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

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-499: Hey atleast we make the Finals, we dont lose 3 semi finals at HOME :wink:

  • 502.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:25 am

    @Heavens Game-500: :lol: for sure he will run to sharksworld next to go pout :lol:

  • 503.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:30 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-499: Sexist, sexual or both? Far too clever for humble ol’ HG here… There I was thinking I was just being homophobic…. Oh well…

    Nevertheless it was luvverly seeing Newlands so “packed” for the Currie Cup game against the Sharks….

    It seems the Sharks are about as popular in CT as a straight guy in Firemans…

  • 504.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:30 am

    @Heavens Game-496: Right here cupcake. Unlike furniture salesmen (such as yourself) and hamburger flippers like Sharks_sodomiser, I do have to attend to some rather important matters every so often. (But I promise I will always return, and give you the attention you crave – as I am a caring soul, sensitive to the needs of the disenfranchised and weak.)

  • 505.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:30 am

    @sharks_lover-501:
    Don’t you just love the old adage ” a miss is as good as a mile”

  • 506.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:32 am

    @sharks_lover-502: Maybe he can come pout with Doggy here… She is sulking bad at the moment… in between breathless :wink:

  • 507.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:33 am

    @sharks_lover-501: Semi finals at home is money in the coffers. Win or lose. Business 101. Something a hamburger flipper like you might struggle to understand.
    When did the Sharks last host a semi-final in Super rugby?
    2007? (serious question…)

  • 508.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:34 am

    @Humphrey-421: you discovered? hehehehe well done :D

  • 509.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:35 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-504: “Furniture salesman”…. lol… Professional Fly fisherman… get it right msunu, kay?

    Yeah, yeah… go farkoff and change the tampon then… But come back when you finished, yeah?

  • 510.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:36 am

    @Jeraldjay-505: The Sharks have been best losers FOUR times :)
    And on a sidenote: it’s helluva funny that Sharks_sodomiser was whinging about the Poms receiving medals for losing the series against the Proteas. He was horrified that a ‘man of the series’ was chosen from the Pom team as well…..

    Yet here he is, promoting the best losers cause with all the passion he can muster.

  • 511.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:37 am

    Looky here… Doggy’s cavalry arrives…. Multinic gangbang coming up :lol:

  • 512.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:37 am

    @Heavens Game-500: ahhh HG is see you miss me :D

  • 513.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:37 am

    @Transformation-508:
    How was Cape Town and when you making the permanent move?

  • 514.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:39 am

    @Heavens Game-511: :lol:

  • 515.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:40 am

    @Jeraldjay-505: Yup… But the Sharks miss was still a mile closer than the Stormers miss…

    I would take beaten finalist any day over Conference “title” holder…. especially after said “holder” is fuckedup silly by the beaten finalist

  • 516.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:41 am

    @Transformation-512: Hand’s free? Or still with “Techno” in one hand, wire in other… and Cheeky up the dutpipe….?

  • 517.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:42 am

    @Heavens Game-509: You think you have caught me? Your fly fishing on here is about as successful as my one attempt at fly fishing in the real world.
    Fun to watch (for those observing me), but absolutely meaningless in the grander scheme of things.
    PS: Why the concern for tampon changing? Tampon/Vampire fetish?

  • 518.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:42 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-510:
    Pedigree, I’ll give credit when it is due, Chad Le Clos and Hashim are Sharkies, so kudo’s to that neck of the woods, but KP that “other” Sharkie just pissed on the whole parade.

  • 519.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:44 am

    @Jeraldjay-513: Kaapstad is always great, i always have a great time when i’m there, what with amazing friends like G10 & JR making the whole Newlands experience a jol.

  • 520.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:44 am

    @Jeraldjay-505: prefer a miss as good as a missus ;)

  • 521.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:44 am

    @Jeraldjay-513: Can we not orchestrate a swop here? Sharks_lover for Transformation?
    It shouldn’t take us too long to pack up Sharky’s burger flipper, apron and 15L of cookling oil?

    I would contribute to such a cause.

  • 522.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:44 am

    @Heavens Game-515: Nope they never had a chance to miss, their rifle jammed before they could take aim at a final :lol:

  • 523.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:45 am

    @Heavens Game-515:
    Money in the coffers for the semi-final, HG.

    At the end of the day thats all that matters.

  • 524.goodstuff: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:47 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-510: @sharks_lover-514: @Heavens Game-511:

    You guys are funny.

    See this article and results below.
    http://inside-politics.org/2012/06/29/why-stormers-rugby-supporters-are-statistically-the-best/

    2012 average:
    Stormers 42 729 (82% of capacity) Up from 2011
    Bulls 35 658 (69% of capacity) Up from 2011
    Lions 24 318 (39% of capacity) Up from 2011
    Sharks 23 431 (43% of capacity) which is a lower attendance average than the LIONS!!!!! Down from 2011
    Cheetahs 19 033 (47% of capacity) Up from 2011

    All based on round robin home games attendance.

  • 525.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:47 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-517: Yes… Doggy… Now watch me reel it in…

    No concern… when you hormonal… cyclic… out of absolutely no choice of your own…. its facts of life. Thats all.

    Vampire fetish…. eish, very geeky that one.

  • 526.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:47 am

    @Heavens Game-515: Pity there isn’t a trophy for all the Sharks ‘missed’ achievements. I’m thinking a gold plated bottle of ‘Borstol’?

  • 527.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:47 am

    @Heavens Game-515: Hell according to most of them on here winning the Cup was not only a given, but they were entitled to the cup :lol:

  • 528.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:47 am

    @Heavens Game-516: :razz:

  • 529.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:48 am

    @sharks_lover-522: You mean they shot blanks… :lol:

  • 530.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:50 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-526: Pity there isn’t one for the Stormers… aah, but I’m wrong…. There is one – its a big bottle of Poppers…. otherwise known as the “Conference Title”.

  • 531.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:50 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-521: you should stop watching so many cartoons,

  • 532.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:51 am

    @Jeraldjay-523: Is that so…? So the WP/Stormers balance sheet must be looking so much more healthy than the Sharks then?

    Lol

  • 533.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:51 am

    @Heavens Game-529: :wink:

  • 534.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:52 am

    @Heavens Game-532: :lol: they hardly have cash to buy a local club player left

    Finances not looking to good in WP

  • 535.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:53 am

    @Heavens Game-532: Carel Dup knew this and didnt want his son not recieveing his salary, so he sent him to Durban :lol:

  • 536.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:53 am

    @goodstuff-524: So the magnificent ‘Tank’ was 43% full……all season.
    That kind of blows HG’s passionate theory right out of the stratosphere. The Sharks have such loyal and supportive fans.
    The Sharks better hope they never end last in the SA conference and have to play in a promo/relegation game against those Lions…..(who were better supported than the Shakrs this season)

  • 537.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:54 am

    @goodstuff-524: Lies damn lies and bullshit statistics…

    There weren’t 42 729 Stormermofs at the Bok test…. There also weren’t 42 729 Stormermofs at the Sharks Currie Cup game….

    You can’t hid what mine own eyes tell me… That your stats are bulldust of the utmost highest order.

  • 538.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:54 am

    HG here with SL hanging off his leg

    Epitome of boredom

  • 539.gunther: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:56 am

    @Transformation-519:

    Off to Mavericks after the game?

    Or perhaps not ;)

  • 540.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:56 am

    @Heavens Game-532: :wink: and they think all those flocking to Boolands are there to support the Stormers??? :lol:

  • 541.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:57 am

    @trupisero-520:
    Horses for courses.

  • 542.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:58 am

    @Dawn-538: sober this morning???

  • 543.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:58 am

    @sharks_lover-535: Its funny that… The Prince of Wings sending his son to Dynamite land… He must see things other WePee moffies can’t….

    A bit embarrassing that one – Province and Bok Legend sends his son to the Johnny come Latelies for Rugger Lessons….

  • 544.goodstuff: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:59 am

    @Heavens Game-537: First stage of loss is denial.

    These are super rugby stats…penny drops.

  • 545.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 09:59 am

    @Dawn-538: Shut up wench… And stop whistling… okay?

  • 546.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 10:00 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-536: Boolands only fuller because of the Sader fans

  • 547.Jeraldjay: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 10:02 am

    @gunther-539:
    I see if we win today we go top in all three formats.

  • 548.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 10:02 am

    @Heavens Game-532: @sharks_lover-534: Eish. Middle aged tag team ****** in progress…
    I apologise for revving you fellows up. I should have realised that any online ‘jousting’ would result in an almost hysterical sexual reaction, disguised as ‘provincial insults’.

  • 549.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 10:03 am

    @goodstuff-544: Yes… Losing a semifinal is not the end of the world… But it is: a loss despite an until then “100% record”… Talk about denial leading up to and after that match… I foresaw it weeks back… Thats what made the POP so satisfying.

    And then another loss in the CC, so soon after…

    How’s this for a Stat in 2012:

    3-1… and counting :lol:

  • 550.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    24 Aug 2012, 10:03 am

    @goodstuff-544: ok here is a noddy badge you had more supporters, you teak still could beat a Sharks team at your home ground 2 weeks in a row, a depeleted tired sharks team that had travelled a few times back and fourth to kiwi aussie etc.

    SR final Sharks vs Chiefs

    Stormers got P@esklapped

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