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Well known fantasy novelist Sir Terence David John Pratchett once said “They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it’s not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.”
If there is one aspect of SANZAR I can do without, it would be the misinformation, half-truths and general secrecy of what they do.
Press releases from SANZAR are akin to ‘teasing’ the rugby public with just enough information to set us all into a frenzy.
An interview with either Bill Pulver, Steve Tew or Jurie Roux reminds me of these awful Soapies our wives watch with regular monotony. They are characterised by back stabbing, people falling in and out of love inside of one week and the famous stare into the camera prior to the episode ending may not be sport, but I am confident these Soapie-lovers feel the same frustration and addiction to their chosen pastime as us.
The only difference is sport is real, and therefore stirs emotions and parochial rivalries that can turn out to be rather unpleasant at times.
The biggest challenge we face with these debates, in regards to the future of Super Rugby, is not enough information – a lack of understanding of what goes on behind those boardroom doors and the fact that decisions made behind said doors seem to be made half-arsed and without consulting the actual people funding Rugby by way of tickets, subscriptions to Pay TV and the merchandise we buy on a regular basis.
Now it may be understandable that each franchise head would want his supporters to think the bad ideas come from another, and that their management is looking after the interest of their players and fans.
But, as Pratchett suggests, half the information is not sufficient to make conclusions, in fact it makes us jump the gun and leads us to make judgments based on half-truths, ignoring the “other side of the coin” as we sit in our armchairs.
Criticism towards SARU has been a regular feature on The Roar since the desire for a sixth Franchise emerged, and granted most South African fans believe a sixth Franchise is a step too far.
Others have suggested that it was the insistence of SARU that the Conference model has been embraced by SANZAR, whilst others have suggested the ARU demanded more local derbies to increase the number of local matches making up for a lack of domestic rugby in Australia.
It has also been suggested that SARU demanded a guaranteed play-off match at the end of regular season.
South African supporters have been disillusioned with SARU due to the income split and the general poor manner in which they deem SARU have handled negotiations during the past 18 years.
There are likely many more accusations, some based on fact, and others based on pure conjecture that can be mentioned, but amidst all the flying accusations and disapproval of the proposed format one aspect has been completely ignored.
We are all in the same boat. Be it whether the ARU is staring financial ruin in the face, SARU being pressured by politics, the NZRU simply being swept along in the maelstrom of the other two Unions.
The reality is we are losing players by the hundred every year, France and Japan being the two most active participants in recruiting our talent, and the rest of Europe snatching up the others.
Whether by design or by accident, the press releases from SANZAR has created a divide amongst SANZAR fans. Where we should stand together and be the voice that tells SANZAR what we as fans want, we have fallen apart and now throw stones at each other.
The only real fact we have is that SARU wants a sixth team, whether they can justify it in terms of providing a quality team is moot.
Unless we can get our collective hands on the transcripts of previous negotiations and confirm the accusations most of what we debate is merely hearsay.
One thing is certain, very few of the South African fans, Australian fans or New Zealand fans are enamoured with the direction SANZAR is moving towards.
What was once our competition, which we followed with pride and interest, will soon become a global catastrophe with conferences comprised of fractured sides and the true value of the competition that we held on to for so long will dissipate.
Whether Super Rugby as we know it will still be around in the next ten to twenty years or has morphed is unknown. We do, however, need to find something to hold onto in this mess. For myself it will be the very few inter-conference matches that will remain once the I’s have been dotted and the T’s have been crossed.
In the meantime let us not forget that we all want the best for our respective sides, but a little better understanding of the “other side of the coin” might be prudent.
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.