Saru’s Super Rugby solution not set in stone

Saru’s Super Rugby solution not set in stone

23 Aug 2012

GARETH DUNCAN says while most of South Africa bemoaned Saru’s decision-making in accommodating the Southern Kings next season, many missed the fine print.

On Thursday last week, Saru announced that the Lions would be relegated from the South African Super Rugby conference in order to make way for the Kings. This was the decision voted by majority of the 14 unions at the annual general meeting, after no other suitable solution could be drawn up after months and months of negotiations and emergency meetings.

Saru also announced its promotion-relegation initiative, which will allow the Lions to compete for a Super Rugby place in 2014 as they’ll face next year’s last placed South African franchise in a play-off.

Many pundits see this as a lose-lose situation. And they are right.

Let’s look at the Kings.

It’s ridiculous to expect them to escape the wooden spoon in their debut season (well, at least in the South African conference which was the strongest group in this year’s competition). Super Rugby trends have proven that the newbies don’t do well during their early years. The Melbourne Rebels and Western Force finished last in their debut campaigns and still feature in the bottom half of the table every season, despite the odd upset victory. The Lions and Cheetahs haven’t fared much better since splitting from the Cats initiative in 2006.

The Kings will also struggle to recruit the necessary player base to be competitive at Super Rugby level. High-profile names will be hesitant to sign a one-year contract as the Eastern Cape franchise can’t guarantee tournament participation in 2014.

Saru’s answer to the media’s question of the Kings not being given enough time to carry out the necessary plans to ensure they will be competitive in 2013 was that the confirmation on their exclusion was made ‘several months ago’.

If this is so, the national administrators handled the situation poorly.

There were several stories that speculated the Kings were going to be dropped at the last minute. This including the report from the Weekend Argus in July that Saru offered the Eastern Cape franchise R40 million to stall their Super Rugby ambitions until 2016. If this was false, why didn’t Saru come out publicly and denounce these rumours?

This did the Kings no favours.

Kings boss Cheeky Watson has complained that they’re not happy with being given only one season to prove themselves. But Saru CEO Jurie Roux has revealed a way for them to extend their stay.

While most of the media focused on lamenting Saru’s decision, Roux confirmed that if the Kings received the majority vote to have an extended stay in Super Rugby at the next annual general meeting, and if this was passed by Saru’s executive council, then it would be granted.

Roux did, however, add that this is unlikely.

When it comes to the Lions, they’re in a very tricky situation.

While they’re in the Super Rugby wilderness, they’re also in trouble financially as reported on keo.co.za on Wednesday.

Saru confirmed that they are in negotiations with powers up north to see if the Lions could compete in any European competitions in 2013, but this is unlikely to happen as the European season starts in a couple of weeks.

However, Roux revealed a way for the Lions to feature in Super Rugby next season. He said the South African franchises are ‘businesses’ and they are allowed to run their ‘businesses’ as they’re pleased. So if the Lions were to amalgamate with another South African franchise, this would be allowed.

The only issue is, who would want to merge with a franchise in financial turmoil? The Lions have shot themselves in the foot (maybe even the chest) in the way they’ve run their business.

Saru’s Super Rugby solution is not set in stone. The Lions and Kings are likely to appeal its current terms, but the national union is unlikely to budge. If possible, the franchises should look at the fine print to solve their woes, more so the Kings.

Follow Gareth on Twitter
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623 Comments

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  • 451.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:20 am

    @Heavens Game-448: :lol: i have also suspected the one you speak of, :lol:

  • 452.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:22 am

    Dusky also says its the one you speak of :lol:

  • 453.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:24 am

    @Heavens Game-450: true…multiple personalities that all have some form of psychosis

  • 454.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:24 am

    @Heavens Game-450: A few more than 2 but i agree

  • 455.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:26 am

    @Heavens Game-448: And you only worked that out now? Do you ever read anything posted here? After I was accused of all sorts of multinics I tried to educate the lot of you as to the best methods of ID’ing multinics and double posters.

    The phrase you are mentioning, that exposed the person was “Fritzlfreaks”. It was clear as day for those with any intelligence what so ever to see: A very ‘SPACEd out mess’. (Sad to say, you seem to have a little grey matter as you noticed it as well – credit where it is due.)

    Now that you seem to be up to cutting it in the world of CSI:Keo, please assist a few of your friends, as their detection skills are absolutelyfuckingwoeful.

  • 456.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:26 am

    @sharks_lover-451: @sharks_lover-452: What they do have in common is a tendency for long posts… Will catch it sometime :lol:

  • 457.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:28 am

    HG bro you gotta laugh at someone using multi nics and then not remembering under which name it
    posting :lol:

  • 458.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:29 am

    @trupisero-453: Fcked in the piesang… Far too obsessed with the sh.yte on this site… :lol:

  • 459.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:30 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-455: Known it for ages…. Can see through you little multinic fckers as clear as day… Old HG just gives you some rope… and then pounces…

    BOOM!

  • 460.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:31 am

    @sharks_lover-452: Dusky was the kakkest multinic stealer ever.
    Honestly. The twat clean forgot he was posting under my stolen nic….
    And it’s only the Cape folk who are fuckdinthehead?

    Now a serious question: Where are you Sharks fellows displaying that S15 trophy you won?
    And why are you hiding it away?

  • 461.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:32 am

    @sharks_lover-457: Dusky and Wooden Spoon are the undisputed champs in this regard……look no further for multinic paralympians.

  • 462.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:32 am

    @sharks_lover-457: Straight shooting :lol: I think I gonna have a war here today… Gonna cause havoc and really turn this multinic fcked up site upside down, rightside up…. :wink:

  • 463.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:33 am

    @Heavens Game-459: :lol: Hg i ignore it for the most, lifes way to short to worry about the boknaai kids,

    What would be funny however is the sit with the Keo crew when they double up on the nics again and it shows out who is who :lol:

  • 464.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:34 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-460: How many tickets were sold for the final at Boolands?

  • 465.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:34 am

    @Heavens Game-462: :lol:

  • 466.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:35 am

    @trupisero-464: it was sold out :lol:

  • 467.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:36 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-460: What Super trophy…? Sharks are Super Rugby’s version of the Buffalo Bills… Many finals, no wins but a great side… Greatest side in Super Rugby never to have won…

    Beats been Conference Title “holders” any day of the week….

  • 468.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:37 am

    @Heavens Game-459: You don’t see through the ‘multi-nics’ as accurately as what you would claim to.
    In fact you have been woefully inaccurate in 95% of your ‘revelations’. I know this how?

    One day you will find out.

    Until then, keep on keeping on……..

  • 469.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:39 am

    @Heavens Game-467: Yes but we need to right that wrong, it’s not a nice title to have,

  • 470.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:40 am

    @sharks_lover-463: Not worried… Just want to cause a fight in the Vatican… organise a pissup in a brewery…. eat pork in a Mosque…. :lol:

  • 471.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:40 am

    @Heavens Game-470: :lol:

  • 472.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:41 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-468: Ag, shutup wench… Either prove it or lose it.

  • 473.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:42 am

    @sharks_lover-469: 2013 is the year of the Shark… I shityounot.

  • 474.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:44 am

    @trupisero-464: How many tickets were sold for the Sharks home games this season, in total? Take that amount, multiply it by 500 and you will have an answer.

    Now it’s my turn to ask a question: How many ‘Sharks-Super Rugby Champions’ t-shirts have you fellows had printed over the years, and how many were sold? I’m guessing about 20 000 were stitched up and printed for every final you have played in? So that gives me:80 000 t-shirts in total? Is that about correct?

  • 475.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:47 am

    @Heavens Game-473: I hope so mate, we do need to strengthen one or 2 positions though, like we need another strong backup prop ( Cilliers has mentioned on twitter he missed Durbs big time) so dont rule that one out, wish we can also get Ruan back, although you Reinach is proving to be a very good up and comming scrummy

  • 476.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:48 am

    @Heavens Game-472: Prove it or lose it?
    A challenge……This wench enjoys challenges, but only when the opponent is worthy. Think of me as SBW; you are the handicapped and morbidly obese gospel singer living off disability grants who was KfuckingO’d in 35 seconds.

    See it my way, and let’s save time.

  • 477.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:48 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-474: Who says Trupisero is a Sharks supporter?? :lol:

  • 478.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:50 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-474: “Take that amount, multiply it by 500 and you will have an answer.”… Wrong.

    Why? Because the Shark stadium always as full as newlands even though the seats can be empty…

    Why? Because Kings Park bigger for one. Also if you have actually been to KP you will know that there are pubs all over the stadium and as hard as it may be in other stadiums to get a beer – at KP it is hard not to get one…

    So those sometimes empty seats are because the Left and Right wing, Tighthead and Loosehead plus Duikers Pubs are full… Helluva Craic you poor gaptooth CapeSader terrorised have never experienced in your Poppers obsessed fairy lives….ever

  • 479.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:52 am

    @sharks_lover-477: Shark or Bull – much of a muchness.

  • 480.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:53 am

    @Heavens Game-478: Newlands has bgotten worse and worse to watch a game of rugby,

  • 481.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:55 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-476: That aint proof… Now Gwaan! ntombi… voessek msunu…

  • 482.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:55 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-474: That’s still less than the number of AB and Saders jerseys sold in CT this year alone.

  • 483.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:56 am

    @Heavens Game-478: What a spiritual passage of writing. Wasted though. All you need to do is pull up the attendance figures for the season, as broken down per stadium, and your ‘ode to Kings Park’ falls flatter than your team when they make a final.

    I still give you 7 points for the passion you exhibited.

  • 484.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 08:58 am

    @sharks_lover-480: Yeah… When half the stadium is empty for the Boks, its a disgrace… Newlands was a disgrace that day. An embarrassment actually.

  • 485.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:00 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-483: Still no proof… Oh Dear… :lol:

    Reach, daahling… reach…. for the stars…

    The come back down to earth… where HG gonna re bore and rip you a new one.

  • 486.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:02 am

    @sharks_lover-480: Why? Did they take away your catering concession?

    @trupisero-482: And whoever is selling those replica truitjies is making a killing and providing employment – bad thing? Not in my opinion.

  • 487.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:03 am

    @sharks_lover-475: Cilliers, Mostert and Pienaar will do just nicely… Then the Sharks will be ready to go… Cape Canaveral Lift off.

  • 488.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:05 am

    @Heavens Game-485: If you say so Alipate Liava’a.

  • 489.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:08 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-486: I wouldnt know, i have no desire to business in that kak place, never have and never will,

  • 490.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:09 am

    Doggy… you emailed the rest of your multinics yet?

    “Please help”… breathless…. “HG bending me, giving me what I deserve”… panting… “and I laaik it soooo much”…

    “He’s so rof”….

  • 491.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:11 am

    @Heavens Game-487: eish with those 3 we will dominate, would be like taking candy from blind kids :lol:

  • 492.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:12 am

    @Heavens Game-490: :lol: ok hold the thoughts , imma go get the popcorn and watch this go down :lol:

  • 493.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:13 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-488: Hehehe…. Come, doggy. Try some less geeky sh.yte for a change.

  • 494.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:17 am

    @sharks_lover-492: Its gonna be the Bay of Pigs shortly… All the emotional little twinks will be hopping, popping up and down ready to get ripped by Big Daddy here…

    Nitrates everywhere. Its Mo.ffie teargas. Straight from Newlands.

  • 495.goodstuff: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:17 am

    Where is the new articles for a new day? Jeez, sport24 has lots of stuff going on, but this site seems asleep.

  • 496.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:19 am

    Doggy…. DOGGY…

    Where you Luv?

  • 497.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:20 am

    @Heavens Game-496: :lol:

  • 498.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:21 am

    @goodstuff-495: Yeah things going at snails pace here

  • 499.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:23 am

    @Heavens Game-490: And you revert to type….compulsive sexual behaviour. Chitty chitty bang bang. (Sexist commentary has little effect on me, in case you haven’t noticed. I will not be pulling any ‘oh the big bad man was being sexist’ **** round here, so you should try to find a more effective way of ‘hitting me where it hurts’ :) )

    @sharks_lover-491: You already dominate the ‘appeared in most and never won’ finals stats. You really are the Bert le Clos of Sharks rugby, with one difference: the object of Bert’s obsession actually has a winners medal.

  • 500.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:23 am

    @sharks_lover-497: Dont laugh too much cuzzie… Transie gets pissedoff :lol:

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