The newspapers are awash with preliminary details of the new Super 15 competition to commence in 2011. A 22 week extravaganza beginning in late February and extending through to early August.
On the surface, the signs are encouraging – 3 conferences of 5 franchises; 18 matches total, 9 home and 9 away; double-header local derbies for franchises within the same country; and a 6 team finals series.
What has yet to be decided upon is the make-up and location of the 15th franchise. I fear this decision process will be extremely nasty, and has the potential to scupper the entire concept from getting off the ground.
The Saffies will push strongly for the Southern Kings to be located in the Aussie conference. Not only does the SARU wish for an unfettered career pathway for non-whites, but it wishes to avoid the conflict of having to choose between the Kings and Cheetahs as the 5th South African franchise.
If this in itself doesn’t provide a headache for the ARU, it is confronted with choosing between 3 excellent locations for its own 5th Aussie franchise – Melbourne, Gold Coast or Western Sydney.
As an ardent supporter of a national comp, it is heart-breaking the ARU must make this decision, and cull two excellent options. I would suggest Melbourne ought to get the nod, but the push from the Gold Coast is gathering ominous momentum.
In another time and place Melbourne (Victoria), Gold Coast and Western Sydney could have joined Sydney (NSW), Brisbane (Qld), Canberra (ACT) and Perth (WA) in a national comp.
Thus the ARU’s neglect over 100 years of failing to develop a national domestic comp has come home to roost, and will haunt the ARU.
There are also other problems afoot. Will Aussie rugby fans willingly accept a non-Aussie franchise in their conference? Will Aussie rugby fans accept a franchise made up predominately of non-Aussie players?
I would suggest the Super 15, to commence in 2011, is far from a done deal. Not least with Aussie rugby fans with the potential to be entirely disenfranchised with the whole selection process.
Nick (KIA)
Guest
I'd like to defend Tew. The S14 deal is undoubtably best for Aus in it's immediate effects. This should improve strength and marketability of rugby in Australia. I think Tew has recognised that when Aus is strong, both financially and in playing stocks, interest in rugby in NZ, and therefore $$ from sponsors and broadcasters, is greatest. Think late 90's/early 00's, and mid 80s. So in enabling Aus to become stronger, he's helping NZ rugby.
Maxxy
Guest
Not sure how its going to work with the ARU retaining ownership. you would wonder how the QRU or NSWRU would manage a second team when they are still trying to get the best out of the teams they already have. If it sits as an independantly run team like and island in the two states then how do the obligations of development sit for example - it will no doubt threaten sponsorships with the existing teams etc - New ground in Victoria would eliminate these conflicts which could become complicated
allblackfan
Guest
The Gold Coast and western Sydney should not be considered. If Qld and NSW had been willing to move some of its games away from Suncorp and SFS, their needs would be addressed. All of the Aust teams are captives to one-stadium deals. Robbie Deans has noted this and wants the provinces to play outside their established stadia. If NZ can do it, why not Aust? I'm also amazed that O'Neill is willing to consider a large influx of Islander (and Kiwi) players; what's the bet he would like to recruit only those players eligible to play for the Wallabies?!? I think O'Neill views this teaam as a vehicle to capture some quality players outside the ARU radar, especially if they've been brought up in the NZ system (think Kepu, Fairbrother). As a Kiwi fan, I suspect that NZRU boss Steve Tew has some hard questions to answer to being so compliant to O'Neill.