A horse walks into a bar, and the barman says, “why the long face?”
I don’t have a new, snappy Super Rugby variation on the classic one-liner, but news coming out of the northern hemisphere on Monday morning, Australian time, proves that everything that’s old is new again.
WalesOnline rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas penned an article that was quickly picked up and distributed by other rugby outlets around the globe, that, “it is understood two more South African sides will enter the PRO14 for the 2019-20 season with another jumping on board for the campaign after.”
“Natal Sharks (sic) are understood to be the first team likely to commit to joining the Cheetahs and Kings in taking on sides from Wales, Ireland and Scotland on a regular basis in domestic competition.
“The Lions and Stormers are the most likely to follow suit, though which of those two would join first is unclear,” Thomas wrote.
It was but the latest iteration of an oft-suggested rumour – which did become reality in 2017, to be fair – and a thought bubble that I would hazard a guess was first discussed on The Roar within the first month of the site’s existence. I’ve been around in these parts for a large chunk of that existence, and it’s been discussed for as long as I can remember.
The inclusion of the Stormers was the most interesting part of this latest iteration, though. At the time, the noise about the Cheetahs and Kings joining the then-PRO12 first surfaced, there were strong whispers that the Sharks were ready to jump, while the Lions and Bulls were also mentioned in dispatches. The inclusion of the Stormers now completes the set of South African teams eyeing an exit to northern hemisphere rugby.
Last September, I was critical of SANZAAR’s lack of response after the Cheetahs and Kings’ move was confirmed and after the Western Force was officially uninvited from Super Rugby; “the response from SANZAAR since that time has been silence. Eardrum bursting, mind blowing, jaw-droppingly frustrating silence,” I wrote at the time, within a suggestion that the time was rapidly coming for Australia and New Zealand to “to force SANZAAR’s Super Rugby hand now”.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Interestingly, in the days after writing that column, I received an email from a SANZAAR spokesperson, reminding me that their phone is always on, and that SANZAAR is not a governing body but instead a joint venture of the South African, New Zealand, Australian, and Argentinean national boards. I had purposely referenced the Australian rugby union and New Zealand Rugby by name in the piece, but clearly it was felt that I was overlooking that detail.
That’s by the by. I made an invitation for SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos to discuss future plans for Super Rugby in my reply to the spokesperson, and that invitation remains open today. My phone’s on, too.
This time around, SANZAAR have at least jumped onto the front foot, issuing a statement mid-morning from their Sydney office, which was also widely reported as a counter to the initial reporting of Steffan Thomas’ scoop.
In referring to a commitment from the four member unions to undergo a strategic planning process – that’d be the one that strategically leaked the USA expansion last week to gauge public sentiment – SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said in the statement, “the member unions have fully committed to the strategy and their future participation.”
“Any talk of a change to the stakeholder relationship and partners withdrawing, creation of new teams in new markets and Trans-Tasman competitions is unsubstantiated speculation and simply wrong.”
It’s certainly speculation, but it’s hardly unsubstantiated. When the Times‘ Mark Palmer first wrote the Cheetahs and Kings were jumping ship to the PRO12, he included details about a new conference system that the new PRO14 competition – lo and behold – ultimately adopted almost to the letter.
And Lions’ President Kevin de Klerk pretty much substantiated the speculation anyway, telling the Daily Telegraph’s Jamie Pandaram in a superb exclusive today that, “from my point of view, I would like to see South Africa remain in Super Rugby, but the European currency is making it difficult.”
(Photo by Gallo Images)
Even if, as Pandaram wrote, the South African sides would be loath to depart before the current broadcasting deal ends in 2020, we can take it as read that they’re absolutely considering their position in Super Rugby before then. The “simply wrong” part of the SANZAAR statement’s days look numbered, too.
So, while so many questions bubble away about the future of Super Rugby, and the South African involvement therein, and what it will look like from 2021 and beyond, I’m going to repeat something that I said back in September.
It was clear back then, and it remains clear now, that Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby must take the lead in the discussions about the future of Super Rugby, because they are the countries with the most to lose from a dissolution of the competition.
If South Africa want out, this needs to be flagged now.
SANZAAR – as the aforementioned joint venture of the South African, New Zealand, Australian, and Argentinean national boards – need to clarify this.
Fans, broadcasters, sponsors, and yes, even players and coaches, need to know what the competition will look like.
We can’t wait until the start of the 2020 season and announce the 2021 TV deal during the finals. This needs to be resolved sooner rather later.
It’s great that SANZAAR tried to get on the front foot with the latest variation of the old line. It’s even great that the old line about South Africa pulling out of Super Rugby is coming out again.
SANZAAR started this “blue sky thinking” – their words, not mine – with the airing of the US expansion concept. They can hardly be surprised if South Africa start airing concepts of their own.
The opportunity for the other three unions to force South Africa’s hand will be in next week’s SANZAAR monthly meeting. I could only speculate on whether a complete admission or a full denial from the SARU would carry more meaning as an outcome.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Brett as you suspected SA will maintain a foot in both camps. Things are moving quickly in South Africa, with the scrapping of International player embargo too. I note that The Saffa teams are selling players to make money, like the FIFA football clubs. Rugby seems to moving to FIFA football business model. I don't think the Saffas will leave the Super tournament, not for a while at least. But this report is interesting. https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/cheetahs-boss-sa-rugby-has-a-future-up-north-20180513-2 An excited Verster said. “The figures are sensitive and confidential, but the money is bigger than Super Rugby’s by a country mile.”
concerned supporter
Guest
Hey TWAS, They removed my comment about you. It was only a cut and paste of other peoples comments from October 2017. It wasn't that bad, was it? You read it, as you replied.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Wow. A bunch of people whinging about somebody who disagrees with them. What's your point exactly?
concerned supporter
Guest
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
- Check. You're a Brumbies fan. - Check. You only joined TWF in September when this all came about to have an echo chamber for your hate. - Check. You peddle hateful bile. And that's exactly why you didn't address anything. You just tried to make a blanket comment it's incorrect. But it's all correct and you can't actually deny any of it.
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, I am not the only person who calls you an ARU shill. Just googled 'ARU shill TWAS', and this is what I got. 'Jeez the lies and deflection and obfuscation by the ARU shill Joel aka TWAS on the roar article has gone off the charts'
Malo
Guest
Maybe there just any overseas gigs, definitely no nrl gigs. Maybe he is a myth.
Faith
Guest
Somehow the professional era of rugby has managed to maintain the 'nationalistic' strengths of SH countries through Super Rugby a regional tournament that is favourable to such orientations. Professional soccer two decades ago managed to do this for countries like Brazil (1980 and 90s teams). Now soccer nations only remain strong if they have strong powerful (read moneyed) local leagues unless there are other factors in play i.e good transitions between club and nation. It is no coincidence that Spain and Germany still have strong national soccer teams because this and their leagues are closely aligned with each other. England's poor national soccer fortunes however shows how this can go wrong. South Africa's changing political, social and economics has had a spill-on effect of first its elite (read white) players leaving and its rugby teams having less loyalty to a new Black nation which has eventually led to 'money being everything' and no one is really to blame. In fact S.A looks to become become the England's soccer failure equaivalent of rugby. Players from S.A will continue to be the best all over Europe with very little national impact or at least not at the level of the past. This change in S.A rugby means that NZ can no longer count on Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship to get its won players at the world beating level and vice versa for S.A rugby. But more importantly this will reduce NZ SR broadcast money for their own players leading to an exodus to the North to get paid. In 10 years what will really matter in rugby is European club rugby with NH fans still able to live out their petty hatreds against England. The days of far more superior rugby between NZ and S.A will only be experienced through re-runs.The best players will not reflect national domination i.e the way Ronaldo is more a Real Madrid star than an important player for Portugal or Messi re: Argentina vs Barcelona. Charles Piutau (one of top 3 best players in the world right now) playing for a lower divison Bristol. For all of us who've followed rugby as a national sport and its epic national rivalry this takes something away from it. Soon all of us will think England playing Ireland is the greatest thing in rugby. That biff and bash is a joke compared to what used to happen when NZ went to Ellis Park 5 years ago. Question is whether RWC will be as big as it has been when it is a rehash of the moneyed North.
Bakkies
Guest
Thanks for the laugh Cameron. That post of yours was so wrong it was funny.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Tell us again about the RFU's 100M GBP profit mate... http://www.englandrugbyfiles.com/annualreport/2017/mobile/index.html This seems to indicate a 7.7M loss though...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
On your response. This is a thread of comments. I have not defended RA in this thread. That is the context of Bakkies' comment.Do you understand how threads work? In general. What relevance is it how many comments I've made? None of that has any bearing on what I've said. I've been a member for 4 years. That's about 12 comments per day. If you didn't hide behind having no account, we could see how many you have made too. I've criticized the ARU at times. In fact I was one of the few who criticized the extension of Cheika's contract at the time for example. I just have repeatedly responded to ludicrous accusations. Am I a defendant of the ARU because when somebody claims Cameron Clyne is paid $700k and I point out it's likely false considering his predecessor was paid $20k? I supposed you wouldn't want any facts that contradict your agenda. Do you think anybody other than your existing Anti-Establishment echo chamber actually read comments like you calling me a shill and see any credibility? And even if I do continuous defend the ARU? So what? You continuously complain about them. All that matters is whether your complaints are correct or not. I'd say you make misleading and deceptive comments but that gives you too much credit. They're more so rambling and pointless.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
If there is a will there is a solution and no walls are high enough to stop a donkey packed with gold from getting over it.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
LOL! You must be living in a parallel universe. Your credibility is long gone hence some pretty blatant lies. That you think your own cherry-picked assumptions are facts do not help your case either.
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS. According to the Roar, you have made more than 17.000 comments since 2014. You have continuously defended the ARU/RA. You know that, and you are the Roar champion on misleading & deceptive comments. You are an ARU/Ra shill.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The ARU essentially report to the States... The States could overturn the ARU board if they chose.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actual no Neutral view. I am pointing out that these solutions people like you spout are what would land England in a similar position to Australia, which is why I'd doubt they see them as solutions. But you just continue spouting completely inaccurate information (Like the RFU's apparent 100M GBP profit that actually wasn't). I'll keep pointing out the actual facts and eroding your credibility.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actually EFF that's exactly it. We don't know. People are determined something is going to happen based on no actual evidence. Which is my point.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
John, Bakkies is just using this whole thing as an excuse to peddle hate. He's not even a Force fan. He's just siding with them because they'll support his hate. He just loves having a sook here because it's not the twf echo chamber where people just agree with his rubbish. Concerned supporter just thinks somebody that shares his biases is smart. The fact he calls Bakkies the most intelligent poster her bar none, despite constantly sharing factually incorrect comments he's called out on shows the credibility of concerned supporter.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Where have I defended RA? I haven't said anything at all about RA, other than that RA got 2 more teams over time. In fact if anything the words "equally culpable" imply some blame to RA.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actually. No. There are not any reports of Quade doing anything.