Is Rugby really still considered a winter sport? I truly believe there is too much rugby in a calendar year and if the Unions are going to continue with this format I believe Rugby will lose its attraction to the public.
Or should I rather say, some historical Rugby competitions will die.
I already see it on the domestic level in South Africa. The Currie Cup almost has no relevance anymore. You don’t see any Springboks playing in the competition because they will never be released because of Super Rugby and the Rugby Championships. Not even to mention when it is a world cup year.
Fans want to see their heroes playing against each other. The stands are empty throughout the Currie Cup season and only at semi-final stage the fans are gathering for support.
I believe it is because it is normally by the end of the Super Rugby season and some players who didn’t make the Springbok squad get released for those games. It brings new life to the competition again.
That is only to mention the Premier division. You even get the Currie Cup first division where you can hear the grass growing on match days.
Don’t get me wrong. I love watching Rugby every weekend. But I already don’t mind if I miss a game because next weekend I will have a vast selection again.
I feel the Super Rugby season needs to be shortened like when it was still Super 12. Make it an interesting, shorter, powerful international rugby competition again and then get back to the domestic rivalry in the countries.
I believe that is what it is all about, that and then the brutal Test Rugby. You only manage to go to your local Stadium a handful of times in a calendar year because your heroes are always on the road. No wonder the unions are taking a financial knock.
Get the local heroes back on home soil and maybe make some more space for Test rugby where the fans can see their country in action. Get the patriotism back in the game.
What ends up happening is the countries team are taking a backslide because the players are forced to play abroad in other countries competitions like the Pro12, Top14 and the Premiership.
Get the players back in their countries and make rugby exciting again. Leave the world cup and a shortened Super Rugby format for the international rivalry and get the fans back in the stand for some exciting domestic rivalry, and then knock them out with carefully planned Test rugby where they can experience their country’s flag again.
Make it possible again to watch your heroes play in the stadium rather than watching the game in your pajamas in the early morning hours because of the time zone difference. Yes, of course they have to play abroad. But leave it for the minimum.
Chris
Guest
I find my self wishing for the years 1989-1994 for both codes of Rugby.
Bob lane
Guest
I agree. I cannot see why the concept of a 2 tier system is not taken seriously, or even discussed. It solves all super rugby problems, as follows; i. Rugby fans are not fools; they know when their team is not up to A level, but want to see their team compete in a contest where there is some hope of success. And the prospect of promotion or relegation maintains the interest as well. ii. There will not be loss of revenues for B level clubs; because the A level games will draw a large part of their TV audience from B level supporters there will be a logical re-distribution of TV revenue. iii. With two 9 team competitions the super rugby season will be shorter, allowing players to play representative ( club ) footy, thus helping to instill life into the dwindling local derbies, of allowing players to be rested and fit for the Internationals. iv. There will be greater anticipation and excitement levels for all games and the scorelines will be closer. v. Finals will be realistic events with the best teams playing, and not the contrived contests that currently exist. Can someone with authority or knowledge please address this issue, or explain to me what I am missing ??
soapit
Guest
if they squeezed the super crowds into the ground that shute shield is played at the tribalism might seem a bit more intense.
mad mick
Guest
I agree , there is too much rugby and it has lost its sense of occasion. Like many sports including cricket. But the reason is Television content. That is all that is driving it, the money is paid for time on screen. Terrible when you think about it.
DavSA
Guest
And playing rugby in Durban in March.. Pity the players and fans . It don't matter if it is in the evening . Still stifingly hot and humid.
Charlie Lawry
Roar Guru
Makes you wonder who greenlit the expanded Super Rugby format in the first place. Only SANZAAR and those paid to promote it (i.e. broadcasters) had anything positive to say. Fans were off it from the get go. Hopefully the 3 conference / 15 team format breathes some life back in. In Australia, the ARC/NRC isn't engaging enough. And Channel 7 killed the Shute Shield when they took it away from the ABC.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Agree the super season is boringly too long. No tribalism . It's the walking dead. Bring on the Shute shield and tests. The tahs represent the ARU and contract managers. They are elitist snobs just waiting for the internationals to begin. Folau and co don't give a stuff