Even more silverware on table for Super 15

 
itsuckstobeyou Roar Pro

By itsuckstobeyou, 5 May 2010 itsuckstobeyou is a Roar Pro

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There are two problems with silverware in modern rugby: there is too much of it, and there is going to be more of it. Since more trophies are inevitable within the new Super 15 structure, we might as well make sure they are relevant to the teams contesting them.

One of my gripes over the years has been that almost every title the Wallabies contest is named after someone, something, or some place from the opposing nation. To demonstrate what I mean, here is a brief rundown of the trophies they contest:

Bledisloe Cup: Named after the bloke who paid for it to be made, then Governor General of NZ, Lord Bledisloe. It sounds ridiculous to name a trophy after the guy who paid the trophy-maker, until you consider the Telstra Premiership and the Winfield Cup. Irrelevant to Aussies though.

Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate: Named after the great, albeit South African, Nelson Mandella.

Trophée des Bicentenaires: Translating to Bicentenaries Trophy, the trophy was conceived to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary in 1988 and France’s in 1989. The appeal of the trophy had worn off by 1990.

Landsdowne Cup: A tribute to the famous Irish field. How an Australian can be inspired by this is beyond me.

Hopetoun Cup: Gets its name from the Seventh Earl of Hopetoun, Scotsman John Hope who was the first Governor General of Australia. For the record, he was publicly humiliated for choosing the wrong Prime Minister and quit unceremoniously after the Crown wouldn’t fund his holiday house in Sydney. He came to Australia with Typhoid Fever, a condition contracted by ingesting infected faecal matter. Inspired yet?

James Bevan Trophy: It turns out that the first Welsh rugby captain lived in Australia until he was 10. Apparently, that’s enough to have him immortalised in Australian folklore.

Puma Trophy: One wonders how much the marketing company was paid to come up with this gem of a title, contested between the Wallabies and, you guessed it, the Pumas.

I’m partial to the Cook Cup, as James Cook is a renowned figure in both countries and he inspires a sense of history and rivalry.

The only trophy which has Australian roots is the Tom Richards Trophy, contested every twelve years between Australia and the Lions. Richards featured in the first Wallaby tour of Britain, was an Olympic gold medallist, and filled in for the injury riddled Lions on their tour of South Africa in 1910.

Bearing in mind these ordinary titles and the impending flurry of new titles which will inevitably be created for next year, it’s time the marketing department at the ARU start earning their crust and come up with titles which inspire players and fans alike.

The National Title should be named the ARC Memorial Trophy, although Brett Mckay’s suggestion of the Scotty Fava Cup would fit nicely into the current title mould, as he has played for all the existing Super sides.

The Waratahs can play the Brumbies for the Dingo Deans Perpetual Shield, as it is essentially the trial game for the Wallabies and the only game he shows up to.

The Reds can play the Force for the Queensland Cup, pitting Queensland’s 30 best players against each other.

Perhaps the Rebels can play a one-off hybrid match against the Storm for the Brian Waldron Trophy, with the match being played entirely under a table.

Any suggestions? The best title will receive the John O’Neill Trophy for Excellence in Trophies.

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