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Prior to the SANZAR meeting in Dubai, New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew commented that: “We have got to get the product right. The game has to be good. Then we have to make sure we are presenting it in a way the fans find attractive.”
SANZAR’s latest idea? Give the people more rugby!
It’s the same idea SANZAR always has when it’s time to make the product more attractive for broadcasters and spectators alike. They expand so often, you’d swear there was a demand for rugby.
After a round of horrendous local derbies, it’s clear this is the weakest the Super 14 has ever been. The idea that a 15 team, 22 week, conference based system will draw people back to rugby is preposterous.
SANZAR’s expansion plans are merely an attempt to sell more rugby to broadcasters, with the ARU pushing for a fifth franchise to increase their share of the revenue.
If New Zealand and South Africa can’t field an additional Super franchise with their current player depth, then what chance does Australia have?
None.
The idea is to add another weak team and another weak fixture to a competition that’s weak enough as it is.
And the NZRU plan to weaken it further.
With the increasing number of Test matches played, and All Blacks dropping like flies, they’re about to offer non-playing sabbaticals to top level All Blacks, withdrawing them from the Super 14 completely.
Their replacements are Air NZ Cup players, who no longer have the experience of playing with and against international class players. Instead, they’re expected to step up at Super 14 level.
The NZRU like to blame the European clubs for New Zealand’s eroded player base, and there is some truth to that, but they’re not doing the Super 14 any favours in pursuit of the almighty dollar.
John O’Neill is probably right when he says New Zealand can only afford to have one professional rugby competition in their country, but the NZRU have all their apples in the All Black cart to cover the ridiculous costs of hosting a Rugby World Cup. They merely pay lip service to the Super 14.
Given that the South Africans are forever in two minds about whether they need Australia and New Zealand, it seems to be O’Neill who is behind these expansion talks, for the good of the [Australian] game.
If there’s to be any expansion of the Super 14, the only logical choice is to extend the playoffs. If you give the mid-table teams the incentive of making the playoffs, perhaps you’ll give supporters an incentive to go along to the games.
It may not improve the quality of the rugby, but the ELVs sure as hell haven’t either.
Rule changes can’t mask a basic lack of skills and the handling in this year’s Super 14 has been attrocious.
It may, however, give teams something to play for and their supporters a reason to care.
Joe Public won’t care that there’s a team in Melbourne, but he will care if his team makes the playoffs.
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.