Thought Tahs were muscular but think they won off only 40% of the ball – not to sure how many other teams will give that much leeway. Highlanders have looked good but do wonder if they will be able to match the physicality of the Tahs given they are such a young team.

One thing I would be doing if I was the Tahs and that would be keeping a very close watch on Fakatava – he looks in screaming hot form – at this moment looks like he and Roigard will be the 2 AB 9’s.

Reds scrum was on skates vs not a super strong Hurricanes pack – think if the Chiefs play like they did against the Brumbies, could put a bit of a score on the Reds.

Yip – Taha Kemara has had massive wraps on him but to be honest thought he looked OK at U20 level and not a stand out at ITM cup level.

But far better judges than me are saying he is the next big thing but yet to see that myself.

The amount of youngsters running around now in both Oz and NZ teams really highlights the hollowing out of those mid tier players who were not international quality but very good Super level players.

Guess it’s the reality that we have to accept now that in large part whereas couple years ago – players were developed and matured in an ITM cup level comp, they are now learning on the job at Super level.

Anyone who thinks NZ is chock full of playmaking talent need to look at Highlanders and Crusaders.

Two 20 years running the Crusaders around and who looked just way out of their depth at this level and then Highlanders made the smartest buy of the season by bringing in Rhys Patchell to allow their playmaking U20’s star’s to mature.

Obviously they have the talent but to throw them in at the deep end is what it is – not great really.

On the other hand – how long has it being since NZ has had this amount of depth at Half-back? Roigard, Fakatava, Ratima, Roe, Holtham – thought Roigard in particular was much better than Tate M – so that should set things up nicely for the coming international season!

Two issues for Oz rugby

1. Firstly I don’t think it has the strength/depth required for 5 teams – though looking at last season you could question if NZ do as well when you look at the Highlanders.

Then the big one

2. Income – Oz rugby mainly via the Stan deal does not generate enough cash to be able to support 5 Super level clubs. Bar Qld and Force (Forrest cash) , the remaining 3 sides are either losing money or right on the edge (Brumbies).

If the TV rights deal was healthy then this would have given RA and the Clubs the $$ to be able to pay and retain the players that they need to, to ensure competitive teams.

The Stan deal however was just enough to keep the lights on but nothing else. If Oz do want to retain 5 teams – it needs the next TV contract to be increased big time.

I do wonder why RA has not approached Stan and asked them to up the contract? I mean Stan caught RA at a bad time and was able to low ball them but the reality is that Stan needs RA as much as RA needs Stan.

Comp needs the Reds and Brumbies to win vs. Hurricanes and Chiefs.

Playing in Oz with crowd behind them and a new Wallabies coach in the stands watching not sure how much more motovation they need.

Chiefs have lost a fair few key players – Sam Cane, Retallick, Sowakula, Weber and Nankivell – all starters last year. So if Brumbies can’t beat Chiefs – where does that leave them?

Then Hurricanes – Lost both Savea’s and Dane Coles. Pretty hard to replace Ardie so Reds should be going in and expecting to dominate in the loose forwards. Given all 3 Reds have played for the Wallabies – expectation is that they should dominate and then win.

Half the issue I think is that some of the Oz teams go in questioning if they can win – when reality is the Kiwi teams are good but they are not supermen and teams packed full of Wallabies should expect to win not hope to win.

Like the Highlanders back 3 – very tasty.

Course the Blues are not exactly missing class in their back 3 either!

Yea good point – again their squad is so packed it’s crazy really.

Only reason I don’t think they will win the comp this year is that they are lacking a WC 10 to direct the team around – but could be very easily shown to be wrong.

Don’t think so – Kemara at 10 is a youngster with talent but is very young and think can be put off his game.

That being said – Crusaders are again packed and still missing a couple of AB’s in Williams and Taylor.

Jags were in the Super Rugby final in 2019 – so they are a quality team and can bring something to the comp.

What is pretty apparent and even over the last weekend is that it’s very questionable if Oz has the player base to be able to support even 4 Super level sides.

If they can make the costs (flights etc) work – love to see it happen

Really need the Brumbies to beat the Chiefs this weekend otherwise could be a tough season for Oz fans.

Personally I thought the Rebels could challenge this season given the players that they have picked up – but after watching them on Friday and how easily Brumbies cut through them, won’t be tipping them again!

That lump sum you are complaining about is what is used to pay the players…

AR and Clubs can have a discussion group over who exactly is to blame for lack of crowds – either way if effects both the bottom line in regards income and then shows a lack of interest into the comp.

Again if no one is prepared to turn up to support the team, will be very hard to get RA to be able to justify (though think they want the Rebels and another club gone) continued support.

Pretty disappointing but no surprise I guess.

Guess they need this Super Rugby board up and running ASAP to give some direction to a comp which really needs it. Given state of the game real head scratcher why Hamish M and board appeared to drag their heels over making necessary appt’s.

For me – Rebels and Force were poor, Brumbies will again challenge and Highlanders will throw up some surprises. Chiefs/Crusaders/Hurricanes no suprise and guess litmus test for Reds will be this weeks game.

Must say pretty disappointing crowd for Rebels – I know that tickets were on sale late but if given the news and such a little number of fans rock up, pretty hard to see how given their debt situation RA will be able to continue to support them.

Makes one worried as well about fan numbers this weekend in Melbourne – Comp needs some decent crowds in Melbourne to showcase the game.

Maybe you need to consider the average crowd….

Real question is why would you compare vs Wellington, when the reality is that you need to consider vs. Melbourne, Perth and Western Sydney on commerical imperatives.

Reality is that highlighting NZ Locations is meaningless, when reality is that in this dicussion they are not exactly compteting to host an Oz franchise.

If as appears Oz Super has to shrink – because both for commerical and depth issues think simple question is can you afford to carry a side in a small city like Canberra?

Brumbies are a fantastic team and indeed could go all the way this year, but the market they operate in is very small and they get small crowds.

If RA does decide to drop to 3 teams – think the key question is around the commerical aspect not the rugby.

Perth clearly can get big crowds and can generate good sponsorship dollars – so where does it make sense to place that 3rd team?

I mean RA would need to balance the decision around your points regards rugby but then as Professional rugby is first and foremost a business now – work out commerically what is best for the code.

Might be that the likes of Stan would tell RA that 3rd side needs to be on the east coast (Canberra/Melbourne) due to Time Zone, but they need to decide what works best both commerically and Rugby wise for Oz.

Surprised at how poor the Force were.

When you look at the Kiwi Retirees picking up a pay-check as they can’t get a gig in NZ sides, shouldn’t be surprised I guess.

Then watching how poor the Rebels were, pretty clear that Australia really only have the player resources to have 3 Super sides.

Rebels are clearly gone and guess the next big question (and per articles in The Australian) – which is the next team to go – Force or Brumbies?

Bumbies are a fantastic side but Force appear to have a geninue fan-base and even though terrible time zone for people in NZ/East Coast – could if populated with some quality Super/International players could turn into a Super Rugby powerhouse.

Terrible for the staff involved.

Get the feeling that RA is hanging on by their finger nails really. Just have to hope and pray that the Lions and then the WC enrich RA – or at least enable them to be able to meet all their debts.

When you look at this news and then consider Joseph S. was hired at 1.6 million a year/DR given circa million for garden leave – I mean what was going on within RA last year -it seems they literally just p***** money away?

I mean tough times need tight fiscal mgmt – something we are not exactly seeing in RA etc.

Couple of years ago in the pristine days of yesteryear yea taking PE is not great.

But we live in the real world where NZ can’t competete with overseas salaries and we are effectively an Oil well to be milked dry by World Rugby for our players.

I like the fact that NZRFU is taking proactive steps to maximize income for NZ including taking on PE and then growing it’s international footprint to build out the AB and NZ Rugby brand.

Reality is that NZ is a market of 5.3 million people with a small economy and limited means to grow income to ensure that we can at least retain the game or further grow the game further in NZ.

I mean given the current market/geographical location/size etc – what alternatives does NZ rugby actually have?

Yip, in today’s world people love to get the pitch-fork out and do a bit of public hanging – alway’s wonder if those who scream the loudest have ever reflected on their own lives etc.

Also purely on rugby reasons – yip K Beale should depart these shores and build up his retirement fund in Japan and/or US – where lot of Kiwi/Oz older players appear to be heading.

What it is is tasteless and not exactly classy.

Again I judge players by their play and not by their morals.

So you want to judge people want they do in the bedroom now?

If you want to exile every adulterer who get’s up to non criminal mischief from Rugby, gonna be a pretty long list.

Don’t think that’s a very fair comment

Per the Sydney Morning Herald:

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated for about an hour on Friday afternoon before returning with verdicts of not guilty to all charges

I’m no fan of Kurtley Beale – but if a jury with 7 women takes “about” an hour to decide he is innocent – pretty clear very questionable if he should have being charged in the first place.

Any business pitching for $$ is going to ask how can we maximize our value and that would include what type of comp structure the likes of Stan/Foxtel want.

So remember that it’s not just RA talking to Foxtel/Stan but also Foxtel/Stan talking to RA about what type of comp they want to televise.

Remembering that it’s in the best interest’s of Stan/Foxtel to have the best comp to maximize what they want – paying viewers who generate income and profits.

That no party has come out and suggested a NRC, Super Rugby Oz, any/all new different comp structure – I think is pretty telling.

I mean fundamentally I just don’t see how an organization in the financial position that is RA, can discard something that it has invested for years and that generates income for what is effectively a punt on a new comp and hopping and praying that fans will take a liking to.

It would be effectively like RA going into a Casino and betting everything on black…

You don’t think when RA was negotiating with Stan/Foxtel they weren’t throwing ideas like an Oz only Super comp, greater NRC etc at them to see if there was any interest/someone prepared to fund it?

RA does not love Super Rugby and with good reason. However unless they can find a pot of gold somewhere and a Media Company prepared to fork out serious dollars to televise it – RA is locked into Super Rugby.

And then in regards pathways – do you really think the cream of Aussie Rugby talent is going to hang around and play in a semi professional comp vs. departing for NZ, Europe or the NRL?

Let’s say you have a talented 17 year old looking to build a career – why on earth would he pick a semi pro comp that is of low quality vs. any of the above locations/comps?

I mean it’s great to have mutiple ideas around best structure etc – but the only reason I think Oz is playing Super Rugby is because RA could not find any interest in any alternative that they offered the powers that be – Stan/Foxtel etc.

You just have to recall how much Hamish M. hated having to deal with NZ Rugby and not know that if he could have identifed a real opportunity/alternative to the present structure he would have dropped Super so fast whist giving the finger to the NZRFU!

So the answer is to set up a comp with no guarantee of success and after seeing what a success it is/will be – someone will pitch in millions to fund it?

I mean how exactly does a heavily indebted organization give up the main source of it’s funding – current TV rights, set up a new comp from scratch whilst bleeding cash?

How long do you think the Bankers would be happy to continue to extend the 80 million credit facility to RA if it loses it’s main source of funding?

I mean Field of Dreams was a Movie not reality. If you build it – what happens if they don’t come?