Super Rugby format a failure
7 Aug 2012
Sports scientist Ross Tucker says there’s little to be positive about when looking back at the 2012 Super Rugby campaign.
The Super Rugby play-off rounds painted an entertaining picture. The Chiefs and Sharks surprised many with their runs into the title decider, following semi-final victories over seven-time champions the Crusaders and table-topping Stormers respectively. The New Zealand franchise then powered to their first Super Rugby crown with a 37-6 triumph in front of their cowbell-ringing fans.
However, as a spectator, one was left disappointed after the Hamilton final. We had to witness one team, who enjoyed a week’s break before the final four stage, capitalise on a side that travelled across the Indian Ocean three times in as many weeks.
One may argue that the Chiefs earned this advantage by securing a higher position on the overall standings. But shouldn’t a final be a fair contest? A match which sees the two in-form teams of the tournament battle it out on more equal grounds?
We saw the Crusaders struggle in the same scenario last season, as they traveled from Nelson to Cape Town before losing in Brisbane to the Reds, who had the advantage the Chiefs had this season.
What’s worse is that there’s nothing that can be done to change the current style of the 15-team tournament. Well … not for the next three seasons at least as Sanzar is committed to a broadcasting contract that only expires in 2015.
Tucker believes the current Super Rugby format isn’t successful.
‘Super Rugby has become a money-driven competition, with a strong bias towards to the Australian teams,’ Tucker told keo.co.za. ‘It’s a shame because Super Rugby was such a strong competition, especially when it was still the Super 12. It was strength versus strength every weekend.
‘In the current format, Australia, who have the weakest conference in Super Rugby, are promised at least one team in the play-offs. And their conference winner will be guaranteed home-ground advantage in their play-off game, despite having less log points than some of the other teams placed below them [the Crusaders, Bulls and Sharks had more log points than the Reds this year].
‘This disadvantages the strongest nation in Super Rugby, which was South Africa this season as they had three teams in the top six. We had to see the Bulls and Sharks travel for their play-off matches, which had a negative impact on their momentum. The Sharks did well, but the travel factor caught up to them.’
Tucker also questioned whether the extended tournament schedule was favoured by supporters.
‘Time to time, Sanzar have been raving about increases in ratings for certain matches and at certain stadiums, but I’m sure that the amount of rugby played has had a negative overall impact. Especially when it comes to rugby in South Africa. With the Currie Cup, we could see the Sharks play the Bulls up to five times a year, which is too much.
‘This structure also robs the spectators of major matches. The top teams don’t always face each other, so some fans would have to wait three to four years before a side like the Crusaders or the Chiefs tour to their stadium.’
Injuries were also a major concern during the season. While several players suffered long-term spells on the sidelines midway through the campaign, it was a common sight to see players limping off early during the play-offs. There were nine injury-forced changes before half-time during the knockout rounds, while there were several substitutions made shortly after the second half restart.
While the annual player exodus is already an issue in all three Sanzar nations, the hectic Super Rugby schedule is likely to encourage more players jet off to Japan and Europe. Japan will become an ideal move as players play half the amount of rugby (because of their foreign player restrictions that only allows three international players in the starting line-up) and get paid more.
Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Ryan Kankowski, Wynand Olivier, Jerome Kaino and Sonny Bill Williams have already formed part of this Asian trend, and many more top players could be lost to Super Rugby by the end of 2015. And who could blame them? Test players have to go through Super Rugby, June inbound tours midway through the competition, the Rugby Championship and the end-of-year tour.
‘The current Super Rugby format does not take the players’ welfare into consideration,’ argued Tucker. ‘I think if we had to do a study by the end of 2015, I’m sure we’d notice players’ careers ending far earlier than compared to past studies. It’s quite unfortunate actually – players would actually have to suffer long-term injuries to prolong their careers. A guy like Schalk Burger would have benefitted from the rest he received this year, even though it was because of injury.
‘There is a point that coaches will need to build bigger squads and use better management plans. They’ll need three quality players in every position to survive the campaign. But there’s still no reason for the season to stretch over so many months. The NFL in America has the shortest season of all the top sports, but it’s the richest code in the world.
‘These changes to Super Rugby have been made for the wrong reasons. The powers in charge will need to take all the negative factors into account.’
By Gareth Duncan
297 Comments
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7 Aug 2012, 12:54 pm
Bolt is too cool for school.
He reminds me of my buddy in China.
7 Aug 2012, 12:58 pm
@Robzim-98: @Puma-99:
This event show casing London as a magnificent venue.
7 Aug 2012, 12:59 pm
@wait for it, wait for it…-85: The fact that they are doing it irks me, but it’s not my main gripe
The fact that many can’t see it happening is what p # sses me off most though…..
Is it good for SA rugby? It can’t be.
@the artist formerly known as gunther-92: I am talking future Bok resources being hauled to the Bulls. Meyer is still pulling the strings up north. This is all part of the master plan my friend.
7 Aug 2012, 13:00 pm
Brownlee Brothers already forcing the pace on the bike in a breakaway group of 5. They going to be very hard to stop from here. Murray 1.15 behind.
7 Aug 2012, 13:01 pm
The Super Rugby format is not only a failure, but a joke too.
7 Aug 2012, 13:04 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-92: not so FREE if you’re a new zealand player! check the last paragraph hehehe “overseer”
Sabbaticals an issue for NZRU
7/8/2012 4:15 AM Lynn McConnell
Rugby administrators are wrestling with the prospect of more players wanting to take sabbaticals, playing or otherwise, after the Super Rugby season but at the expense of involvement in the ITM Cup.
The New Zealand Rugby Union’s general manager of professional rugby, Neil Sorensen said it was an increasing issue, especially among non-All Blacks, and he attributed it to franchise contracting.
“What we have to say is: how is this going to pan out, what is in the best interests of the ITM Cup unions, Super Rugby, the All Blacks, the kids themselves? The key thing is we have to take a mature approach about it,” he said.
Former Otago and now Crusaders lock Tom Donnelly was one player who had taken the approach recently.
Hurricanes and Wellington loose forward Faifili Levave was different. He had a resignation clause in his contract once the Super Rugby season was completed.
“He resigned, Wellington couldn’t contract him, the Hurricanes were desperate to, he was off to Japan, and then the Hurricanes said, ‘Why don’t you come back at the end of Japan for Super Rugby next year?”he said.
That was why it had been expected that all the players would look to take up overseas contracts instead of playing the ITM Cup.
But Sorensen said the NZRU would not allow them to do that.
However, at the same time there were exceptions. There had been a player who had approached them to do the same thing but he was coming back after injury not having played too much for a couple of years.
“He’d been paid a lot of money to play two or three games, so we said no to him but we will take it on a case-by-case basis.
“If you said that you gave a guy an ITM Cup season off, as long as he committed to coming back and playing two years for New Zealand rugby at both Super and ITM Cup level then you might consider it.”
While there was a policy decision forthcoming from the NZRU board, Sorensen said a thought might be if a player had played seven seasons of Super Rugby maybe the player had the right to apply for a sabbatical and the NZRU would be more lenient on those types of people.
If there were 10-20 players who had given service that warranted consideration for such a sabbatical it was something that might be worth considering, especially if they were to be retained by New Zealand after the break.
There was concern from the chief executives of the ITM Cup member sides over what the consequences of such a policy but Sorensen said it wasn’t something the NZRU agreed with because it wasn’t in their interests, however, they did show flexibility.
Sabbatical breaks had been negotiated by Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Ma’a Nonu and Tony Woodcock.
Sorensen said if the NZRU was going to be contracting players until 2016 it was his belief that some time out of rugby was a good thing.
“Rather than just play rugby I would rather they took time off and went and saw the pyramids or went on a trek to the base camp in the Himalayas, or something like that because I think we have a moral obligation that when we give these kids, some of them are 22-years-old and earning $200,000 a year, to assist them in managing that
7 Aug 2012, 13:04 pm
@cane-102:
Indeed, and to make things even better for the Brits their cyclists and triathletes are /were really performing in the events that are taking place in the streets of London. Cycling has never been as popular in that place as right now and Bradly Wiggins has overnight became a national hero.
7 Aug 2012, 13:08 pm
@wait for it, wait for it…-95: Didn’t Just-in Marshall pretty much admit it gets coached into them, on live TV? Why are you still surprised? Especially considering the wonderful integrity *gag* of that duo of Hansen and Smith…if ever there were two guys you wouldn’t leave your kids alone with haha “anything’s ok as long as you don’t get caught”
7 Aug 2012, 13:14 pm
Gauteng looking like a winter wonderland…. Snow snow everywhere, but not enough yet to make a snowman… Wow this is quite spectacular…
7 Aug 2012, 13:14 pm
I agree with your above article Gareth Duncan and I also agree with 105 Willie VZ The comp format is a joke, by rights the Queensland Red should of been placed in 6th spot o the log, then they would of travelled to Sth Africa and the Sharks may of got a home game. The same problem exisits between NZ and the Aussies…we play 3 of our game for the Bledisloe cup, but we have to play 2 of the games in Australia because there’s so little chance of them beating NZ 2 out of 3 games. The Holders of the Bledisloe cup is suppose to have 2 home games. But No we have to catter to the weak Australian side who think they are the best….
7 Aug 2012, 13:16 pm
@Gumboots-109: A mate has sent me a few pics – unreal.
7 Aug 2012, 13:16 pm
Murray (SA) up to 23rd in the Triathlon.
So far has improved 20 places on the cycle stage.
7 Aug 2012, 13:19 pm
@Gumboots-109:
The beauty of a single snowfake.
Tis something to behold.
7 Aug 2012, 13:20 pm
@cane-94:
hey cane…
because i know you’re objective… and of course you care…
please give us the stats for yellow cards and citings in super rugby as a total per million population for sa, nz and aus over the last few years…
7 Aug 2012, 13:21 pm
@cane-112:
He is a very fast runner but still more than a minute behind – the one Brownlee brother must still do a 15 sec penalty for jumping on his bike too soon in the transition area so it could become interesting. I think their is a kiwi in the front bunch as well who is still in with a good shot.
7 Aug 2012, 13:21 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-103:
Must they all rather stay in Cape Town my angel?
Nienaber is from the United Free States.
he can go where he wants until the ANC decides otherwise.
7 Aug 2012, 13:24 pm
@cane-112: There is a Kiwi riding on his butt in the chase group. What’s the bet the Kiwi tries to knock Murray off his bicycle?
7 Aug 2012, 13:25 pm
The Super Rugby competition is Super S.hi.t. There is way too much rugby overall all which detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
We should go back to the format where the top 4 teams from the Currie Cup earns the right to participate in Super 12.
Get rid of these endless local derbies. The CC will cater for that.
7 Aug 2012, 13:26 pm
@Gumboots-109:
check out the links on news24…
jozi looking like saskatoon, canada…
and plenty of snow
menpeople to be seen…7 Aug 2012, 13:27 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-116: Yes Gunther. He can go where he wants until the Bok coach and his BBRU cohorts decide otherwise
Talk to me about Heyneke saying that he will ‘coach’ Morne Steyn back into form? HTF does that work, and will he be able to do this in 2 weeks? Or should I ask Taccy? (Meyer’s conscience…)
7 Aug 2012, 13:28 pm
@Robzim-115: Johnny has to sit on the pavement… 15 secs a long time in this.
7 Aug 2012, 13:28 pm
@cane-113:
Absolutely
@ufo-119:
Will do! It is still sleeting here in Pretoria and is causing traffic chaos… LOL
Not used this type of weather…
7 Aug 2012, 13:31 pm
@TooMuchRugby-118:
yes exaclty.
divide the super rugby competition into two bits.
local bit 6 top teams play home and away local derbies call it the Currie Cup (the others can call theirs what they want) top 3 go through to super rugby against top 3 from new Zealand and Australia. top two from that play a final.
bring back proper tours instead.
7 Aug 2012, 13:32 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-121:
If I was him I do it asap and get it over with. I think his brother Alistair is the faster of the 2 but not by much, going to be very exciting.
7 Aug 2012, 13:32 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-117:
What’s the bet,
the Saffa, Murray, hands Gemmell (the Kiwi), a dodgy drink bottle.
deja vue.
7 Aug 2012, 13:37 pm
@ufo-114:
You give me more credit than I deserve UFO.
Among the arse-holes on Keo…………….and there are many…………………….I consider myself as good as the best.
In short……………………………..I do not know how to access the information you request.
7 Aug 2012, 13:38 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-123: That makes a lot of sense.
At last we agree on something.
It will mean the end of regional teams though,although teams like the Bulls and Stormers haven’t been truly regional for a couple of years now.
7 Aug 2012, 13:41 pm
@cane-126:
hehehe…
@cane-125:
typical kiwi… expecting a saffa to come to his aid and solve his problems…
he should have his own bottle/seconds/kitbag…
deja vue.
7 Aug 2012, 13:42 pm
@TooMuchRugby-127:
I exactly.
I don’t think thats a bad thing.
Neither have the sharks or the Lions.
This would also solve the kings lions issue.
Kings can be one of the 6 teams and compete for the right to play in the international leg.
@Robzim-124:
Are they going to hold hands over the finish line again?
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-120:
no he can go where he wants.
if the boks want to hire him then they must pay.
you haven’t answered my question.
must he stay in the cape because you want him to?
7 Aug 2012, 13:45 pm
@cane-125:
And while Murray and Gemmell are brawling, John o Neill will enter the race on a scooter, and pull the Aussies to victory (but not before scoring a $555555555555555555555555555 broadcasting deal)
7 Aug 2012, 13:47 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-129:
At some or other time the one will have to take a tea break for 15 seconds and I doubt whether the other one will wait for him.
7 Aug 2012, 13:49 pm
Murray is 1.15 behind with run to go- impossible to catch up over 10km at this level of running.
7 Aug 2012, 13:50 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-129: Most of us were aware he didn’t renew his contract here. But just in case this final bit of info didn’t reach the masses: Rassie wants Nienaber to help with the Boks.
He (like all others) can go where he wants. I just don’t understand why anyone would want to leave CT to live anywhere else in SA…(even for $$$$):)
I would actually not be ‘that’ distressed if he left here to be honest. He has made our other coaches lazy…..If he goes, those remaining will need to up their game (READ: Fleck…., which might not be the worst thing in the world.
7 Aug 2012, 13:56 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-130:
I think O’Neils days are numbered Mad Eye.
He married himself to Dingo Deans and will pay the price.
7 Aug 2012, 13:56 pm
@Robzim-124: Fantastic crowds watching this! (Then again, every event has seen people flock in their thousands)
7 Aug 2012, 13:59 pm
First time since 1964.
Snow in Pretoria
7 Aug 2012, 13:59 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-133:
I’m sure he does.
they are very close.
he would leave province whilst Rassie was still there.
and now he will.
so let’s not blame this whole thing on Meyer.
there is enough to blame him for without that.
7 Aug 2012, 14:02 pm
@Atreides-108:
exaclty
i mean ‘if kevvie says he didn’t do it’…
duh,,?,,
(rolling eyes smiley)
7 Aug 2012, 14:03 pm
Come on Gomez……………………………………..
Go mez.
These Brownlees piss me off more than those Du Plessis.
7 Aug 2012, 14:04 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-135:
Ja, they have been lucky as far as the weather is concerned as well. Jonny is gone.
7 Aug 2012, 14:04 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-137: Meyer and ‘taking the blame’ are going to be tight mates for the near future
Now tell me how he is going to “coach” Morne into form in 2 weeks? I would like the recipe.@Atlas-136: You are going to find thousands of lunatics taking to the streets of Pretoria, waiting to be raptured (If Spies is one of them, let him go. The end is near and all that jazz.
7 Aug 2012, 14:04 pm
Gomez is cracking.
7 Aug 2012, 14:05 pm
@Atlas-136:
is it blou snow?
7 Aug 2012, 14:09 pm
johny calls the Chemist- the chemist does not call.
7 Aug 2012, 14:10 pm
@Robzim-144: Falling mirror?
7 Aug 2012, 14:11 pm
@>^..^< katman-145:
Sharp!!
7 Aug 2012, 14:13 pm
Kevin Pietersen’s having one of his angst moments. What a character
7 Aug 2012, 14:14 pm
@Robzim-146: This is supposedly “live” in the Goodhope Centre, although I strongly suspect this is the album version dubbed over the footage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgcFKj6F8Uc
Good track nonetheless.
7 Aug 2012, 14:14 pm
2 Medals for the brothers here…..these two are in the Chris Ashton/Stuart Broad mould of Pom sportsmen. (and they run funny – gawky as hell)
7 Aug 2012, 14:15 pm
This bloke must be the best triathlete over the standard distance ever. Amazing that he can swim so well as he is so skinny.
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