With just hours to go, the time is right to pour some petrol on those propaganda flames. Once again, I found myself reflecting on the possible curve balls SARU (South African Rugby Union) can toss at SANZAR in effort to justify their Southern Kings bid.
Will they get additional government funding? Will the fact that they have the infrastructure and stadium ready to go play part in the decision?
What about the 74 professional South African rugby players playing for overseas clubs?
The conclusion to this speculation though led me to feeling a bit like a magic eight ball: logic dictates Melbourne will win.
It’s become apparent that News Corp recommended that Melbourne get the nod, this in itself should be enough to justify the decision as money talks in the professional era, yet it did nothing to easy burning sensation in the pit of my stomach.
The primary cause of my paranoia must be the Australian media who have made us all well aware of the in fighting and politics around finalising the Rebels bid.
First, there’s three bids uniting, then VRU is sidelined, next thing we know VRU is back in favour, and VicSuper15 withdraws interest.
It’s been all but a smooth ride to the submission, but to give credit where credit is due, the ARU pulled all the parties together and submitted a bid backed by all remaining stakeholders, and everyone is happy.
The Southern Kings bid, on the other hand, seems to be going backwards.
More than a month after their bid to become the fifteenth franchise was submitted, the Currie Cup stakeholders cannot find a place for the new team in the current first division of the primary regional competition.
This comes after the (Currie Cup) President’s Council voted to not let the Southern Kings participate in the first division of the Currie Cup in 2010 at the cost of a team that rightfully qualified for the spot, and the problem is compounded by the fact that the Southern Kings will essentially be made up of the top players of three of the existing provinces in the second division of the Cup.
Are they doomed to fail, even with player numbers, infrastructure, a stadium?
Mismanagement seems to be the order of the day as it looks to me like they drew a pretty picture of the destination (Southern Kings), with no idea of what the route would be to lead them there.
Give them three years.
And when Super 15 expands to Super 18, they might have sorted out the domestic requirements to make the Southern Kings a natural conglomerate rather than a forced entity. But until such time, they’ll remain Kings without a kingdom.
Ben J
Guest
Have no doubt that the Southern Kings would resemble anything like the current Eastern Province team. If they get the nod there will be players galore who would be imported and South Africans returning. There are plenty of good young black players on the fringes, in Varsity teams and age groups that could make this a very exiting proposition. Who would play for the Melbourne team? I have no idea as the talent is spread so thinly already. They have to bring in Aussies from overseas to make this a viable team. Port Elizabeth has a fantastic new stadium, plenty of good rugby schools and good coaches ready to take the reigns. I agree that Melbourne would probably get it but it will be interesting nontheless.
steve
Guest
I have posted this last comment on another article but, the article touches on some key points and as a South African I would love to see the Eastern Cape in the currie cup first division and the super 15\18 but they must earn their place not be strong armed by the government into the competition. So what us as the spectator need to call for is competition reform: Why not promote the European system of structuring rugby and football seasons. Where each country has its own league (Australia really needs to get its own league) the top 6 side from each SANZAR country and the top 2 from japans top league are entered into the super rugby comp each year. The idea behind this is that rugby supporters in Australia and New Zealand are feeling disconnected from the franchises and thus has resulted in attendances to drop. There is more of a connection in South Africa and New Zealand with the Currie cup and Npc respectively and to a lesser degree with the comps in NSW and Queensland. Its time to use this tribalism to grow the support base of Rugby and once that is achieved then we start thinking of roping in the rest of the world. The positives on a Heineken cup type league and the European season is: With pools of 4 teams (in a super rugby comp) per pool means less travel (saves money) The top six qualifying means that there is something for all the teams to play for in the local comp, even when the semi finalists have already been determined. The whole conference system was mooted to provided more local derbies which draw in the largest crowds, well why not promote local leagues instead which would mean entire league of local derbies. The Boks, all blacks and wallabies could all take part in their local leagues again (improving attendances) The further benefits to each SANZAR nation is: South Africa: The boks would be able to play in the majority of the currie cup Even though border and the SWD unions are apart of the Kings bid, very few or no games will be played in East London and George and these regions are such hot beds of rugby support it would be a shame not include them or give them the opportunity to compete for a place in the super rugby comp. Australia: For Australia to set-up a national comp and tap into the tribalism(which is often spoken about on this site) will grow support for rugby in Aus. It will also allow the wallabies to play in the comp. Heightening it’s appeal. It would be wise to for Aus to start off with a 8 team comp.(3 NSW, 2 QU 1 ACT 1 VIC 1 WA teams) much like the ARC but not promote it as a development tournament but as the premier aus comp. Could set up a proper RU version of State of Origin Series (name it something else otherwise all the league people will have a cry) New Zealand: The reintroduction of the provinces will help connect rugby back to its roots. Once this is achieved and with large amounts of investment into local leagues and rugby structures of countries like Argentina, the US, Canada by the IRB and SANZAR we can start seeing the top teams from their tournaments playing qualifying matches (as is the case in the Heineken cup) to gain entry into the Super comp. Just a thought
Hammer
Guest
"And when Super 15 expands to Super 18" .. why does everyone assume this is a done deal ... if the 15th team struggles and inhabits the bottom of the table (Kings) or severely weakens other franchises in their conference (Melbourne) ... why would SANZAR continue to ignore what's proven to be the case every time expansion has happen ... the quality of it's product being diluted ... people in NZ and Aust are already turning their back on S14 ... I can't see how S15 / 18 / 24 ... will win back spectators
Brett McKay
Guest
from a purely selfish point of view Neville, I hope you're right. Again I say though - and I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but - this is SANZAR we're talking about. Logic and reason rarely play a part....