What questions do you want to ask ARU CEO Bill Pulver?

Losing revenue as well by hosting tier one tests in AAMI Park. Wales are playing the Chiefs in Hamilton on their tour to NZ.

He definitely did as the man himself mentioned publicly.

Correct - SANZAR has a partnership with IHG, so all super rugby teams stay at either Crowne Plaza or Holiday Inn hotels. In Melbourne it's the Crown Plaza Melbourne, and in Sydney it's the Crowne Plaza Coogee

And just as valid a point is for the whole month the ARU have a total of just 3 games to present to the market, smack in the middle of winter. It may create revenue, but at what cost to potential revenue that it maybe losing. Similar to your argument about long distance cross conference games, you can point to the TV deal. But what potential income are you losing with these games and competitoin that has little interest to the local market

Kapito I think you'll find this is covered by that sponsorship of the Wallabies in some way. Otherwise wouldn't Super Rugby teams shop around for a deal? The Reds financial report actually states: "The Company is in receipt of sponsorship in the form of contra for travel, playing gear, advertising, car leasing, etc." Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is also an official supplier and sponsor.

That makes us a perfect fit. largest, closest external nz/polynesian market for nzru. Would enable aru to compete with nrl domestically. 14 itm teams plus 5 from aru plus new western Sydney team. 20 team comp.

Bill, The ARU is in financial difficulties and are hosting England's 33 man squad here for a month to play only 3 games. Was any thought given to organising mid week games against the likes of NSW Country or Qld Country to raise extra revenue?

@Train I know Qantas sponsor the Wallabies but I wasn't aware they sponsored the Rebels or any Super Rugby teams? I don't see any visible hotel sponsorship either. I expect it's reciprocal with the host union covering the costs. But how does it work exactly? And @Bakkies I know the rugby reason why they play these games. That's not in dispute. I'm asking about the financial justification. The ARU is in financial difficulty. Can Bill put a dollar amount on the cost of the extra inter-conference games in the tournament please. How much does it cost exactly? And is this the best use of the budget? That's my question.

Not quite. Part of Qantas sponsorship covers most of the travel cost. That's why every team travels in Qantas business class. Otherwise they'd shop around for a deal. Wouldn't be surprised if Hotel sponsorship is involved also given that most teams stay at the same hotels.

He could have. I believe they are signed contingent on the ARU component being agreed. I.e. If you and the ARU don't come to terms, you aren't locked into it.

The problem is that the Kiwis want to play the SA teams so what's in place is a compromise.

The Stars tender was up. It wasn't working as no one would support a Sydney Uni/Balmain venture so they didn't renew it.

Mowen actually signed a contract with the Brumbies. Apparently that was voided due to the ARU not coming to the party. Surely he could have kept his Brumbies contract, no different other players like Toomua, Badge, Leiliifano who were capped around the same time.

How are you going to engage western sydney with rugby? What are you thoughts on the following: 1.6th Super rugby U20s side for western sydney? So that western sydney JGC talent doesnt go to league Bring a Polynesian cup to western sydney ala NRL for Tonga Samoa Niue Cook Islands? - Ask world rugby for assistance?? Integrate NZ super rugby U20 sides into our tournament?

Bill congratulations on the changes that you've brought in so far. 1. Indigenous reconciliation program x 2 2. NRC 3.JGC 4. U20s 5. New Tv deal with super rugby on FTA. Question 1: What is the future of the Super rugby U20s; Will there be a Western Sydney Waratahs team? Possible links with NZ U20s super rugby sides? Question 2: How are you going to engage the western sydney community as per your plan without a 6th Super rugby team? Question 3: Have your team thought about bringing Tonga Samoa Niue Cook Island NZ Maori rugby games to western sydney? Would world rugby financially support this? (This could be a way of engaging the pacific islander community out west ala NRL polynesian cup). What are your thoughts?

@Bakkies. The ARU is a partner in Sanzar so it still costs them. At the moment it appears the unions are squandering the TV riches on excessive travel. What I'm getting at is a new tournament that costs less to run and actually engages better with the TV audience... lower operating costs and higher broadcast revenue. Win win. One of the first things I would look at it is these expensive inter-continental games that have little value to either the fans or the broadcasters. (The broadcasters already stated publicly that they see zero value in these games. It's Sanzar's choice to play them). Just stop playing them. The tournament could start later, less games means less fatigue on players and spectators and the same, if not more, broadcast revenue. More money for grass roots development.

Pretty sure that Sanzaar foot the bill for that

The players leave due to the fact that they were being paid peanuts. If Irish reports are correct about Douglas earning 125k a year at the Tahs then Cheika, NSWRU and the ARU should have themselves to blame not Leinster for signing him. It makes Cheika's behaviour more desperate, pathetic and Douglas future prospects of earning his true value overseas in the future look bleak. Ship had sailed, the player was about to get married so let him be. Signing players who are injured and in rehab then picking them for tests is bad business.

Totally agree with what you say Rob but because of these cultural differences that's why I don't think there's much we can learn from a commercial point of view. From a performance point of view... That's a whole different story!

As I mentioned in the comment you refer to and as you've reiterated; 2 different markets. When I say we can learn from NZ, I don't simply mean the best way to grow moving forward. Again, as mentioned; an FTA presence is one part of the puzzle. As I'm sure you're well aware, rugby is a code embraced across cultures and classes in NZ, it is engrained in the national psyche and pay TV penetration sits at around 50%. In short, people would climb Mount Cook to watch it. Rugby in Australia is almost taking on niche status, pay TV subscriptions reside at around 30% and it's this market (the more affluent) where Australia's rugby viewership currently sits. If rugby wants to grow its market share in here it has to make it easier to watch for people beyond this pond.