Nearly two months ago, when Andrew Forrest made his grand on-field entry into the biggest and worst-handled saga to have plagued Australian rugby since professionalism, I wrote in this very column that SANZAAR and the Super Rugby competition were at the crossroads.
The ARU was still battling with which team it could or couldn’t cut, and South Africa were on the verge of playing their long-threatened and oft-hinted card, which ultimately saw the Cheetahs and Kings make their northern hemisphere debut in the now PRO14 competition a fortnight ago.
At the time, there were strong whispers the Sharks might join them, and the Lions and Bulls have been mentioned at different points subsequently, too.
It was becoming increasingly obvious that SANZAAR’s grip on professional provincial rugby in the southern hemisphere, and Super Rugby as the vehicle that drives that, was being heavily eroded.
“As an organisation, SANZAAR needs to give serious consideration as to how Super Rugby looks going forward,” I wrote.
“That was always going to happen heading into negotiations for the broadcast deals from 2021 and beyond, but the Super Rugby landscape is changing so rapidly right now, that those discussions can’t wait that long. If two South African teams are already leaving and a third is giving it serious consideration, how confident can we be that the competition will still have a South African presence come the 2020 season playoffs?”
Quite incredibly, the response from SANZAAR since that time has been silence. Eardrum bursting, mind blowing, jaw-droppingly frustrating silence.
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Not even the confirmation that the competition has now achieved its stated goal of a 15-team competition for 2018 has drawn a response. No ‘best of luck in the north’ to the Cheetahs and Kings, no ‘thanks for your valued contribution’ to the Force. Not a single word.
It’s as incredible as it is dumbfounding.
Meanwhile, the latest development on Forrest’s IndoPac competition front is that the Western Australian billionaire and ARU officials, including chairman Cameron Clyne, met over the weekend, with Wayne Smith in The Australian reporting that a “clear intention that the interests of Australian rugby can be best served by the two parties working together” now exists. This is good news.
The IndoPac plans as announced last week, let’s be honest, has hairs all over it. The devil is in the detail, as the saying goes, but currently, the detail is more than a bit scant.
However, if that planning is now heading toward an IndoPac flavour to an expanded National Rugby Championship, as is being reported, then now we’re actually looking in a direction that is starting to make sense.
And following on from my point late last week, if World Rugby regional development funding can be secured for the Asian and Pacific region involvement – as secured the Fijian Drua’s NRC inclusion – then all the better.
Finally, some serious thought is being given about what direction the game in this part of the world will take.
SANZAAR need to be similarly proactive, and if they won’t take the initiative, then Australia and New Zealand need to force their hand and seek a resolution and vision for the future sooner rather than later.
None of the questions from two months ago have been answered, but the urgency to do so is increasing. And furthermore, the list of questions is growing.
Is Super Rugby in its current form nearing its natural end of life?
Will more South African sides drop out of Super Rugby before the end of this current (new) broadcast deal? Could the Western Force be rapidly reassembled to fill any suck gap?
Does South Africa want to remain in Super Rugby? Why have South African teams now contacted Forrest about his IndoPac competition?
(And on that, how much bigger can the IndoPac footprint become before all the same timezone and disconnection issues that have plagued Super Rugby transfer across?)
How do the broadcasters want the competition to look from 2021?
Will ten teams either side of the Tasman become the foundation for a stream-lined IndoPac-Super Rugby competition?
Does SANZAAR even know what it wants?!?
It’s clear the Australian Rugby Union and New Zealand Rugby must take the lead, because they are the countries with the most to lose from a dissolution of Super Rugby.
Will the NRC in Australia and the NPC in New Zealand be enough to satisfy the provincial rugby appetite locally if Super Rugby falls over? I’m not sure it will.
A franchise competition sitting above the local game will still be required, and what’s more, that is more likely to bring in the sort of traditional and digital broadcast revenue required to keep the best players in this part of the world.
The only thing certain in all this is that the longer SANZAAR sits on its hands and does nothing, the further Super Rugby will sink and significantly more likely leading players will be lost to Europe and Japan.
The silence cannot continue. It’s only the future of the professional game in the south waiting for answers.
Rob9
Roar Guru
It most definitely is your non-existent comprehension skills that aren’t getting you anywhere here Jacko. You’ve gone on to again prove that to a tee. Do you not understand the difference between being ‘critical’ and providing ‘advice’? Did you not read this sentence from my previous reply just above: “In the same reply you’ve gone from suggesting I was giving Tew some ‘advice’, which yes, in a roundabout sort of way I was (it is an opinion site where you give an opinion on what coaches, players administrators should be doing), to then being ‘criticle’ (sic) of the NZRU.” Do you notice the part (let me say it again for the slow one) that says “which yes, in a roundabout sort of way I was”, signifying that yea, I was giving Tew some advice. That same part that makes this from you in your reply look absolutely ridiculous (again): “Is that not giving TEW advice…which you say you want me to point out because YOU dont do this….Well clearly you do eh….” I have asked for where I have been critical of the NZRU which is something you clearly accused me of and something you’re now choosing to ignore. Because it’s something you’ve invented. And again, why on earth is it so inappropriate for an Australian to give some advice to a NZ’lander within the SANZAAR partnership? We have a history of decades of working very closely together that you cannot deny. And I’m sorry but there’s nothing, you, Steve Tew, the mighty NZRU or the nation of New Zealand can do should the SARU decide to withdraw from SANZAAR. So given the unwavering desire of the NZRU to always play SA sides, if it appears that choice could be taken away from them, why wouldn’t the ARU suggest to the NZRU that we should start working together on some contingencies? As mentioned, we have worked together very closely since professionalism and if one of the original SANZAR partners withdraws, I wouldn’t expect the remaining two to also go their own ways as a result. I really fail to see how you can’t comprehend any of this and where this puts a bee under your bonnet. But keep going, it’s becoming quite comical for the rest of us...
Jacko
Guest
Haha the little bro being better than big bro clearly annoys you and it would appear that you have some major issues with this. And there you go being criticle of me again....And also I comprehend very well thanks....You go and read the posts above and if you can say that half them arnt telling NZRU how to run their rugby or how they need to help out Aus rugby ...to their own detriment..then you are not wanting to see the truth.....Aus rugby has NO ONE but itself to blame for having an incompetent coach, incompetitent admin and they have spent almost double per year in administrating it than NZ rugby does.....yet all you guys want NZ rugby to come over to your way of thinking...... Hopefully we have people in Tew’s ear telling him that he better get comfortable with the idea of planning a future that doesn’t involve SA teams and starting to spit ball what that might look like. Read the above few lines from your post.....Is that not giving TEW advice...which you say you want me to point out because YOU dont do this....Well clearly you do eh.... Yet again tho you say its me who struggles with comprehension and then you post that rubbish My advice to you is...LOOSEN THAT GRIP...YOU MAY HURT YOURSELF
Jacko
Guest
Yes Fionn Of course I am....Isnt that what drives pay TV all around the world????? Ex-p-ats -have $$$$ t-o spend just like everyone else....And if the Mitre 10 cup is my spending choice then they get my money.....Just like in Europe..
Muzzo
Guest
Hahaha Billary we possibly would love it!!!! I, like so many other Kiwi's, would love to see the back end of Super Rugby, as it is not that beneficial, to the Nation. Keep the Rugby Champs, in place, & go back to our old structures, as in the North v South clashes, AB trials, the inter provincial, (NPC) tournaments etc, etc, & finally, the good old 25 to 30, match international internal tours, we used to have. We all, know, what revenue they turned over, for the game & the economy. It, wouldn't work??? Yes it would, as if other nations wanted to be the best, then they have to play the best, to which NZ, at present, is.
Derm
Roar Guru
Leinster Rugby, one of the four provinces that play in the PRO14, though probably not known much outside of Ireland but they've been relatively successful as a team and even had Brian O'Driscoll, the Ireland player who got accidentally injured in a New Zealand match one time back in the noughties , playing for them, landed in Johannesburg yesterday and will be training there before heading to Port Elizabeth to play the Southern Kings on Saturday and then moving to Cape Town for a few days before heading to Bloemfontein to play Cheetahs on the Friday and then head home. That will be their long distance travelling done until next season. Meanwhile, two French teams face the somewhat more unpleasant task of travelling to the well-known city of Krasnoyarsk in Siberia during Oct and December to play a match in temps of minus 15-20 degrees against the perennially and wonderfully stubborn Enesei STM rugby team who keep qualifying for the Challenge Cup each year. Connacht Rugby had a somewhat famous trip there in 2015. Others have followed in their stead since then. So a trip to a sunny or even moderately warm South Africa is a blessing in comparison.
Killaku
Guest
How come every game of the Npc is live and your Nrc is shown a couple of games?Because among those 650,000 Kiwis living here,There is a big following and i know alot of Aussies that are supporting some teams and find the rugby is better to watch and dont know what the Nrc is.
Fionn
Guest
'Indisputable facts shouldn't be red clarification'. Weird logic. Besides, it only needs clarification for you, Comprehensionman. Comprehensionman, I've never once complained about you having a different opinion. I think anyone who believes that NZ can go it alone against the might of the NH is either living in fantasy land or wilfully blind, and I have the right to point out where you make assertions based on dubious beliefs (most of your posts). No, I take issue with condescension towards all things in-NZ, and your inability to actually discuss issues in a logical fashion.
Taylorman
Guest
Digging a deeper hole. Indisputable facts shouldnt need clarification. You have a completely new no. 1 now. Now, apparently it isnt the same people and the population isnt the same. Veeeeery different from indisputable fact no. 1 version 1. With 4 you are bringing in new information about the present, that wasnt there in indisputable fact no. 4 earlier. Yes we know the NH pay higher salaries. But that is a far cry from making a theory a fact. The truth is, you have no idea what will happen. Youve spent endless posts trying to convince people of things that havent happened yet to the extent that you think theyre naive if they arent thinking the way you are. And whats odd is you think thats ok. You think youre right, I think youre wrong. Thats it. Or are you somehow going to prove the future?
Fionn
Guest
Okay, Logicman, 1. It isn't poorly worded, Comprehensionman. New Zealand has a population of 4.8 million according to the New Zealand population clock, whereas Sydney has a population of over 5 milllion according to the ABS. 2. No, it is a fact that New Zealand doesn't have the population or economy to compete with the NH. It is a theory of mine that that will result in more players leaving. This is an opinion you can disagree with. However, it is a fact that the NH generates far more rugby revenue to pay salaries than NH.
Taylorman
Guest
Once again, your logic lessons have let you down. As an Indisputable fact, number 1 is extremely poorly worded. 1. Does NZ actually have the Sydney population? The same people in two places? Or are you saying the numbers are same? Exactly? Id dispute that as a fact. 4 is not a fact, it is a theory, not an undisputable fact. For example, if NZ were to go it alone, then the world blew up completely....Youd be wrong. Very wrong. For one who regularly suggests Logic school to others Id say youre a few classes behind yourself so next time you want to specify a list of indisputable facts...(get the diploma first). ?
Taylorman
Guest
Hmm....ummm...hmmm....nah?
Fionn
Guest
Never said anything about NZs selection policy. You're entitled to your opinions, but these are indisputable facts. 1. New Zealand has the population of Sydney 2. New Zealand has a smaller economy than Sydney 3. The NH is already starting to take more and better NZ players despite the Super Rugby revenue (market of NZ + Aus + SA) 4. If New Zealand goes it alone it doesn't have the economy or population to compete with the NH by itself, but will be less behind if it massively increases its market with Aus You can give as many opinions as you'd like, and you're wrong saying I don't think anyone is entitled to an opinion, but you're not entitled to your own facts. The above facts are indisputable.
Fionn
Guest
No, Taylorman, you show an inability to engage in actual discussion. You make illlgocal comments and either are unable to comprehend or choose not to comprehend what people actually write. I may not agree with Jacko, but at least he bothers to read, comprehend and reply so it's possible to have a reasonable discussion with him.
Fionn
Guest
You're a part of the New Zealand diaspora, Jacko...
Rob9
Roar Guru
All I can do is refer you to my original advice: get a grip. And further to that, stop putting words in my mouth that were never there. It’s clear for all and sundry to see here, you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about as you can’t even comprehend what is being put in front of you. In the same reply I’ve gone from suggesting I was giving Tew some ‘advice’, which yes, in a roundabout sort of way I was (it is an opinion site where you give an opinion on what coaches, players administrators should be doing), to then being ‘criticle’ (sic) of the NZRU. Please point where I’ve been critical of them Jacko? The ARU, absolutely. But all I’ve done as far as the NZRU’s concerned is suggest how the ARU should be working with the NZRU, which as SANZAAR partners (NEWSFLASH coming!!!) is what they do! Work together for the common good of the game in both countries. Why aren’t I entitled to an opinion on that Jacko? Why on earth does this rub you the wrong way?? Again, I put it down to that serious case of little brother bitterness you so clearly exhibit.
Taylorman
Guest
No Fionn they leave because they can be paid more overseas. So wrong again. If they were paid the same or more here theres no way they would want to play in Europe, in second rate comps, away from family and friends, All Blacks or not. And yes it would be second, or third, rate if all our players were playing Super rugby here. The NH club scene would pale against our Super squads if the hundred plus players were fighting for spots here. So our clubs have to fight to compete as well. They dont want players like Cruden to go, but the cant afford him, so they shop for whatever they can get, just like the NH clubs. And you call them dispicable for having the guts of their teams ripped out every year, players that they have invested years in, for appealing to one player in Oz. Again, No idea. Double standards at its best. And youre saying NZ cant have it both ways? Say whaaaaat? You argue on and on its a given that our players get bought overseas yet we shouldnt do the same? Logic school for you chump.?
Rob9
Roar Guru
Jacko, I’m not disputing facts where your son is concerned, nor do I have any interest in where he was born and lives. You said Dustin Martin is a Kiwi, I’m disputing that. He may well have New Zealand citizenship (something you are clearly unsure of yourself), but as someone who was born here to an Australian mother and has only ever lived here I would be a. surprised if he wasn’t an Australian citizen and b. shocked if he didn’t count himself as an Australian over his status as a Kiwi given what the actual facts are. Your ramblings on New Zealand born NRL players are near impossible to make sense of. Simply post the link and I can decipher it myself. In any event, inferring that the NRL is or will become dominated by New Zealand talent is misguided.
Jacko
Guest
Thats the problem Rob...You say Tew should pre-empting some stuff...How do you know that TEW isnt already on top of all these issues....Thats my whole point...All this "NZ must act" advice coming from Australians.....TEW and ALL administrators before him have done NZ rugby very well...Why should they stop there own line of thiught and go with yours...or Funbus or Bakkies or Neutrals....Its BS and you rubbish me for defending your critisisium...Stop being criticle and I stop firing back...
Jacko
Guest
Taumalolo...Kiwi Dustin Martin...Kiwi Whats Cronk got to do with it...Also you dont play NZ in the NRL....You play an Auckland domestic team...Facts eh.....Get yours right please and you really should learn about the imigration laws in your own country...And if you go on the " Am I an NZ citizen web site you will be asked 1 question...Was my father or Mother born in NZ...If YES then you are an NZ citizen...FACTS
Jacko
Guest
Rob my son was born in Aus...Has lived in Aus all his life and is not an Aus citizen....You are preaching to me that you want facts...Well thems the facts...He was elledgible to be an Aus citizen when he turned 18 but as he said...Why bother.... On the NRL thing there is over 100 NZ born players in the comp....Stuff.co has an article...and that is not counting the many born in Aus who were not allowed to be Aus citizens....It appears I sliggtly exagerated as the stats say 32% elledgable for NZ...8% for other countries including England and 60% Aus...15 years ago it was half that...What happens in 15 years eh