SANZAR should further help smaller nations
Roar Guru
By rugbyfuture, 13 Mar 2010 rugbyfuture is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Rugby Union, SANZAR, Super Rugby
A focus of rugby is its international appeal and development. It is only justified then that established rugby nations should help out those who are developing.
Super 14 teams (especially in Australia) could both benefit and help other nations (say the USA and Canada) by allowing special tier two nation marquee signings.
Here’s how it works: each team is allowed two second tier national team possibilities, on the provision that these two players do not become eligible for the SANZAR nations but rather the developing nations. The SANZAR unions ask for development funds to help in this case, which they can then top up the contracts for these signings and help with internal development.
However, these players must also be restricted to four years within the established unions, with provisions that these players have a greater responsibility to the IRB and their home union rather than the professional team (this would mean further IRB compensation possibly).
This would mean two things: a responsibility to help in the development of their home nations, and development streams equal to the top rugby nations.
Handled properly, this proposal could do more good than harm (that is taking players outside of their home unions). Increased development for second tier unions (and even third tier) would be a result of this system, and greater player depth for teams would be another.
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johno said | March 13th 2010 @ 1:56am | Report comment
How about just doing what the Saffas have been doing for Argentina, or Aussie refs, or Kenya’s sevens side…Oh sorry I forgot this would have to include NZ and AUS who have plundered as much of the Pacific Islands’ resources as they could for as long as they could, so this great idea won’t work yet again.
But it’s a great idea
rugbyfuture said | March 13th 2010 @ 2:18am | Report comment
yeh, south africa dont do it with namibians or zimbabweans……oh wait
johno said | March 13th 2010 @ 2:39am | Report comment
Actually they do with Namibians, but they have plundered the only two woth while players from Zim, but then again would you blame any normal Zimbabwean for chomping at the bit if given a chance of a better life considering that they are being ruled by a psyche ward escapee?
oh wait, nope, I wouldn’t.
rugbyfuture said | March 13th 2010 @ 2:48am | Report comment
you fail to realise that many islanders that play for the wallabies were born here or primarily raised here, much like percy montgomery was actually born in namibia. and that fiji is also now run by a psyche ward escapee. New zealand have done a couple of shifty things, but im pretty sure australia havent. plus im talking beyond PI, because in reality they have reached the limit of such small nations. Im talking Canada, USA, Kenya, brazil and uruguay etc.
johno said | March 13th 2010 @ 3:18am | Report comment
Uhm, ja that’s a good excuse. Heard it before. Don’t beleive it though. How does all the best talent end up in Aus or NZ, must just be coincidence, right?
Seriously though if we wanna go the route of developing the game shouldn’t we take it one assignment at a time? The Argies have now been included in the Tri-Nations. Shouldn’t we be getting them involved at provincial/franchise level as well? If not all there best players are just going to develope into NH exponents of the kick and kick more variety.
katzilla said | March 13th 2010 @ 6:07am | Report comment
Troll Alert
Nick P said | March 13th 2010 @ 8:41am | Report comment
Indeed. I could argue against him but I wont fuel it.
He makes a decent point with the “one step at a time” theory. But we are talking about a fully professional organisation, it isn’t run but amateurs. They should be able to sort out more than one thing at once.
Working Class Rugger said | March 13th 2010 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
Considering SANZAR are looking for a full time CEO and executive such intiatives should be possible. From an Australian and Kiwi point of view Asia would be our objective. Considering the games growth in the region many if not all of the soon to be 10 Super Rugby franchises could really make a push not only to assist in developing the game but building fan bases outside of traditional terriotories. For example, the NSWRU or Tahs Inc could contact the Chinese Rugby Union to organise clinics and such in the off season. Each could choose a region and then go about developing it. Worth a shot.
Norm said | March 13th 2010 @ 10:49pm | Report comment
-”the NSWRU or Tahs Inc could contact the Chinese Rugby Union to organise clinics and such in the off season”…umm..hasn’t the complaint been that they don’t do enough clinics and “such” in…say…NSW?
Working Class Rugger said | March 13th 2010 @ 11:53pm | Report comment
As of next season the Warathas will be a seperate entity from the NSWRU. The sole responsibilty to develop the game after the split will fall directly on the NSWRU including any ‘ clinics and such’. While the NSWRU won’t run the Tahs they will recieve a licencing fee. The NSWRU will use this fee to fund development projects. It would be in the interests of the new Tahs Inc organisation to expand their fanbase in order to not only cover the said fee but overall increase their profit margin. As Rugby has allbeit a small presence in Asia and considering its proximity it would outside of Australia be an ideal target market. One reason I mentioned China relates greatly to opportunism. The Chinese Rugby Union alongside the Ministry of Sport are about to launch a nationwide development program. Perfect platform to take advantage and grow the brand.
sheek said | March 14th 2010 @ 8:06am | Report comment
Rugbyfuture,
I reckon the SANZAR nations should clean up their own backyard first.
Australia is struggling badly at the moment to fill the 5th provincial team – Rebels.
South Africa, one of the traditional heavyweights of the game, can’t fill 5 regional teams either. The Lions are a sad joke.
And over in NZ, the Highlanders are not up to speed of the other 4 Kiwi sides.
So it’s a matter of looking after our own first before worrying about the rest of the world. In any case, that’s the charter of the IRB – to develop the next tier of rugby nations.
Bay35Pablo said | March 14th 2010 @ 9:59am | Report comment
Sheek, what you said.
rugbyfuture said | March 14th 2010 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
yes but if every side signed up the top players for 2nd tier nations that releases 10 spots after next year for overseas signings (albeit for overseas players) but it would fill the teams a bit. the same with the other nations.