SA to push for bigger Super Rugby
24 Jan 2013
MARK KEOHANE writes South Africa will this year support an expanded Super Rugby competition to accommodate the Kings and Lions. But Pacific Island teams will again miss out.
Any expansion can only happen in 2016 but take it as a given Super Rugby will comprise more teams, but they won’t feature teams from the Pacific Islands because there is no financial gain to be made.
Sanzar CEO Greg Peters told the media Sanzar’s three partners Australia, New Zealand and South Africa would make the decision to expand or not later in 2013.
Argentina, Canada, Japan and the United States are seen as the primary targets. Japan because of the cash cow it promises to be, Argentina as a commitment to the expanded Rugby Championship that featured the Pumas for the first time and Canada and the United States because they are seen as potential cash cows, especially the United States. The word is to have one team from each of those countries.
It is one of the reasons Canada and the United States will play in the Pacific Nations Cup, which again shows how poorly the Island representation of Tonga, Fiji and Samoa are treated within Sanzar.
South Africa has always been seen as the big brother to Samoa in terms of value attributed to playing against Samoa and giving the country’s rugby side as much playing opportunity as possible.
New Zealand and Australia do nothing to promote the virtues of any of the Island teams because financially they offer nothing in terms of broadcasting deals.
‘We are considering whether or not we will include new territories in Super Rugby and one of the factors we’ll be weighing up is their [Canada and United States] competitiveness,’ Peters told The Australian.
‘Super Rugby in its present form is a pretty successful model … and we are not going to water it down. But we’d be derelict in our duty if we didn’t consider expanding into areas. The United States is a very big market and so is Japan and Asia generally. Ultimately it all comes down to what is in the best interests of the three Sanzar parties.’
Peters said player welfare would be a consideration but an expanded competition may allow for the tournament to be split into two pools of 10 teams each, although Australia will definitely not want to lose the conference system and the double-header local derbies. It is proving massive in Australia and the current format gives Australia everything it has wanted in a rugby union tournament that competes with the AFL (Aussie rules) and rugby league’s NRL.
Television audience figures and match attendance were highest in Australian Super Rugby for derby matches and because Australia has no provincial domestic competition Super Rugby doubles as their domestic competition. Just how South Africa and New Zealand agreed to give up so much for Australia to have so much gain is a question that can never be answered by those who did the surrender. If it could they would not have done so.
Ideally South Africa should be playing in a Super Rugby tournament with the best from England and France. Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Japan should have their own Super Rugby tournament. Geographically that makes more sense, but the Celtic nations (Scotland, Ireland and Wales) remain the stumbling block to any South African participation in Europe.
New Zealand knows it can’t do justice to more than five teams, Australia is at its maximum and South Africa’s only need is to ease the political tensions and have all six regions represented. Then it is a matter of which new territories can make the existing Sanzar partners the biggest financial net gain.
Sanzar’s counter argument to the Pacific Islands is that it is the responsibility of the IRB to develop those countries. I don’t buy it, but then Sanzar has never been big on a purchase of morality.
540 Comments
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24 Jan 2013, 14:55 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-294:
At my old school…a brawl could break out over a piece of toast…
24 Jan 2013, 14:55 pm
@stormersboy-298: I thought mutton dressed as lamb was THE culinary fave?
24 Jan 2013, 14:56 pm
@the curse-277:
thanks for the honesty, Pops
so there it is in black and white
you guys screwed with straight faces
i respect your honesty
24 Jan 2013, 14:58 pm
@the curse-287:
its hard to say really, i suppose from a competitive point of view it does not.
but it goes beyond purely being about competitiveness doesn’t it?
if it was then Oz wouldn’t/shouldn’t have got it either.
24 Jan 2013, 14:59 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-288:
sounds just like the Stomers, except for the ‘they beat the Saders’ bit.
24 Jan 2013, 15:00 pm
@Te Rangatira-301:
I hope you were never any part of such distoastful behaviour?
24 Jan 2013, 15:01 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-290:
i dunno hey, BB
getting shafted is getting shafted
no matter how you spin it.
24 Jan 2013, 15:02 pm
@Te Rangatira-301: Of course it would…”Why eat bread when you can have cake”?
24 Jan 2013, 15:02 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-293: you’re no quite bright are ya? the rebels got in before the Kings because the CASH was too sweet for SANZAR to pass up not for rugby reasons…it’s all decisions.
the Kings got in o replace the kakkest ‘existing’ franchise
24 Jan 2013, 15:02 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-305: Nooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. Julle se dan die Stormers speel die kakste rugby in die kompetisie? Verdedig, verdedig, derdedig….
Kan nie hulle met die Stormers vergelyk Bakkies; in terme van die uitlatings wat gereeld hier gemaak word.
24 Jan 2013, 15:02 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-302:
BINGO WINGS!
24 Jan 2013, 15:04 pm
@gunther-311:
Bwhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
24 Jan 2013, 15:05 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-306:
Ranglette is a lover not a fighter
Besides they would have spread him like molten Rama
24 Jan 2013, 15:06 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-294:
@Dawn-297:
dont be silly, Dawn
its because he’s a footy lover as he’s stated many times and we have differed wrt our national football team before.
24 Jan 2013, 15:08 pm
@gunther-313:
hehe….I’ld toast that….cheerio
24 Jan 2013, 15:10 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-299:
Bakkies, if 3 must vote 1 will always lose out.
Let’s say NZ and SA ” collude or gang up” against the Aussies, would you still dislike them as much?
In our absense Aus and NZ built a strong affinity and we must just accept it.
Look around our country and you see a culture of demand, it’s inherent in SA and who’s to say others must bow to that.
Had we ruled the Super Rugby and Tri Nations instead of NZ we may have had more clout, but we didn’t and they did, so in my opinion they should have more say as they are the country bringing home the bacon.
Our attendences may be superior, but TV also rules, and there I would venture to say foreign viewers would prefer to watch the All Blacks than the Boks.
24 Jan 2013, 15:16 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-310:
hahaha
ja miskien nie maar soos die Rebels hou julle van partytjie en het wel nie die Crusaders ooit geklop nie.
ek is uintlik vreeslik besig op die oomblik Pedigree, my baas is op soek na my
ek gesels weer so bietjie later
tjeers
24 Jan 2013, 15:17 pm
@Transformation-309:
293.BrumbiesBoy:
24 Jan 2013, 14:47 pm @Transformation-286: That may well be, we all know how greedy the suits are. But the Rebels didn’t get in at the expense of an existing Aussie team, did they now Einstein?
You obviously have a problem reading English, I’m sorry for that.
Perhaps next time I should try Afrikaans?
24 Jan 2013, 15:18 pm
@nortierd-316:
sorry Nortie, have to do some stuff for my boss.
will respond later when i have time
cheers for now.
24 Jan 2013, 15:21 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-319:
Cheers, thought YOU were the boss.
24 Jan 2013, 15:23 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-314:
If you say so.
24 Jan 2013, 15:24 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-317: Jou baas gaan een van die dae jou leptop wegvat.
24 Jan 2013, 15:26 pm
@nortierd-320:
i’d never be this lazy if were the boss
cheers
24 Jan 2013, 15:27 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-318: ” That may well be, we
all know how greedy the suits are.”
you easily brush away how the Kings well structured proposal was jettisoned for cash but b*tch about the relegation of a kak, mismanaged franchise
move to Aus already so our national IQ can rise
24 Jan 2013, 15:27 pm
@Dawn-321:
cross my heart
cheers for now
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-322:
hahaha
cheers
24 Jan 2013, 15:29 pm
@nortierd-320:
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-322:
I’m also out for now…got to go check up on one of my employees who I suspect is abusing computer equipment…
Back tonight.
24 Jan 2013, 15:34 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-326:
Cheers BB
Enjoy
24 Jan 2013, 15:34 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-326:
Firethefucker. (Bakkies you’re out of a job mate)
24 Jan 2013, 15:43 pm
I don’t think Bakkies ever works
24 Jan 2013, 15:48 pm
Lemme go to News24 cos vokkol is happening here
24 Jan 2013, 15:51 pm
“KZN municipality has highest murder rate
2013-01-24 14:34
A KwaZulu-Natal local municipality has the highest murder rate in the country, at 192 per 100 000 people, the SA Institute of Race Relations says.”
This won’t please Rangerman
24 Jan 2013, 15:53 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-328:
fark no
SETI (Search for Evidence of Transtasman Infidels) would never EVER fire their figurehead
24 Jan 2013, 15:58 pm
Who knew?
Bakkies works for Bruce Springsteen.
Only Boss I know of.
The ultimate Blue supporter works for the ultimate Blue Collar worker’s hero.
Figures
24 Jan 2013, 16:02 pm
@Transformation-280:
Bakkies wasn’t including black South Africans when mentioning cultural similarities with Europeans.
24 Jan 2013, 16:02 pm
@Te Rangatira-301: hehehe good old Tipene, them was the days
24 Jan 2013, 16:03 pm
Super rugby losing its appeal with room being made for weaker teams all the time, and with all the injuries it causes from the overplay to the players. I like the idea of a top side tier maybe 10 teams which have earned their place in ‘Superugby’ with a second tier made up of the lesser SANZAR sides, and some newbies like North American, Asian, Argentine and Pacific Teams. This is how you expand and develop the game and this competition without diminishing its original intent. Then with a promotion and relegation type format you give everyone a fair go in gaining promotion, as well as getting rid of the poor performers. Perhaps with 3 or 4 teams going up and down each season. I don’t know how it’ll work exactly, I’m just over watching so called super rugby and seeing the garbage that is often displayed. In all honesty, I preferred the quality of the domestic NZ and SA comps this year in terms of quality and flair.
24 Jan 2013, 16:12 pm
@NZINCHINA-334: i know, he will never admit to it though.
subtle as a rusted wheelbarrow our bakkies..
24 Jan 2013, 16:16 pm
@Transformation-337:
Some things will never change.
24 Jan 2013, 16:24 pm
@Boertjie-336:
pauca sed bona
24 Jan 2013, 16:24 pm
Spies determined to win Bok place back
——————————————————————————–
by Brenden Nel 24 January 2013, 12:20
Vodacom Bulls captain Pierre Spies is always up for a challenge, and has set his sights on regaining his Springbok starting place now that he is fit and ready for action again.
There is no doubt that 2012 was not the year that Spies hoped it would be. Thrust with the responsibility of leading the Bulls into battle in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament, he managed to steer them into the playoffs, but most would argue his form suffered as a result.
A few lacklustre tests and a broken thumb later, and the rest of the year was spent recovering from an operation, and time to reflect and realise just what he was missing while being injured.
Anyone who knows the bold Bulls No 8 will know it’s not the type of thing that he will simply accept.
Now, just weeks ahead of the start of the 2013 season, Spies looks fitter, stronger and more determined than ever.
He will assume the leadership mantle again, knowing that this year the Bulls have few excuses left to use.
If 2012 was the question-mark over their abilities after losing so many Boks, 2013 will have to be the year where they move forward or stagnate; where they accept the changes in the game, or where they will continue to slog forward and hope their execution trumps the playing style of their opposition.
“It’s true,” Spies told supersport.com when faced with this scenario, “everyone is a year older now and we have a lot more experience. We know each other better and we’re in a good space at the moment as a team.
“Last year was a difficult year for everyone, but we’ve had a good break and have returned more mature. We’re really looking forward to the battles that await us.”
Spies knows his personal form is under scrutiny, and knows he has to up his game if he wants to convince coach Heyneke Meyer he deserves a starting spot with the Boks once again.
“I learnt a lot last year as captain. There is a lot of support in the team to make my job easier and it will be that way this year as well,” Spies adds.
“But competition is always good. My injury came at the right time and it gave me a lot more perspective, as well as a decent rest. It allowed me to recharge, to find a renewed focus and vision for the year ahead.
“It reminded me how much I want to play for the Springboks again. You always have to prove yourself, whether it is to the public, the coach or to yourself. I know I owe myself a good season and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
Spies is excited at some of the talent at the Bulls, especially the likes of Arno Botha, Jan Serfontein and Handre Pollard, all who are expected to fulfill their potential in Pretoria.
“You have to have a good squad in this competition, and we have a lot of depth this year which we will use.”
One thing that Spies smiles about, and is rather coy about, is whether the Bulls will play a different game plan or keep with their current aerial assault.
“I think it will be a new year with new energy,” Spies smiles, “It will be a lot of the same, with a few changes here and there.”
If that isn’t clear enough, then what
24 Jan 2013, 16:29 pm
@grant10-340:
Im interested to see how he goes actually.
If he can regain any of his 2007-2009 form, he’ll be alright.
If he plays anything like he has in the last 2 seasons, he’ll battle to get anywhere near a Bok jersey.
24 Jan 2013, 16:32 pm
@John Galt-341:
He needs to lose some muscle and work on getting his body position right, some of those Bulls boys are far too upright in the contact area.
24 Jan 2013, 16:33 pm
@grant10-340: in 2009 britney told he told us he was the best 8 in the world & 3 years later he is not even in the top 5
24 Jan 2013, 16:34 pm
@John Galt-341: Boks biggest nightmares in 2010 and 2011 were Spies, M Steyn and Plod…..absolutely no doubt….we just did not win when these 3 were in the starting 15…
I think Boks will be very good this year….because they ont be there and HM will be over the yips….
24 Jan 2013, 16:35 pm
@NZINCHINA-342:
Agreed.
Far too easy to stop and bully in the tackle.
24 Jan 2013, 16:36 pm
@Transformation-343: No s_hit?
Is he even in the top in SA?
24 Jan 2013, 16:38 pm
@Angostura-346:
Is he even in the top in SA?,
should read:
“Is he even in the top 5 in SA?”
24 Jan 2013, 16:47 pm
What’s all this about a Samoan super team? Have the Samoans even said they want it or how it would work? I love the idea but commercial reality suggests it won’t happen. Most of the national squad are from NZ but there isn’t the population base to have a 6th team. If it was based in South Auckland, they’d be fighting with the Warriors for a stadium and fans. It’s already hard enough to get anyone in Auckland to turn up to watch rugby. If Joburg can’t support one team, how can Auckland support two plus an NRL team?
If it was based in Apia, I doubt it would survive. A population less than 200,000, so they’d struggle to get bums on seats. Maybe an ok TV audience if kiwis and aussies watched but not enough to satisfy the guys on here who moan about NZ dragging down the average ratings. What about sponsorship? Even the Fiji national team couldn’t get a sponsor for the November tests.
No, Samoa is better served by the pacific nations cup, which NZ helped to set up and played in for the first four years. Getting thrashed by the ABs isn’t much help, they’re better off playing Scotland and Wales.
24 Jan 2013, 16:50 pm
@grant10-340:
> Spies looks fitter, stronger
Die naald het gepraat en die weights het gek@k
Hy’s nou op na ‘n D-cup van ‘n C-cup
24 Jan 2013, 16:51 pm
@gonzo-348:
Totally agree this expansion for the sake of expansion is clueless, we need less teams and less rugby. Rugby should start in April after the cricket finishes like it used to.
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