemes to convince people to get to the Coke Blik, same with the Cheetahs selling Super Rugby tickets for R20 to UOVS students.
8 May 2012, 13:06 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-114: You don’t know me well enough to make that judgement.
8 May 2012, 13:07 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-124: which is worse, selling test tickets for a lowly England team to the poor hordes at 500 bucks a pop or selling tickets at reasonable prices to drunk students?
8 May 2012, 13:08 pm
In support of Matfield’s idea, I also think we should forget the regional team system i.e. WP should play Super Rugby as WP etc. Forget Stormers and all that. Teams like the Bulls and Stormers barely use players from the other unions in their region anyway. The only team that rely a lot on the other unions in their region is the cheetas, with all the Griquas players in their team.
8 May 2012, 13:10 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-124: you can visit the SARU web site for the attendance figures … you can also get the full prices for all test matches there … nor just some selected stands
8 May 2012, 13:16 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-124:
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE,show me where you dug this bullsh1t from, and as for the figures they have been collected by a NZlander on planetrugby. He does them every week.
8 May 2012, 13:19 pm
This one is going to end in tears.
8 May 2012, 13:20 pm
@umkhonto(umkhonto)-129: can you believe that EP rugby is selling tickets for a lowly England match at the same price as 3N ticket prices.
8 May 2012, 13:32 pm
The Southern Kings are not a side of the region which should include players from Border EP & SWD. Where are they in the mix? Where is the unified face of the Eastern Cape or is this the Cheeky & Solly dog and pony show? Where is SARU’s risk assessment on the financial fall out that will effect all unions as well as SARU.
8 May 2012, 13:41 pm
Good to see the Mighty Elephants Rise again!!
8 May 2012, 13:55 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-133: Courtesy of Mr Chad Kroeger:
“Climb into the ring for a battle that you can’t win
Swing as hard as you can swing, it will still mean nothing
Should’ve seen it coming
It had to happen sometime
But you went and brought a knife
To an all out gun fight
And the only thing to save
Is the banner that you wave
To be wrapped around your grave
You’ve gone too far
(get up, get up)
Who do you think you are
(get up so we can finish this)
Is this what you came for
(get up, get up)
Well this means war
(get up so we can finish this)
Say anything you want
But talk will get you nowhere
The only thing you’ve brought was psychological warfare
Well there’s no getting out
And now you got to wonder
Who will dig you out when you’re six feet under
And the only thing to save
Is the banner that you wave
To be wrapped around your grave
You’ve gone too far
(get up, get up)
Who do you think you are
(get up so we can finish this)
Is this what you came for
(get up, get up)
Well this means war
(get up so we can finish this)“
8 May 2012, 14:09 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-133: Please remind me when they were mighty, any year will do ? I have nothing against EP which used have an affiliation to Transavaal in the early 90′s but the Kings is SARU grown pile of manure with the old gaurd of SARU running the the Nelson Mandela stadium.
8 May 2012, 14:10 pm
All this opinion about the Lions vs Kings are really stupid. The facts are simple , the Kings or rather EP has been promised participation in Super rugby for the last few years. This year SARU had to make good and officially said they will play super rugby from next year. They deserve to be there as much as the other provinces , the fact that someone must make way for them is SARU fault not the Kings.
So why does the Kings deserve to be ahead of the Lions ? They don’t really but the Kings deserve a chance and one team must lose out , one of the current teams playing super rugby and at this stage that is the Lions.
Historically they have been poor and this year that trend continued. Sure they lost a lot of players but at the same time so has the Bulls , Stormers etc. The difference is that the other Unions planned and recruited better.
Last year CC the Stormers took some risk’s and played their youngsters while their Boks are away. The gambled paid off and we can see how the likes of Carr,Kolisi,Etzebeth and both the props , then off course there is the Bulls youngsters as well that played for WP last year.
The Argument that the Kings cannot even win at CC holds zero water and is just short sighted. Let me say this clearly , the Kings CC team will not be the Kings Super rugby team !! They will recruit new players. No player will committ and lose money until they know that they will play super rugby! How will the Kings sign anyone ? Alan Solly said that they ID some potential players and I believe some from the UK so SA will gain from that ! The only problem I have is that they are using a Kiwi coach.
Lastly , Luke Watson gave up a huge salary and the captaincy of Bath to commit to the Kings , he is def not in it for the money. People just love to hate
8 May 2012, 14:24 pm
@RL(RL)-123: hahahaha take the hit and move on charlie, you were wrong, i call you out…deal with it
8 May 2012, 14:24 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-134:
lol I dont pften say Thank you to a CT showpony
@umkhonto(umkhonto)-135:
1993
@sparticus(sparticus)-136:
Luke Watson has unfortunately lift long lasting imprint on SA rugby with his actions in recent years. But truth be told, a fine player he was but not right sort for Boks. Other then Brussouw?? how many small loose forwards have worn the Bok colors on a regular basis and commandered a test spot in recent years??
Luke is now playing rugby to serve his community and he should be appluaded for that. There are not many like him in professional sport today. Especially when he could have being making millions in Europe.
this passionate trait runs strong in his family as we all know.
8 May 2012, 14:27 pm
@umkhonto(umkhonto)-129: are you denying that for the Stormers match at Coke Tin the tickets were going for “BUY ONE GET ONE FREE”?
8 May 2012, 14:27 pm
@umkhonto(umkhonto)-135:
Yes. even today EVERY union in SA outside the big 4 (NTvl, Tvl, Natal, WP) are feeder unions. How many CT born players in WP side?? and such.
My blood is blue, my heart is Despatch
Regardless of the politics, we must accept what ever happens. So if the MIghty elephants are back..I will smile.
8 May 2012, 14:34 pm
SARU.Mistah Kurz dying words.Oh the horror.The
horror.
Thanks Mr Conrad.
8 May 2012, 14:41 pm
@umkhonto(umkhonto)-129: where do i get what “bullshit”?
Lions slash ticket prices
View 81 comments | Comment on
this story
2012-03-20 14:08
Johannesburg – Coca-Cola Park
will be the place to be on Saturday,
March 24 when the Lions take on
the Stormers in their Vodacom
Super Rugby clash at 19:10.
Tickets have been priced as
follows for the North and
South stands:
Adults:Two-for-one special. Buy
one ticket for R60 and get one free
Students:Two-for-one special.
Buy one ticket for R30 and get one
free
Scholars:Tickets cost R10 each
Tickets are available at the Coca-
Cola Park Ticket Office between
08:00 and 16:00 from Monday to
Friday.
On Saturday at the stadium,
scholars will pay just R10 and
students R15 each behind the
poles.
For those who prefer to sit higher
up in the stands, tickets are priced
at just R35 each – a 50% discount
per ticket for tickets in the East
Upper stand.
Sport24
Read more on: lions | stormers
| super 15 | johannesburg |
rugby
8 May 2012, 14:44 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-138: In my opinion Luke is an excellent leader and rugby player , maybe not test match material but def at Super rugby level.
8 May 2012, 14:45 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-137:
Cheers transformer … we will talk more about how hordes of poor are being charged 3N ticket prices for a lowly England match
8 May 2012, 14:53 pm
@sparticus(sparticus)-143:
I agree. He would walk into the England team though!
8 May 2012, 15:04 pm
Sh!ts about to hit the fan!
8 May 2012, 15:24 pm
Down a Lion, feel satisfied.
8 May 2012, 15:25 pm
@Oranjebliksemblou(Oranjebliksemblou)-146: yep, the Kings will be shelved again, only to be revived when SARU wants another guarantee for a world cup bid
if SARU can’t raise its own billion pounds then the ’95 world cup was the last one ever in SA.
8 May 2012, 15:34 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-142:
And so they damn well should… any stadium with any fiscal nouse would… more bums on seats = more food and beverage revenue for starters… which can add millions to their bottom line over a season.
8 May 2012, 15:40 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-149: hehehehehe get them sloshed hey
how much is a ticket to a rebels game in comparison?
8 May 2012, 15:53 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-148: I guess the story will be something like: the Kings are guarenteed a spot … only if a sixth team is allowed. Then they can say they did not go back on their word and it is all the skelm Aussies’ fault.
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