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In an age where corporate money is quickly consuming more and more of the product that is sport and recreation to the local fans of our sporting codes, I sometimes stop and wonder where the suits, media and corporate sponsorship dollars are taking the game I love; rugby.
Is it to better our game, by expanding it in a responsible and justified sense? Or is it simply an excuse for SANZAR to drive up revenue without a second thought of what the fans would like to see happen in our game?
We are the people who drive-up membership bases, pay a monthly television allowance to watch our team play and attend match days to give back to our own individual unions and teams. I have since early June heard that SANZAR and Australia in particular are very interested in seeing a team from Asia, namely Singapore or Japan come into the competition as the 18th team in the Super Rugby competition.
What I really find hard to understand in all this is really a simple equation, one based on common sense. The expansion of Super Rugby is based on reducing unnecessary travel time and strengthening other areas of rugby outside of the traditional SANZAR nations. My question is, and many of my rugby friends agree, what will bringing in a team based in Asia seriously bring to the competition?
While Argentina has been licensed a side to be placed in one of the African Conferences, why not allow them to have one in each conference. There is no geographical justification for an Asian-based team being placed in one of the African Conferences, where as any side from the above mentioned proposals (Japan or Singapore) would be much closer to Australasia on the basis of travel.
This is one thing that the SARU has increasingly argued against before the new television deal comes into play because of the increased demand for travel and the fatigue it causes on players.
On top of this, Japan already has an established a financially successful rugby competition that if need be, could be adapted in the future for the sake of incorporating other nations such as Fiji, Samoa or Tonga into their own professional tournament if it were given time.
All I can see as a result of this negligence, is a team based in Asia as a ‘glorified’ pacific nations team and a standalone team in Argentina which will essentially comprise, given time, the Pumas that then goes on to play in the Rugby Championship.
By instead including two Argentine teams, one based in Buenos Aires and one in the northwest province of Tucuman. We then have a competition that makes more logistical sense and allows Argentina to develop their rugby product and youth set-up in their own country.
SANZAR needs to look at the big picture and should be attempting to fully develop both their domestic and international rugby products for the greater good of viability, practicality and future of Super Rugby as the best based rugby competition in the world. I feel there is easily enough money to justify including two teams from Argentina and that this will help generate increased revenue into the game for all Unions concerned.
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.