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SANZAR: Keep it simple, stupid

Dan Carter capped a magnificent career with a dominant performance in the World Cup final. But was he the best player of 2015? (AAP Image/Steve Holland)
Roar Guru
21st January, 2015
74

The advent of professionalism in rugby means the unions with the most money can buy the most talented players, and although we here in the southern hemisphere don’t like to admit it, the better players are for the most part now playing in the northern hemisphere.

SANZAR has had a challenge on their hands since the start of the professional era to find a way of combatting the lure of the Euro and Yen and somehow keep their players involved in their own domestic and franchise competitions.

Sadly it is a war that for obvious reasons is being lost, and the worse the problem becomes the more outlandish SANZAR’s search is becoming for that elusive pot of gold.

Super Rugby has always had two key areas of importance: preparing our players for Test rugby, and to generate enough income to keep our players at home.

You may argue that Super Rugby is still preparing our players for Test rugby, but will most likely agree that SANZAR is failing to generate enough revenue to sustain higher salaries for our players.

The reality is that our existing markets are too small – the ARU is fighting other sporting codes for popularity, the New Zealand population is small, and the SARU has failed to make significant inroads into the untapped markets of South Africa.

You could say that SARU only represents 20 per cent of the South African population, the ARU are in a similar boat, and New Zealand is tapped out.

So what are the chances that SARU can infiltrate the untapped market in South Africa? Well, unless they find a way to work with the South African government in bringing rugby to the grass roots, you would think very small.

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Equally the question should be asked what can the ARU do to increase their market share in one of the most competitive sporting markets in the world? Again, going by history and the politics between the state unions, it’s doesn’t look promising.

SANZAR’s decision to go abroad to Argentina and Asia in search of new markets is a long-term plan that may or may not work. The fact is the southern hemisphere nations are separated by vast oceans and regardless of where you end up, time zones and travel will always be an issue.

I am severely disappointed about the fact that SARU and the ARU have seemingly given up on the development of their own local markets and are effectively admitting defeat.

The other reality we must face is that apart from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Japan, there are no other professional rugby leagues in our neck of the woods, and any manufactured league will take decades to develop into competitive opposition, which means the key priority of preparing our players for Test rugby is going out the window.

Though it is possible for the incoming Asian team to be strong due to the fact that talent can be bought from anywhere, and the Argentinian team will primarily be Puma players, how long will it take to grow and develop additional teams to ensure viability of new conferences?

It is a harsh reality that this expansion exercise could take decades to come to fruition or fail miserably in the process, only to bring us back to square one.

In the meantime, SANZAR will still struggle to produce enough revenue to retain their players.

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The question is what other options are available?

Some have suggested that SANZAR disband Super Rugby, that the ARU and New Zealand Rugby Union join forces in a trans-Tasman competition and South Africa join Europe.

I have been discussing the possibility of South Africa joining the European Rugby Club Championship with a host of European rugby supporters and even though it is possible and financially viable for South African franchises to join the European Rugby Champions Cup by adding another pool, the problem is that at the height of the European season (November to January) it is simply too hot to play rugby in South Africa.

It will therefore require the European season to be restructured to accommodate South African franchises during the ERCC, and even though it only requires a nine-week window, it will be difficult to accomplish.

So, scratch that idea.

Whether the ARU and NZRU will be able to sustain a financial model of a trans-Tasman competition is highly doubtful, unless of course they decide to pay their players within the constraints of their means, which risks more players jetting off to Japan or Europe.

There is also the fact that the NZRU will not entertain such a format as they would lose out on competing against the physical South African teams.

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I have previously suggested that South Africa leave the Super Rugby competition and focus on developing their Currie Cup to a Top 14 structure, and I still believe that is the route to go, however SARU does not seem to be interested in it.

No matter our personal views on the SANZAR union, it seems for now at least we are committed to each other while having to compromise portions of our individual needs and priorities. The common goal of SANZAR has changed, they are simply fighting for financial survival and unfortunately Super Rugby will be unrecognisable in the near future.

Whether we choose to support these new formats or not, SANZAR has decided to move into expansion mode, largely ignoring what fans want while attempting to adhere to whatever key focus areas they now have.

The sad reality is the SARU, ARU and NZRU are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t. For any of them to stand alone financially will be a tough ask, SARU might be in a slightly better position due to their viewing numbers and potential broadcasting revenue, but I doubt the ARU or NZRU could be financially viable on their own.

Even as a collective they face challenges no other collective unions face, hence the desperation of their actions.

I would just like to remind them of the old adage, ‘Keep it simple, stupid’.

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