The advent of professionalism in rugby means the unions with the most money can buy the most talented players, and although we here in the southern hemisphere don’t like to admit it, the better players are for the most part now playing in the northern hemisphere.
SANZAR has had a challenge on their hands since the start of the professional era to find a way of combatting the lure of the Euro and Yen and somehow keep their players involved in their own domestic and franchise competitions.
Sadly it is a war that for obvious reasons is being lost, and the worse the problem becomes the more outlandish SANZAR’s search is becoming for that elusive pot of gold.
Super Rugby has always had two key areas of importance: preparing our players for Test rugby, and to generate enough income to keep our players at home.
You may argue that Super Rugby is still preparing our players for Test rugby, but will most likely agree that SANZAR is failing to generate enough revenue to sustain higher salaries for our players.
The reality is that our existing markets are too small – the ARU is fighting other sporting codes for popularity, the New Zealand population is small, and the SARU has failed to make significant inroads into the untapped markets of South Africa.
You could say that SARU only represents 20 per cent of the South African population, the ARU are in a similar boat, and New Zealand is tapped out.
So what are the chances that SARU can infiltrate the untapped market in South Africa? Well, unless they find a way to work with the South African government in bringing rugby to the grass roots, you would think very small.
Equally the question should be asked what can the ARU do to increase their market share in one of the most competitive sporting markets in the world? Again, going by history and the politics between the state unions, it’s doesn’t look promising.
SANZAR’s decision to go abroad to Argentina and Asia in search of new markets is a long-term plan that may or may not work. The fact is the southern hemisphere nations are separated by vast oceans and regardless of where you end up, time zones and travel will always be an issue.
I am severely disappointed about the fact that SARU and the ARU have seemingly given up on the development of their own local markets and are effectively admitting defeat.
The other reality we must face is that apart from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Japan, there are no other professional rugby leagues in our neck of the woods, and any manufactured league will take decades to develop into competitive opposition, which means the key priority of preparing our players for Test rugby is going out the window.
Though it is possible for the incoming Asian team to be strong due to the fact that talent can be bought from anywhere, and the Argentinian team will primarily be Puma players, how long will it take to grow and develop additional teams to ensure viability of new conferences?
It is a harsh reality that this expansion exercise could take decades to come to fruition or fail miserably in the process, only to bring us back to square one.
In the meantime, SANZAR will still struggle to produce enough revenue to retain their players.
The question is what other options are available?
Some have suggested that SANZAR disband Super Rugby, that the ARU and New Zealand Rugby Union join forces in a trans-Tasman competition and South Africa join Europe.
I have been discussing the possibility of South Africa joining the European Rugby Club Championship with a host of European rugby supporters and even though it is possible and financially viable for South African franchises to join the European Rugby Champions Cup by adding another pool, the problem is that at the height of the European season (November to January) it is simply too hot to play rugby in South Africa.
It will therefore require the European season to be restructured to accommodate South African franchises during the ERCC, and even though it only requires a nine-week window, it will be difficult to accomplish.
So, scratch that idea.
Whether the ARU and NZRU will be able to sustain a financial model of a trans-Tasman competition is highly doubtful, unless of course they decide to pay their players within the constraints of their means, which risks more players jetting off to Japan or Europe.
There is also the fact that the NZRU will not entertain such a format as they would lose out on competing against the physical South African teams.
I have previously suggested that South Africa leave the Super Rugby competition and focus on developing their Currie Cup to a Top 14 structure, and I still believe that is the route to go, however SARU does not seem to be interested in it.
No matter our personal views on the SANZAR union, it seems for now at least we are committed to each other while having to compromise portions of our individual needs and priorities. The common goal of SANZAR has changed, they are simply fighting for financial survival and unfortunately Super Rugby will be unrecognisable in the near future.
Whether we choose to support these new formats or not, SANZAR has decided to move into expansion mode, largely ignoring what fans want while attempting to adhere to whatever key focus areas they now have.
The sad reality is the SARU, ARU and NZRU are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t. For any of them to stand alone financially will be a tough ask, SARU might be in a slightly better position due to their viewing numbers and potential broadcasting revenue, but I doubt the ARU or NZRU could be financially viable on their own.
Even as a collective they face challenges no other collective unions face, hence the desperation of their actions.
I would just like to remind them of the old adage, ‘Keep it simple, stupid’.
Firstxv
Guest
birdy 2003 was also a period that coincided by a similar 'accident' with a relatively poor level of the 3 SH sides. SA were dire and Oz and NZ were having turns knocking each other off, none playing particularly great rugby. SA lost 5 straight to NZ in that period and only had narrows wins over Oz, losing also to Scotland and France. So England managed to hit a purple patch that hasnt happened probably since the 71 and 74 Lions in terms of NH rugby. As good as England was, they certainly timed their run well.
Birdy
Guest
I agree, dsf, it has to be very carefully managed in the NH or it will effect the national sides. France are creating a problem for themselves. The benefit of that for the others is that they can see the problems France are creating for themselves and are taking steps to avoid them. If they can strengthen the domestic standards and maintain the academies; age group structures and national team access to players, then a big challenge to the SH is coming from the north. If not, then a football scenario is possible. However, I don't think, certainly in England, that there is scope for a monster like the EPL to be created in rugby. The sport is just not big enough compared to football. Therefore, I'm hopeful (from an English perspective).
Firstxv
Guest
yeah agree. For me the SXV in particular is the primary reason for NZ's success in the professional era. Its allowed us to spread our talent more evenly across the nation in a way that the cream rises more easily than it did in the amateur era. Even the availability of the overseas contracts serve their purpose. That way we don't clog up the sxv and ITM with 'retirees' such is the talent coming through.
dsf
Guest
Your right birdy its only a matter of time. SH nations will have to select overseas players and we should see a soccer type transition where the big clubs in europe become more prominent than the national teams with the exception of world cup years. Whether this will benefit the NH national teams remains to be seen, Im hoping it derails them like it has in football hehe (not my beloved all blacks). I can genuinely see SANZAR replacing every superstar that leaves due to the grassroots rugby... ok maybe not aus but hey they can always pillage nrl players and convert them into 12s.
Birdy
Guest
'Always has - always will'. Interesting complacency, firstxv. I hope it's a widely shared view in the SH. I remember similar stuff said by Aussies about the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. There was more than the occasional hint about the genetic superiority of the Aussie (read SH) male. It transpired that, what anyone with half a brain would have known, it is to do with a range of factors including structures; the place of particular sports in schools; administrative competence; money etc etc. When these factors changed relatively in the Olympics, the Aussies got creamed. If they change relatively in rugby, the same thing will happen. England had a 3 year period where they beat all SH sides repeatedly home and away. It wasn't a fundamental change, simply the accident of a great side coming together at the same time. The reason it wasn't a fundamental change is that the game in England was run by a bunch of amateur incompetents. I suspect that the dearth of NH players in the SH competitions is to do with a range of factors as well - unless you're saying that, for example, the English game couldn't provide any tight five forwards that could secure a SR contract. There are big changes coming in rugby, and the NH have a number of advantages which means they are better placed to take advantage of them. Whether they will or not - who knows?
Mark
Guest
NZ would dissappear as a rugby force without Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship We could not generate the income alone - or even with Aussie - to maintain enough competitive players in NZ. That would mean selecting from overseas Which would further reduce the lucrativeness of any non Super Rugby format.
firstxv
Guest
I don't see that as a necessarily see that as a good thing all round. It reminds me of the mitre 10 DIY advert. You either do it yourself or pay someone to do it. In terms of rugby 'we wanna see the best even if we have to pay for it' . Crusaders get a good following but I guess a big difference is in NZ we are largely rugby players and coaches and critics rather than watchers, the NH the opposite.
firstxv
Guest
My point being theres a surplus of talent in the SH and money in the NH. You never see players coming here to prop our sides up and no NH coach has coached a 3N side that I can recall. Regardless of any other consideration NH rugby ability is the poor cousin if the South. Its been that way forever. Our players go there for a myriad of reasons, one being because they can't cut it here yes...but I wouldn't see that as a NH positive, it merely supports the point. Next year an aged and usually injured Dan carter will be the highest paid NH player and SH fill most of the top 10 salaries on a regular basis. All the indicators confirm that the NH, from a purely rugby ability perspective, needs help to appease its audience. Always has...always will.
firstxv
Guest
My point was a fairly simple one birdy and it may apply more to the french setup but at its core it you watch SH rugby then you watch SH rugby. When you watch NH rugby you watch a combination of NH and SH rugby. Clearly NH rugby can't hold its own because it requires a barrarge of SH players and coaches. You can't say it could hold its own when it chooses not to. We now have half the 6N head coaches so at a simple level not only do they need players to play the games they need our coaches to coach them...increasingly so. Paint it how you want birdy but the flow is 100% one way and if not for the SH influence NH rugby would be dire indeed. Heineken at same levels as sxv? If so if can only be the case logically because of the SH presence. The Sxv largely produces the top 3 ranked international sides bar several boks, the Heineken provides largely 4 to below. Remove the SH presence and the comparison and levels would naturally drop.
Ozee316
Guest
You don't need to sign an exact restraint of trade contract. Just the first and minimum contract for an All Black and Wallaby should be 5 years and after a season they are on 7 year contracts. The outer year payments are negligible but allow the NZRU and ARU to prevent them playing for NH clubs. Obviously no player will be prevented, simply the NH club must front up with the appropriate fee to the Australian and NZ public aswell as the bucketloads of cash to the player. They want a Springbok? Fine but the SARU should be getting something because it is the Springbok jersey and history they are buying too. If the jersey means that much then this must happen.
Ozee316
Guest
The obvious way to protect the intellectual property of SANZAR's flag teams - Super Rugby and Test teams - is to charge NH clubs transfer fees to take former players. The only way to enforce transfer fees is to start signing Wallabies and All Blacks and all core Super Squad members to contracts of at least 4-6 years length. Not intending they play this out but that when/if this player is traded North an acceptable fee can be received. This money can then be reinvested in recruiting new homegrown talent. This system is widely used in other sports. Contract salary payments decline in outer years forcing the player to renegotiate before the term ends so they don't become free agents and ensuring that a transfer fee becomes payable. Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks can have restraint of trade clauses that restrict them from playing outside of SH leagues for 5 years after their contract UNLESS a negotiated fee is paid. If the above were in place the ARU and NZRU would be both at least $5-10 million richer from transfer fees in recent months. Money that is useful to recruit and pay the next batch of stars.
RobC
Roar Guru
I think two in Scotland. two in France. Wales has two hybrid / sewn artificial - Cardiff, Millennium Im believe the characterisation of NH Rugby is from the past. NH is catching up imo. But a few years yet I think. France? reminds me Europe pre-1848. All things in good time.
melbourneterrace
Guest
Anyone who invests into sport to make a profit is not a good investor. Europe thrives on private equity because these blokes love their clubs and are willing to make losses, there is no passionate attachment to super rugby franchises that even get close to what the clubs in Europe have.
Birdy
Guest
RobC; it's certainly helped. In the English Prem, though, there's only Saracens and Newcastle with artificial pitches (I think). You still see some slug-fests, but this is usually if the weather is bad. An influx of top quality players from abroad; good talent coming through from academies and a definite fashion among coaches to play more ball-in-hand is increasing the quality hugely in England and in the Celtic league. France are buying quality in and, ironically, given French traditions, seem almost to be adopting a more forward-oriented approach, outside of the top 2 or 3 teams. I agree with the critics that the French model is dubious and already affecting the national team. Wales is just coming out of a civil war between the WRFU and the major provincial teams; Scotland is improving and Ireland are maintaining their strength. The quality of the rugby is unrecognisable at club level from even 5 years ago across much of the NH. This will begin to filter through to a rebalancing of inter-Hemisphere international results in the next few years, particularly if the NH structure their seasons better. I would argue that the new 'Heineken Cup' (the European Champions Cup) is already at Super Rugby level (certainly in the knockout rounds) and will improve in quality in the future. I think SH criticism (sneering?) has been a small part of the incentive to get acts together as it led to some awkward questions being asked. Therefore, the SH may well get what many down there have claimed they always wanted - greater 'competition'. Whether people in a few years will be saying 'be careful what you wish for' - who knows?
RobC
Roar Guru
100% :lol:
She sounds like the smart one :lol:
RobC
Roar Guru
Man, you're like my wife. She's totally hidden, but behind the scene. Whereas Im all over the place. Pretty much how the marriage works. She's the boss. haha.
I don't use linkedin mate, every time I have to add a contact it gives me hassles, I don't use facebook cause I am incognito ;)
RobC
Roar Guru
You are not merely qualified for South Africa national coach for life, BB. You can add transnational 'mind reader' to your facebook / LinkedIn / Roar profile as well :D
You meant to say, straight BACK to Jo'burg, eh? ;)