Well-respected former Samoa and Pacific Islands coach John Boe has a simple solution for Super 14 bosses deciding upon a new team for an expanded competition in 2011.
Give the licence each year to the victorious Islander team from the annual Pacific Tri-Nations series between Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.
Boe, who took Samoa to the brink of upsetting eventual champions England in the 2003 World Cup, said it was time SANZAR stopped ignoring the talent-packed island nations.
He denied a hybrid fifth Australian team boasting a host of Islanders – as spruiked by ARU chief John O’Neill – would work.
“It’s great that John O’Neill has said this but he’s said it before and it’s never ever happened,” said disenchanted former All Black Boe, who is based on the Gold Coast.
“My idea would be the winner of the Tri-Nations – whether it be Samoa, Fiji or Tonga – stand alone to play in the Super 15.
“It would give them something to aim for.”
O’Neill said an island-based team wouldn’t generate sufficient revenue for SANZAR from broadcasters, while the hybrid side could also ensure a new Australian franchise wouldn’t undermine the four existing teams.
But Boe, who also coached the East Coast Aces in the now defunct Australian Rugby Championship, said there wasn’t enough depth in Australian rugby to risk a fifth team.
“Look at what happened to the Queensland Reds when the Western Force came in and took half their players (in 2005), they are still recovering,” Boe said.
“The Force are now struggling themselves, the Brumbies aren’t what they were and the Waratahs are the only strong team.
“Australia needs to consolidate, they don’t need players going in and out of teams.”
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Roar Guru
It won't happen, i mean logistics where would they play and the fact that punters like a team that is in the comp year in year out. The team would need financial stabiltiy, moving them around or changing the team every year won't give them a solid foundation. I have no doubt that Fiji could pull a decent crowd, assuming it was played in Fiji. Best solution for the Islanders is a fifth Australian team and an exemption for so many Islanders per team in the S15. There should also be a clause stating that those players can't be picked for Australia, SA or NZ, they must be available for their own country. Best solution to the islanders woes is an annual comp made up of Aust, SA, NZ, Arg, Jap, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa. But not a comp made up of 2nd/3rd tier players. This won't happen because SANZAR will look at the books and simply go for whomever could bring the biggest gate short term. They are simply not interested in traveling to Fiji, Tonga or Samoa, citing lack of revenue. At the end of the day we must remember the wallabies, boks and all blacks don't play rugby these days for the sake of playing rugby, everything is driven by the dollar and milking every last cent they can from you.... Look no further than the cost of a ticket to see the wallabies, waratahs or $150 for a supporters jumper made in China for say $5 or so ?