Kings mess deepens
17 Jul 2012
After unanimously agreeing to their inclusion early this year it is reported the presidents council will re-vote on whether the Kings should play Super Rugby in 2013.
In January it was announced that the Kings would participate in the tournament, but now Die Burger reports Saru CEO Jurie Roux has scheduled a meeting for 16 August, with the Eastern Cape franchise once again the main topic of discussion.
The paper indicates the presidents will apparently be given the following options to choose from:
- The Kings gain Super Rugby promotion at the expense of the Lions;
- The Kings gain promotion, but in a collaborative effort the Lions’ top players then play Super Rugby for them;
- The Lions and Cheetahs merge to again become a franchise (they played together as the Cats from 1998-2005);
- Rugby bosses scrap the Kings’ inclusion altogether.
On Sunday it was reported the Kings had accepted a R40 million pay-off to stand down from Super Rugby until 2016. They have denied this, stressing their determination to be involved next year. Upon making the decision in January there was no plan around how a sixth South African franchise would be included.
Saru’s attempts to bully Sanzar into changing the tournament format failed forcing the governing body to reassess their course of action. This latest desperate attempt to reach a solution simply serves to further tarnish the country’s reputation in rugby circles.
Roux responded to the report through a media release, saying: ‘Reports of proposed alternatives to be considered at the meeting were purely speculative. But the decision rests with the general council and until they have made that decision it serves no purpose to become involved in speculation on any scenarios.’
The release added: ‘Each of the 14 provincial unions has two voting seats on the council (one of whom must be the union president or his deputy). The Saru president, Oregan Hoskins, also has a vote, making 29 votes in all.
54 Comments
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18 Jul 2012, 13:35 pm
@Biscuit(Biscuit)-49: true…do we know how negotiated the latest ‘mess’? I seem to remember it was that guy who played centre for Wales who is / was with SARU?
We were well and truly hoodwinked. And that is why we need good professional businessmen looking after our interests. Not amateurs.
And for those who do not think that SA can field 6 teams…..how many quality players do we have playing in the NH?!!!
18 Jul 2012, 14:16 pm
@XV(XV)-51:
There was a negotiating team but I suppose Acting MD Andy Marinos was in charge
I dont hold abnything against Marinos ebcause he was Ácting’in his position for years.
Furthermore I dont think Marinos was given proper support.
I blame the fools at SARU for not appointing a professional MD earlier.
@BrumbiesBoy(BrumbiesBoy)-50:
No ways is 4 teams going to happen. EVen if I want it that way myself
Its going to expand not contract.
Watch SA get its 6th side with another from Japan and Islands
Not sure about the 3rd extra side. Maybe Argentina?
Argentina Pampas side played Vodacom Cup in SA this year.
18 Jul 2012, 14:23 pm
@XV(XV)-51:
XV was, like me was bemoaning how we could stuff it up as badly as we did.
However getting our ducks in a row now is not so easy.
One of the ducks is the fate of the 6th team.
In some ways it helps to know what that result will be to get that duck in a row.
I admire ONeils acumen but I dislike the git.
He misrepresented things in the media all the way through the negotiations and formed a Aus/NZ cartel. Of course we duffed the PR and Comms as well.
Wouldnt trust him as far as I vcould chuck him. Would rather have him on my side though.
It essential that negotiations begin ASAP though.
If it doesnt we are then left with no time to make alternative plans.
18 Jul 2012, 14:46 pm
Yo Keo, when the dust has settled on this year’s (not-so-Super) Rugby season how about an honest, logical poll on what format Super Rugby should take after 2016?
Give “reasonable” suggestions for increasing/decreasing amount of teams allowed etc and let’s see what the general feeling is. These findings could then be forwarded to SANZAR on our behalf as representation of what (I would imagine is a fairly large website) feels.
Go on, I dare you.
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