The four-year cycle which started in 2007 has ended with the 2011 Rugby World Cup and a new one is about to start with the biggest rugby ‘championship’ on the planet to kick off in a month time. Yes, that’s Super Rugby.
Yet many argue that the exodus of players to the Northern Hemisphere may affect the competition itself, its level and public’s interest. So what can we expect? Will the desertion of senior players have a negative impact on the comp’?
Well, first of all, it’s fair to say that the exodus of ‘top players’ hasn’t been consistent in the three countries.
If Australia and New Zealand have mainly lost players who were either on the way down, no offense, or not anymore indispensable in their own squad, South Africa on the other hand have lost a huge contingent of senior players who were the heart and soul (and fists) of their team.
How can you replace Botha (Gary and Bakkies), Matfield, Steenkamp, Rossouw, Du Preez, Fourie, Van der Linde or Smit? You just can’t.
With most of them being ex-Bulls, it’s fair to say that the Pretoria-based franchise will have to reinvent its brand of rugby in 2012 as the ‘tight five’ might not look as ‘tight’ at times as it used to.
The years of the bullying, rampaging Bulls up front might be a thing of the past and with it their domination on South African rugby, which means that Sharks, Stormers and even Cheetahs and Lions now have an opportunity of climbing up the pecking order and reshuffling South-African rugby.
How they want to achieve this will make this super rugby season the most open and interesting in years.
How about the Kiwis? Donald, Sivivatu, Rokocoko, Tialata or even Muliaina weren’t the players they used to be in the last couple of years and it’s not being disrespectful to say that they will be replaced by young, raw talents who have been waiting for the opportunity.
McAlister still has many good years ahead of him and what he has shown with Toulouse in the last few months proves that he is still world class, here or there. Brad Thorn is a unique case: he is getting better with age and just chose to call it a day after the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Fair enough.
The depth of New Zealand rugby being what it is, there is no question they will be competitive this year again. The most intriguing will be to see how teams like the Hurricanes or the Blues gel and how long it takes to do so.
Plus the first steps of Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu at Westac Stadium with the Blues’ jersey on. Can’t wait for this one!
Finally, Australia. Fact: the 2011 Super Rugby trophy is ours. Fact: although many ‘top’ players have moved around, they are still on our shores and that’s the main thing.
Veterans like Dunning, Baxter or Waugh will be missed but again they would probably not have been in any starting XV this year. Giteau and Hoiles? Fit, both mentally and physically, they would be indispensable in any squad.
But years in Australian rugby have taken their toll: Hoiles might never fully recover from his injury while Giteau needed some fresh air after the 2011 Rugby World Cup fiasco.
Many predict a more even competition within Australia with the Melbourne Rebels attracting a lot of attention: can Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor make the Victorian franchise a genuine contender?
So yes, 2012 might be a year of transition for Super Rugby. But there are many other sports who would love to have one like this in the pipeline. Bring it on.
List (non exhaustive) of ‘senior’ players out of Super Rugby in 2012:
Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, John Smit, Luke McAlister, John Afoa, Jo Rokocoko, Aled de Malmanche, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Brad Thorn, Phil Waugh, Al Baxter, Sosene Anesi, Luke Burgess, Greg Sommerville, Leroy Houston, Mark Chisholm, Huia Edmonds, Matt Giteau, Stephen Hoiles, Josh Valentine, Matt Dunning, Scott Staniforth, Danie Rossouw, Gary Botha, Gurthrö Steenkamp, Skipper Badenhorst, Jaque Fourie, Francois Louw, Enrico Januarie, Conrad Jantjes, CJ Van der Linde.
Rugbug
Guest
So the Saffas want another team and are looking to lobby NZ and Australia. I personally don't think they are capapble of fielding another competitive team they struggle with the teams they currently have and Australia and New Zeland should not be subjected to their politics. one thing I do like though is a complete round robin format as the current system is unfair and allows for pity finalists. Here is a link to astory posted on Stuff today http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/6346247/South-Africa-Expand-Super-Rugby-to-16-teams
Rugbug
Guest
You make it sound like 3 years is a long time between wins. I'm not sure if you realise that it took a long 7 seasons before an Australian team won their 3rd championship and 17 years before the Reds won their first. I guess in the antipodes three years between drinks would seem like a drought for the ages for some but it really isn't that long when comparing the various records of the countries involved in SR. It took the Saffas 12 years to win their first ever title and Rugby is arguably more of a religion there than it is in NZ. One must take note that the Saffas have done very well winning three of the last five titles since their break through year.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
Onor - I agree with you in that the Rebels could have recuited better in the forwards, but I am not sure that this year will see a Kiwi Champion for the first time since 2008. I think the Blues are your best bet with the Crusaders not far behind. Chiefs to be the big improvers, then meh... I'll have to hunt down the inter-conference results from last year and compare to this year's results and see if you are correct. From memory - last year the Kiwis did get the majority of results against their Aus and SA counterparts.... Also - I can't see any single team dominating this year as the Crusadres have in previous years - lets wait and see I guess...
Denby
Guest
Working Class Rugger, That sums Leroy up perfectly. He avoids confrontation. I remember when he played for the Tahs, at first I thought he looked to unfit to be a pro athlete and then, when he was on the field he never made an impact. It looks like he spent his whole time avoiding doing the hard yards in training and on the paddock. I always hoped he would be good, he grew up around my area. Bsides Leroy, the only other player of note we have produced is Dunning.
Rugbug
Guest
You ask the question do you speak on their behalf? Well it's pretty clear K that you do not speak for or on the behalf of New Zealanders nor it seems Australians so maybe it's time to pack up your pencils and give it a rest. We like they way our competitions are structured as they are. Please tell me what Aaron Cruden will do should in all likeliness Manawatu did not qualify for a the SR? You could bet your bottom dollar he will be lost to NZ rugby or he will take up residence permanently in a place like Waikato so he could play SR. There is no loyalty when it comes to paying the bills kid and your ill thought concept would kill New Zealand rugby. The Premiership, Championship Lahore and Meads cup are imperative to the success of not only our Super teams but also to that of our national teams at all levels and both forms of the game in 7's and XV aside. As it stands in New Zealand the system has been amended so that players whilst they may not stay within the Franchise for SR they can and most do return to play NPC for their home provinces and this is what the players and the NZ public want to see. Super rugby whilst it pays the bills it does not sate the need to do battle with your closest rivals, rivalries that have been forged over generations. Of course you could never understand this nor does it seem you want to, the most amazing thing is how you are so determined to break down the huge advantage that the NPC and CC give NZ and South Africa. Hilgendorff once played for Taranaki and a couple more young blokes who's names escape me at the moment one was/is a Australian 7's representitive. Fainifo pulled on the Jersey for the moolos only a season or two ago. maybe its time Australia started to look at sending developing players over to the ITM Premiership /Championship and Heartland competitions
Rugbug
Guest
Once again you avoid the questions at hand. Do you realise only Five teams have won super rugby since 1996 one of them a whopping 7 times, the next best three a piece and the brumbies twice and reds once? So your point re the 5 NPC winners is irrelevant
kovana
Guest
Why would they drift there? Do you speak on their behalf? Why does Cruden to play for Manawatu instead of Waikato? Its because of pride. If all the NPC got the same amount of money.. All will be equal. Think outside the box. Dont just gobble up that force fed nonsense by the NZRU.
Flashy
Guest
I'm fully aware of how many tiers are currently in operation but what you either fail to grasp or don't want to for the need of argument is that the players will drift to the SR sides - Cruden for instance will leave Manawatu and head to a SR team (what he's done now - except now he returns to Palm Nth to play for his province) Every player wanting higher honours will end up in those 5 teams - and none of the lower sides will win promotion - so you'll have a mirror image of the current teams but just playing in provincial colours ... Great for the 5 sides deemed worthy - tough for every other provinal fan
kovana
Guest
Look for all the hoopla.. Only 5 teams have won the NPC since 1995... Guess.. Otago, Auckland, Cantabs, Welly and Waikato. Have pride in your provinces.. Not fast food franchise rubbish. Also, there are ALREADY 2 divisions in the NPC.. Didnt you know? 7 in each division, Premiership and Championship. Make it 6 in the Premiership and 8 in the Championship. Champion of the Championship plays the Lowest ranked Premiership team... Home and away series.. That will decide if they are fit to remain or progress to the top flight. Why so afraid? It will not lead to disengagement.. It will lead to more passion and pride in Provincial rugby.. Something that is lacking in NZ.
Flashy
Guest
The idea that 2 tiers of NPC rugby would continue to exist if provinces took the places of the current franchises and promotion / relegation would occur is lunacy - all that would happen is all the players would gravitate to the initial SR provinces and the rest would be the equivalent of the current heartland sides (equating even more disengagement of the majority) .. . So the answer to whether Taranaki would beat the Reds or any other SR team - then yes they would be strong enough based on the history of NZ SR teams
Jiggles
Roar Guru
DS - I agree last years format with midweek and day time games was excellent, Rugby on fox pretty much every night of the week and it was good quality too. While Super Rugby will most likely expand in the future, I really can't see NZ doing away with the NPC as a development vehicle, as you say it is too valuable. There have been a few Australian players sent over to the NPC (James Hanson for example) and they are better off for it. NPC offers so much more than the club rugby scene in Sydney and Brisbane. The clubs in both city are the biggest obstacle to a similar competition in Australia, with the Sydney rugby fraternity the worst offenders.
Rugbug
Guest
The only arrogant person here kid is yourself, Nowhere ever have I claimed the superiority of our NPC teams nor have I spouted on about player depth in NZ. I challenge you or anyone else on this forum to find one post where I have, I can guarantee you now that I haven't and once again it is you coming up with ludicrous and crass comments to suit the moving of the goal posts which you frequently do. What I did was question how much you actually knew about the teams that compete in the domestic competition of New Zealand rugby and also how much you knew about the credentials of each team. of course neither of which you could answer so you resorted to childish comments and name calling, wow how grown up and mature of you. It is something you are claiming and it is also you shouting out that we should use our NPC teams for Super rugby. You tell me why Kid that we should use our NPC teams, please I'm really interested as are others to know. Also who gives you the right of all people to tell Kiwis what we should do with our competition and what we Kiwis actually like. It is quite clear you know very little about the NPC and Currie Cup for that matter and really should refrain from saying anything because you do come across as extremely pig headed and as you say "Arrogant" What it all boils down to Kid is NZ has a very solid basis for Rugby which gives it depth, much like Australian cricket, there are clear pathways to making it to the big leagues. why should NZ throw away over 100 years of domestic rugby to pander to your ill informed ideals of who should participate in SR. I'm sure I don't need to remind you that all the provinces are aligned with a Franchise like it or not in professional sport sometimes uncomfortable alliances need to be made. Also I see above where someone has questioned what happens should only North Island teams qualify for super rugby or dare I say Auckland with over a quarter of NZs population does not qualify? What do you expect the fans to do then Kid? You know little about NZ rugby and the rivalries that go with it. It is highly unlikely Canterbury supporters would start barracking for Auckland or Bay of Plenty in SR should their own team not qualify. Then what happens to these fans, they would go elesewhwere possibly to other codes. How about you concentrate on your own teams and leave NZ rugby to New Zealand.
kovana
Guest
Again Rugger. If you are so confident about your NPC teams and spout arrogant claims that NZ have a player depth. Use the NPC teams in SR. Use 2 tiers of NPC rugby.
Rugbug
Guest
Kid got served big time and thats all you can come up with "Mr Pedant" Time to step away from the keyboard and leave the rugby to the grown folk. Go and learn a little about rugby kid and then come back when you actually know a thing or two
johnny-boy
Guest
Daaaaaryllll - tell him he's dreaming ...
onor
Guest
Dude .. do you know anything... ??? IMO ... southland would give any of your states a run for their money.. as would hawkes bay the naki and manawatu!!! cos they dont play show boat SR style games.. its hard nosed.. old school.. face in the mud style up front rugby!! NPC is a different to SR!!
onor
Guest
dude,... you cant rely on oconnor and beale... you need a hard nut forward back that can dominate the opposing teams forward pack.... if they do that.. they'll get consistent front foot ball.. beale and occonner can jink and jive and dance however much they like.. it wont win them lineouts.. it wont win them scrums.. it wont win them rucks.. it wont win them malls.. It'll be a kiwi affair this year.. cheifs, highlanders, crusaders, blues.. the teams are looking strong!!
kovana
Guest
For your info Mr pedant, i just jotted those teams down. Not as actual rankings. Stop going over the top with your pedantic over reactions.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
It's pretty obvious that spouting meaningless crowd numbers is about as close as you get to reality ... The NZRFU can use any system they like to represent NZ rugby at SR level - it's certainly not up to anyone else ... The provinces have their own separate competition and I believe kiwis prefer it that way
Rugbug
Guest
Surely they can Kovana they have beaten Canterbury Waikato and Wellington in the last two seasons. P.s go back and have a look at the table Kovana where are Auckland, Wellington and dare I say it Otago? The latter is not even in the premiership! Oh and the most ironic thing is you have Southland ahead of Taranaki and you don't even mention Bay of Plenty who finished fourth in the premiership ahead of Auckland, Wellington and Southland again the latter who has been relegated to the Championship You do realise that Taranaki were hoping to bid for the Franchise spot that went to the Rebels don't you!? Of course you didn't because you didn't do your research and you know very little about New Zealand rugby! The only reason they didn't bid was because the NZRU refused to put forward another NZ team to appease the Australians. Not only did they (Taranaki) have a wealthy Taranaki ex pat willing to back the team they also had a lot of local support.