Country Cockatoos a Galah for Super start

He, he, he. How about getting all the unloved NZ Cup sides to play in an ARC? Before the NZ Cup? While the S15 is on? Just joking. It wouldn't work for a number of reasons, but the mischievous thought filled me with enough glee I had to share.

Yes I'm pretty sure they are. They are both frustrated with the lack of attention from the Hurricanes. They have for a long while been wanting to have Super Rugby games only to be ignored.

WCR arent those two provincial unions covered by the Hurricanes? Jeez there must be trouble in Canes turf if their provincial unions want out.

Just read the 2 NZ bids are from Taranaki and Hawkes Bay.

According to the Sportal site there has been two expressions of interest from New Zealand organisations. And with the prospect the Southern Kings putting their own bid in that means as many as 10 entrants for 1 opening. If SANZAR do expand to a S18 in 2013 then maybe they should add not only the Kings, but a 6th Australian and NZ teams. As for Japan, Asia, Oceania and the failed Aus and NZ bids. I've already mentioned my idea for a development league.

Justin, you are obviously a player from the 70's and 80's by the festival remark. I think if you had taken time to look at the ARS when it was operating in the last few years or knew anything about 1st grade in Sydney it would be fair to say the top 2 sides were generally of mid table first grade standard especially the Cockatoo's, Heelers and Gold. What a shame there is still people involved in rugby that have obviously only a "club" perspectitive on our great game and not a development and betterment of the game passion for it. That would account for negative tones on the various bids. You seem very focussed on the VRU bid obviously you have some adherence there. Let me tell you that this process is for the whole of Australian rugby not your own little parcel of success in Victoria. The VRU with most of the current S15 members including Rod McQueen were part of your Rebels disaster the first time. I don't see the Cockatoo's having the same lack of ability on their board. In fairness to the rival Victorian rugby bid they don't carry any of the "disaster" baggage associated with the VRU bid.

There's an article in today's Australian about the three Melbourne bids, indicating the strong likelihood that at least two of them will come together by the end of the process (probably making it the front runner).

heh heh, very true - or John "pig's arse" Elliott gives him just the more scrupulous pointers

Todd I see one of the Vic Super 15 board members had a background at Elders - I just hope he doesnt turn to his old boss John Elliot for advice on running a sporting team!

Jupes, agree completely. I have stated exactly the same thing elsewhere on the Roar.

JJ - you're probably right - after all he is a banker Very short term and cyclical - just look at the what happened to the economy

Tahriffic - My take is that he is a project man and he likes missions that are challenging and have a medium term end point that can be measured. All his good work has been based on RWC cycles and that includes Soccer. The plans tend to finish with the tournament Final. I suspect that just runnng a business in the long term is not his forte. The focus has been on the S14 as it sustains the revenues and the players to make the Wallabies successful every 4 years. anything below is in the long term basket and not a priority as it is a cost, not a revenue raiser and normally a rats nest of politics.

I think the other Queensland team is based on the Sunshine Coast. Im not opposed to super rugby sides becoming private equity vehicles, but as Pablo alludes to, there are a host of issues to be resolved, i.e. player availability for the national side. These are not new to rugby, just look at what has happened in the UK/France. The main benefit to professional rugby is that they will be managed professionally at the top level. I have a lot of questions for the top brass at the NSWRU and to be polite, I dont think they're the best men for the job.

JON has been in control of rugby since 1996 - and never driven to put in an underlying structure below Suer 12/14/15 - probably because he doesn't consider it a key ingredient for success - he probably knows better than most - so I think we should stop debating the whys and wherefores of something that is not on the agenda

Jolly...you have nailed it. The decision on the next team is driven by $$ and nothing to do with expanding the game. Melbourne has (most importantly in JON's eyes) the Corporate base and the ready made facilities. He also want to deliver to the broadcasters the best possible viewing audience and after NSW and Qld (currently 64% of the viewing audience) Melbourne is the next best option. O'Neill has given up on Western Sydney..the two clubs that struggle most in the Shute Shield are Parramatta and Penrith...neither can field 3 colts sides ! Irrespective of where the 5th team is situated in Oz they will struggle. With O'Neill conducting his own ethnic cleansing policy of ridding the game of Leaguies plus the departure to Japan and Europe of quality but not necessarily top tier players, i can't see where a competitive squad of 30+ players will come from. Just reading that Sam Harris has signed with the Western Force...no offence but Sam is the "i've been everywhere man"...has a passport full of stamps but not much else to show for his time in Union and League. One final point...check out the new domestic competition structure anoounced for NZ and then compare it to what we have here In Oz and JON's plans for the game and tell me who will deliver success consistently in the longer term ! Cheers

Do you think J'ON knows who he wants but is putting on the bidding process for both appearance and to squeeze a bit more money out of the successful bid. If Victoria knew they were going to get it - the government wouldn't stump up as much cash My money is on Victoria - J'ON sent Carroll down there to talk with other bids probably to create even more competition and money All roads seem to head south

Jolly I think you're spot on.

This has all the hype of the Wallaby Coaching appointment. Months of talk and speculation and then J'ON's preferred solution breasts the line. Dont think for a second that the ARU does not already know who they are giving it too. The process is formal but the winner already has their name on the trophy. J'ON does nothing without knowing the endpoint and making sure he gets there. This is no lottery

Dont kid yourself, there were some talented kids playing this comp but it wouldnt even be Sydney 1st grade standard. The competition was a waste of ARU money the way it was run. If they want that sort of thing to be run then do it as a carnival over a week...

The Reds replacements. Interesting.