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I realise most Roarers seem to loathe the Super Rugby conference system, so excuse me while I sing its praises.
While rugby purists might wish to see their team tested against each and every opposing side in the hemisphere, I say, neh!
Now don’t get me wrong, all power and total respect to our brothers and sisters in New Zealand and South Africa who enjoy a decent domestic competition of their own, but in OZ, we’ve got five Super Rugby teams and then club land (metropolitan based, not even national!)
All power to them too.
Thing is, as much as I enjoy the Reds doing battle against all comers from East and West of our flat, dry land, I still want to see the Reds play the Waratahs both in Sydney and at home, ditto for Canberra, Perth and Melbourne (god bless em’!)
Last week’s match between the Reds and the Brumbies is a case in point. All manner of niggle and spite. Again, I’m not for a second suggesting that matches against South Africa or New Zealand teams are less of a spectacle or in any way inferior.
There is after all, nothing quite like a Ma Nonu or Bakkies Botha creating car crash havoc with Australia’s finest.
I don’t buy that argument either that is makes it easier for teams in the ‘easier’ conference to make the finals. Which conference is that again?
I’ve read that it was because of South Africa that the first placed in each conference goes through automatically.
Sounds like a good idea to me. 50% of matches are against teams from the other two conferences, so how do you realistically expect to top your conference if you can’t match it with them?
Even if that was the case, you’d cop a drubbing in the first play off.
So if I have to forgo the pleasure of seeing one team from each neighbour against my boys once a year, well, that’s a price I’m willing to pay.
That’s because the niggle and spite in local derbies is just so damned personal. As awesome as the number sevens are abroad, none of them are competing against Liam Gill for a Wallabies jersey.
I mean, did you see him in action against George Smith?
Who cares who won the bout, just watch em’ go at it like a pair of pit-bulls with road rage.
I am obviously getting emotional here and I haven’t even started on the front row or Horwell v Dennis.
Well just look at me, a no. 10 raving about forward packs!
And it gets worse rugby fans. I’m also a mungo lover. However, of late I find I’m watching less and less NRL and more Super Rugby. That thing you rugby monogamists keeping going on about, that repetition…
But what it does offer is visceral rivalry, and in the case of St George, intense hate.
Then of course there is AFL, soccer and that other sport where they stand around all day in the sun. Anyway, in OZ, rugby has to fight harder for cash and attention than a tone-deaf busker.
Until the French stop writing bigger cheques than even the Japanese clubs, our comp has to produce maximum cash for minimum cost, or land a billion dollar TV rights deal.
So no offence. Love us or hate us Southern bros and sisters, if you want us around, and I like to think you do, we need something approaching a viable domestic comp.
Oh and I almost forgot, we also need some of your best coaching staff too.
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.