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South Africa should be left out of a new Super Rugby competition. It is not a decision to be taken lightly, but the time has come to sever ties at a provincial level with SARU and abolish SANZAR.
Bill Pulver and the SANZAR chiefs are placing too much pressure on the players and testing the fans’ patience. South African rugby administrators aren’t worthy of taking such great risks.
Firstly, the decision by South Africa to force through a sixth Super Rugby team is the wrong call. It is driven by politics, not what is best for the game at home or abroad.
There is an argument that it is actually the South African sides this year that are struggling to put together competitive performances. Is a sixth team really called for when the Kings were easy beats last year and the Stormers and Cheetahs are now both one win from six?
The often derided Force and Rebels are simply not the uncompetitive basket cases many expected they’d be. The Rebels have beaten the Cheetahs and Brumbies as well as pushing the Highlanders very close in New Zealand.
The Force have been even more impressive defeating the champion Chiefs, Highlanders (away) and the Rebels.
Of course we are only looking at the first part of the season and injuries may well test the depth of the Australian teams in particular. But I would argue that over the years it has been South African provincial sides that have adapted the slowest to the expansion of the competition.
How many years were the Lions and Cheetahs at the foot of the table between 2000 and 2010?
The South Africans would say that travel plays a big part in Super Rugby. And who can really disagree with them?
At the time of writing, not one team in 16 attempts has won this season after crossing the Indian Ocean.
This is yet another reason to encourage South Africa to pursue a competition with European clubs who also share similar time zones.
SARU are already mooting the possibility of a Spanish Super Rugby team which not only shows their disconnect with Australian and Kiwi rugby publics but also where their commercial priorities lie.
The fact is that it is time for Australia and New Zealand to look after themselves and there are obvious, ready to go solutions.
A Pacific Rim Rugby Championship makes far more sense. An immediate Pacific Ten could be established by New Zealand and Australia.
This could be expanded to incorporate Buenos Aires followed by Tokyo, Hong Kong, San Diego and Vancouver. A Pacific Island team should also be incorporated and funded by the entrance fees of the other sides.
The Asian, American and Latin markets are barely tapped (unlike South Africa’s). There will still be TV money, arguably dwarfing current deals within the foreseeable future.
Travel could also be minimised by playing one team at home in odd years and the same team away in even years for example. While that would have to be rethought if there was more than one Asian or American team for example, there would be workable solutions.
Certainly solutions better than travelling to Cape Town and Madrid!
I would also suggest that the competition could be run on a similar basis to sevens with a cup, bowl and plate competition ensuring that each side is exposed to ‘finals rugby’.
Bill Pulver has this week spoken about obligations to rugby outside of Australia. I’ve always been a big believer in looking after the roots of the game in Australia.
But by developing a Pacific Rim competition, we are looking after ourselves and our geographical neighbours.
We are also leaving John Smit to organise exhibition games with Saracens and SARU to pursue Kings v Madrid fixtures.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.