SANZAAR’s contempt for the second tier bites them back

It was disbanded because the players didn't want the concept to continue. And its strength came from fielding players who were eligible for the ABs like Sivivatu.

the real issue why proper development in any country whether tier 1 or 2 is money. NZ has invested in the All Blacks. I live in Gisborne and have it on good authority that sightings of Rugby Development Managers here are as rare as rocking horse s@#$t. So their commitment to grass roots is lip service, at best. It has been a steady decline, we had a 3 tier NPC, now there is just NPC and Heartland. Also NZRU wants to lose the wages bill for NPC and make it it semi pro. Club rugby is in tatters, which leads to poorer rep teams in Heartland. Internationally we we need to invest in the Islands, meaningful competitions for players. I cant see how they will stop the European exodus, but we know there is a lot of talent that needs nurturing. I see no reason that between the NPC and NRC meaningful competitions could be created, it could be tiered with promotion/relegation games. I remember the excitement they used to create along with the winners playoffs. In the Pacific you could have another comp, why not include a Maori team eligible for those of Maori heritage despite nationality, mor players exposed and developed.

Is this phil kearns

Not so much left to whither as abandoned by the new govt and a large percentage of the people for its close association with the overthrown regime. I know its popular doctrine that everything is our fault but maybe in this case not so much.

Are you not aware that there are different solutions on how to solve a global season? But both camps refuse to compromise. Real suggestions that connect with reality are needed to help the PI. This 6N and WR bashing are just futile and pointless.

Who blocked the global season? Was it the Sanzaar teams? Discuss solutions that are real? The Nations Cup and Global Season are absolutely real solutions, or are they deemed fake because they don't suit the 6N agenda?

We talked about who blocked a global season, not the Nations Cup. But nice try, Kane. Again, guys just like you refuse to discuss solutions that are real. Your brotherly love for the Islands is just lip service.

As a self proclaimed ‘neutral view’ enlighten me on who blocked the Nations Cup as supposedly it’s pretty obvious? Do you think only the neighbouring countries should be funding it? Is that why Georgia isn’t included in the 6N because none of the 6N want to help fund them? Or should WR chip in to help them out?

Know very little about Georgia but did know that Stalin was from there.. They are due to tour South Africa to play the Boks next year so guess we will be finding out much more about them..

An excellent article. Ever since the advent of professionalism, the number of PI Test players playing in Super Rugby is almost negligible thanks mostly to the restrictions and eligibility rules against foreign players in Aus/NZ super rugby sides. Where else do we think the highly skilled and talented players will look to ply their trade? Obviously with professional clubs in the 6N countries who have opened the doors of opportunity for them. The very same players are regular majority selections for their respective countries in the annual Test calendars and World Cup tournaments. Also since professionalism, PI countries have played more tests against the 6N than their local neighbours. Annual European November Tours are a common feature every non-World Cup year for PI countries thanks to World Rugby funding. Despite a very short flight away (even shorter than internal domestic flights), when was the last tour to Fiji by the Wallabies or All Blacks ....well probably was way back before the internet was born. The All Blacks only recently toured Samoa in 2015, and while the match was competitive and successful, it came at a huge financial loss to the Samoans and most certainly would not have been a charity match for the All Blacks. The phrase "Never bite the Hand that feeds you" rings true and unsurprising for those Tier 2 nations support for Bill.

In 1996 SANZAR had a great product, but like RA , over the years through bad management, that product was never developed in the right way . Lazy management, self interest, the product became outdated , biased n in SR case a joke of a competition.

The Fijian Drua in the NRC were funded by World Rugby...not SAANZAR https://www.world.rugby/news/377387?lang=en

I don't think SANZAAR nations is a good catch all for this point. If you read the article, there's no mention of what SA and Argentina are or aren't doing to help their regions. It's mostly about the Pacific Island nations, which is more of an Australia / NZ issue. Now, if the writer of this piece wants to make an argument that SA should have done more to improve the development of African nations, that's a point that's worth discussing (I don't know enough to opine about it, but it's interesting enough). As to Argentina,they're definitely the cornerstone of development in South America. Ironically, the marquee development in South America was the development of the South American professional league, which managed to get two weeks in before COVID-19 hit.... but which included one team each from Brasil, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay (as well as an Argentinean side which looked ike it was going to run away with the title).

The situation in the islands are complex and offering simple one dimension solutions do not help. Playing more tests in the islands might help but does it really help long term to have the All Blacks play at Teufaiva Park against a hastily assembled Tongan team. Rugby championship nations playing tests in the islands is not the first solution. World Rugby needs to prioritize governance of the game in the islands. They have been doing this for a few years now in Fiji and the results are beginning to show in both the XV's and 7s. The island economies are simply to small compared to Argentina, Japan etc. So they cannot be put in the same basket. While much more can be done, World Rugby is doing some good things in Fiji. Allowing Fiji and Samoa full voting rights on the council was a good start. God willing Tonga will follow soon. Providing funds (and demanding transperrancy & accountability) to attract good administrators has greatly effected the overall game in Fiji. Vern Cotter accepting the coaching job in Fiji is further evidence of this confidence in the system. Building slowly from the ground up is way better then merely flying in the all blacks or wallabies for one off tests.

How much do you know of the Georgian economy? Do you know who is the most famous Georgian? Uncle Josef!

Kiwis just don't like to talk about what can be done to help PI rugby unless 6N or WR bankrolls it... And seriously, who shot down the global season depends on who you ask. Pretty obvious to any observer without a bias

France has three academies in Fiji for their own benefit not Fiji’s!

Thinking globally is not what the home nations do best mate. The Nations Cup came from a Sanzaar country, shot down by the 6N. The global season another Sanzaar idea, shot down by the 6N. So who exactly is thinking global?

Good question! :thumbup:

Okay... The fact that it is a bit closer to the Tasman region and that you like to claim that PI nations are your brothers should just be neglected? And the hard fact remains, The 6N has been there more often. Spin it any way you want. Remarkable how NZR has brainwashed the Kiwi rugby public into thinking they are trying everything to help the Island, but those evil NH boys stop us. Wake up, smell the coffee, show real brotherhood, find solutions, think global, and act locally. Enough with the excuses.