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It’s hard to decide which are the worst governing body in rugby between World Rugby, Rugby Australia, and SANZAAR as they are all doddering organisations devoid of vision.
But SANZAAR wins by a short head in a photo finish as they are the most incompetent.
When they were SANZAR – South Africa, New Zealand and Australian Rugby – running Super Rugby is was simple with five franchises from each of the three countries in a tournament of 15.
Then came the massive brain explosion of stupidity in 2016 to go global by including the Sunwolves from Japan and the Jaguares from Argentina, to dramatically increase the physical and mental drain on players with a huge increase in flying time.
So SANZAR became SANZAAR to embrace Argentina, and by handing South Africa a sixth franchise, Super Rugby became an unmanageable 18-team tournament for two long years.
Australia and New Zealand retained their five franchises apiece, but South Africa was split into two Conferences of four each with the Sunwolves joining the Stormers, Cheetahs, and Bulls in Conference One, and the Jaguares teaming up with the Lions, Sharks, and Kings in Conference Two.
What an unholy mess, and what did it achieve?
Bloody chaos.
Come 2018, and SANZAAR’s brain explosion of stupidity of 2016 returned in reverse by axing three franchises to return to a 15-team tournament.
Out went the Cheetahs, and Kings from South Africa, plus the Western Force from Australia.
To compound the stupidity the Sunwolves were switched from a South African Conference to Australia to replace the Force, while the Jaguares stayed in South Africa.
So who are these ‘revolutionary’ decision-makers forming SANZAAR?
South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina have two delegates each on the Executive, with Zimbabwe-born Andy Marinos the CEO.
But only two of the nine are former internationals – Agustin Pichot played 71 internationals for the Pumas, Marinos nine for Wales.
The other seven come from all walks of life, ranging from bean counters to social rugby footballers.
How on earth can such an inexperienced amateur rugby group make smart decisions that affect the lives of so many genuine professional footballers?
In my opinion, they haven’t – not by a long shot.
The Sunwolves are a disaster with no hope of ever being competitive.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images for Sunwolves)
In 2016, 2017, and so far in 2018, the Sunwolves have played 37 Super Rugby games for three wins, a draw, and 33 losses.
They have scored 759 points and given up 1592, for a deficit of 833.
And to complete their sorry picture, and the stupidity of their inclusion, the Sunwolves have scored 94 tries, and given up 228, for a deficit of 134.
Their listed roster of 48 boasts only 30 from Japan, with 18 foreigners.
And they are the franchise that cost the Western Force their Super Rugby spot that has caused such devastation in the west.
What a complete shambles!