How do you solve a problem like Super Rugby?

That is the best solution by far.

Hi, thanks for supporting my suggested structure...see above

Again, I’m not sure you’re grasping the points I’m trying to make. I’m not arguing broadcasters have ‘absolute power’ over SANZAAR in the decisions being made. But a seriously unhealthy and unparalleled influence – you bet! The direct communication between SANZAAR and the broadcasters at current and past negotiations before a model/changes are stipulated to the public is no secret. Broadcasters have been provided the opportunity to express their desires for the competition and what model would see SANZAAR achieve the best possible deal. Given the slop SANZAAR has delivered, it’s fair to assume these broadcast desires are front of mind in SANZAAR’s decision making with fan engagement completely off the radar. Of course it’s within SANZAAR’s interests to negotiate the best possible deal with broadcasters and what this is plays a part in decision making. But the result has to be balanced with the wants and needs of fans and the results dished up by SANZAAR have had an overwhelming flavour of broadcaster desires without much consideration for the former. I’d also argue that the power SANZAAR has handed over to the broadcasters is what they’re seeking. They’d be silly not to. But it’s SANZAAR who are the real fools who are allowing this stakeholder to dictate terms to the extent that they’re allowing them to. Thanks OB, appreciate the chat.

It seems whoever drafted the current Super rugby draw is asking for a heap of trouble as happened in the last Seasons debacle. The Lions of South Africa are currently regarded as the most likely South African to get up as per last Season so. why is it that those very Lions do not play a New Zealand team whatsoever in the run through? It smacks of an organised Draw like the last one!

Not explicitly. But by saying "Can’t help but think the ARU would have thrown more money at him to hang around if he’d been a Waratah" how else is it meant to be interpreted? Seriously? If you can't draw the conclusion from that sentence that the ARU didn't try hard enough to keep him (i.e. let him go) then I don't have a clue how you wanted that sentence interpreted. I'd imagine if Folau wanted to go to Japan as that was the only way that he could afford to support his ailing father, and his siblings with cystic fibrosis, I would suggest that he would be granted the same early release from his contract. Cummins was the starting winger for the Wallabies at the time, yet you're making out like they could care less about the bloke and were glad he left. The fact is they gave him another contract as soon as they could for the 7's. More bums on seats / eyes on screens is a pointless argument, as there's no way to prove it one way or the other. I'm not disagreeing with you that Cummins is a great ambassador for the game, he definitely crossed over into more mainstream markets as well (struth I've bought both his books myself), I just don't see why you're seeing this as an opportunity to knock the Waratahs/the ARU and Israel Folau? It's not that hard to make a fair point without trashing something else.

I didn't say they'd let him go I said they'd have made more of an effort to keep a Waratah star than a Force one I don't see how you can even make an argument that that isn't the case. Honeybadger got more bums on seats and eyes on screens than Folau does, imagine if he decided tomorrow he wanted to go to Japan

I'm probably telling you something you already know, but the ARU granted him an early release on compassionate grounds so he could take the big dough in Japan to support his family. Then he went into 7's last year. How have the ARU let him go? God knows what he's doing now though. Think he's been in some music video's or something along those lines. Plus the bloke is NSW Wales born, and came up through Randwick, before getting his opportunity with the Force. Why are you bringing the Waratahs into this at all?

Rob In one breath, you are adamant that because Sanzaar, have bent over backwards in pursuit of funding, that they handed a power status, over to the Broadcaster. In the next breath, you have agreed that Sanzaar and its union members are responsible, for SR's direction, which has been my whole counter argument, to your position. We do agree on something. The only influence from the Broadcaster, as I have always countered, is simply how much finance they are willing to part with, to broadcast this new, reduced competition, around the globe. And, as a result of having that financial ability, it therefore becomes imperative for Sanzaar, to try and negotiate the best deal for the new option, they can offer. Just because Sanzaar may fail to negotiate a best deal scenario, doesn't mean that they have bent over backwards to provide the broadcaster with an over-riding power base - it just means the product that they offered, isn't worth the funding, that they envisaged. But, no organisation, business or sporting, enters into a financing negotiation, with the prospect of handing a power base over to the team, on the other side, of the table. These negotiations are simply for a product and, its worth. Sanzaar dug this hole, they find themselves in......the Broadcaster didn't dig it......and, as with any negotiation, the Broadcaster is just letting Sanzaar dig themselves deeper and deeper, into the bog because it makes for a lesser and lesser pay-day, from their perspective. We can agree to disagree Rob if you suggest, the Broadcaster has got Sanzaar, bending over backwards, to secure a power hold. Its not a power hold they're seeking - as in any negotiation, it is simply making sure that they secure, a "bargain for their buck". And from my viewpoint, I don't think they need to find too many bucks, for the bargain, on offer. Btw, cheers for the chin-wag.

Like I said, picking at pimples and making things worse.

Everyone travels, I think that was a poor excuse for changing the format.

So what does fair look like? When it was Super 12 & Super 14, the biggest complaint heard constantly was that all the travel was unfair. It was one of the primary reasons Sanzar went to conferences...

Sorry but I disagree Andy, in a world where everything is manipulated for the sake of money it is nice to know that some things can still be a fair and even contest and retain a simple format. Why not be different and have a competition that is exclusively straight forward and fair?' It will make for a refreshing change in this sporting world where money is the God these days

Sounds too good to be true,and because it is, SANZAR won't even considerit !!!!!

The most ridiculous proposal yet. Three conferences: NZ stays as is. Australia drops the Rebels and moves the Brumbies to Melbourne. Sunwolves join the Australian conference. King and Cheetahs get dropped. Jaguares join the remaining South African teams in a conference together. All teams within a conference play home and away fixtures = 8 games. Teams play all remaining teams once = 10 games. 18 games for each team in total. Top 6 teams make the finals. Three conference champs ranked 1 - 3 and the next three best teams overall ranked 4 - 6. First round of the playoffs 3 plays 6 and 4 plays 5. Winners move on to play 1 and 2 in the semis.

OB, I can't help but feel you're missing a point or 2 of mine. Of course all the relevant unions have a say in the direction of the tournament and of course this is a business and the broadcaster would be foolish not to try and influence decision making and pay what they think it's worth. But unfortunately it's clear the unions have bent over backwards to chase broadcast revenue and the simplistic formula I mention above is seeing the goldern goose die one feather at a time instead of actually creating something for the fans that has a sustainable future. Again, the unions have the ultimate say in the direction of Super Rugby and nobodies holding a gun to their heads telling them what they must do (may be that's an idea....), but if you can't see the unparalleled power broadcasters have over SANZAAR with the ongoing developments in their provincial tournament there isn't a lot left for me to say.

The last standout star that attracted non rugby fans along was Nick Cummins The Force's recent misfortune started the day he left the side, we're only just recovering Can't help but think the ARU would have thrown more money at him to hang around if he'd been a Waratah

Yet another version. Ive lost count but appreciate the author's tenacity. Unfortunately the dye is already cast and the ARU are not listening to you. They have not listened to any of us for a generation. So there is more damage to come. The likely drop out is the Western Force and there is so much opportunity in that market. Any loss of a team is a backward step. In any event this will not stop the slide in spectators. The game and its rules are plain boring and we can't get them changed. There are no standout stars and EVERY sport needs its stars. However there was a star performance last week by Henry Speight.

Rob Wasn't the media release last week quite specific that the reduction option was subject to shareholders (RU boards etc) review. At the time, it wasn't the Broadcaster that was delaying any release - it was the RU Boards and their memberships. And yet, we still await, with baited breath. Once that review is completed, then the Broadcaster will be advised of the memberships decision. If the RU Boards have approved the reductions, then the Broadcaster will be asked the question, again....."How much for this option?" If there is anyone you are looking to blame for this whole episode, I can assure you, it won't be the Broadcaster. The only concern he will have is whether or not, he is getting "a bargain for his buck". And, its up to Sanzaar to show the Broadcaster, that there is a bargain, in the new option. Its business and every business, wants to make a quick buck but, I don't think that logic, is specific to Australia only - it is a global phenomenon but, you just hope you have a few bullets, when you enter, the negotiations. Anyway, that's my take on how this whole unfortunate episode, has transpired - I wish it could've been better but, it isn't. There's a Maori proverb which typically highlights this scenario that reads "E kore a muri e hokia" which translates as "What's done is done".

IMO, any "problem" is a first world problem. So the draw isn't even...boo hoo, most competitions have inherent unevenness, from travel and schedules to financial resources. The AFL is played in a single country, yet a team like Collingwood only plays 8 of their 22 games away from the MCG and three of those are at Etihad. IMO it is just a lightning rod for the much more embarrassing issue of unevenness between teams. Not that that hasn't always been there - does anyone else remember 2002 when the Bulls only took one bonus point from the whole season - but apparently everyone has bought into the idea that everyone should win all the time. So go for it, make it better, but don't kid yourself that the format or even reducing teams will make any real difference to the development structures that determine the quality of your players. Personally, I think the whole thing reeks of teenage angst. A few pimples, a bit of teasing and the confidence goes, then it becomes obssessive and pretty soon most of the critical voices are internal. Then the picking starts, soon a few pimples become actual permanent scarring, then the dark thoughts start to circle...

And this is nothing new, this unhealthily close relationship with broadcasters inherent in SANZAAR's DNA. The sad fact is, as their position continues to slide, their reliance on media deals intensifies and they will continue to collaborate with broadcasters instead of simply consulting them and broadcast interests will remain priorities 1 to 5 with fans running a distant last. The NRL was held over a barrel for some time but as their position strengthened post Super League they've managed to wrestle back control and tell the broadcasters what they're selling as opposed to the broadcasters telling them. SANZAAR have rarely shown any sort of desire to tread this path and remain miles from a similar position today as the game whimpers along on life support.