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It's official: the ex-South African Super Rugby teams, the Kings and the Cheetahs, have been included in the expanded Pro14 in Europe as announced…
Rugby was a far more simple game in the Southern Hemisphere in 1986. Queensland, New South Wales, Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington and Fiji came together…
Gold Coast (576K) have virtually the same population as Tasmania (515K). Tasmania undoubtedly have more AFL fans then the coast. It’s time Tassie got an AFL team.
Where to now? The big questions following the ARU's decision to cut the Force
Gold Coast (576K) have virtually the same population as Tasmania (515K). Tasmania undoubtedly have more AFL fans then the coast. It’s time Tassie got an AFL team.
Where to now? The big questions following the ARU's decision to cut the Force
Why didn’t the ARU set up in Melbourne in 2006 instead of in Perth? Obviously they weren’t thinking about the “market size” then. The fact is that teams can be set up in Alice Springs provided people watch the games on television and the broadcasting revenue (where the bulk of revenue comes from) will be the same for that team as anywhere else.
Where to now? The big questions following the ARU's decision to cut the Force
Thanks for your comment Tutema. To be fair, the inclusion of a second Argentinian team would have been better and made for a more balanced competition than the inclusion of a Japanese team.
I truly believe it will drain the depth of South Africa with the Cheetahs and Kings playing in the Pro14 regardless of where they finished on the Super Rugby table this year and indeed where they would have finished next year if they were still part of the competition. The Kings could have made the finals next year with that team they had this year. Ultimately these players will reach Super Rugby standard but will be playing in another completion. Some of These players will become the best players in South Africa.
But you’re right – let’s see what happens. A national competition in Australia is paramount. We’ve got to take on AFL and NRL too. Australian rugby is surrounded by issues – some of which are out of our control.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
But how do you balance Super Rugby teams when the teams in the competition allow some of their best players to leave their country? Reducing the teams from 18 to 15 certainly makes for a stiffer drink.
In any event, I don’t want to see Super Rugby fail but something isn’t right! It didn’t need to expand to Japan and Argentina. It simply didn’t.
Speaking of a domestic competition, it will certainly provide a more balanced competition that’s for sure – it’s proven at NRC level that anyone can win it. And NRC has been going for three years so that’s three years out of 15 years down.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
Thanks for reading anyway gents.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
It was a fantastic game Spiro. How can it not be with a sold-out Ellis Park! Amazing. I was looking forward to it all week – all season maybe! If Super Rugby does survive, I would favour a shorter competition of 14 games where, as you said, all teams play each other. No divisions and no conferences. I know the Pro14 has split into two conferences after the inclusion of the South African teams which is a shame and some of the supporters are anxious they might not see rivalry fixtures.
The Crusaders and the Lions have saved Super Rugby with a super final
Marius, I hope they are not easybeats for there to be any hope of Super Rugby surviving or at the very least for me to continue to watch the competition. I still don’t see how SA will be providing the VERY best teams for Super Rugby with 46 of their most talented playing in Pro14. They will be diluted – undoubtedly – unless they are sending their fifth and sixth best teams or development squads to the Pro14. I doubt the Kings’ and Cheetahs’ administrators want the leftovers with no disrespect intended to the players chosen. It still leaves me feeling hollow that I won’t be seeing all the absolute best SA players playing Super Rugby. Although let’s face it, we haven’t seen the best from SA for years – they’ve been in Europe and Japan. We haven’t seen the best in Australia either. Let’s all pack up and head north.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
Kane, the thought had crossed my mine. We will see. It is cricket season, that’s for sure.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
My apologies Neil. You are assisting me reach the heights of rugby-writing brilliance. Watch this space. I’m only glad you can’t wrap your fish’n’chips up in my article or use it in the rest room.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
Simple structures are the best Sam. Australian rugby worked fine with existing club competitions which provided pathways for players to play for their state unions in the past.
Further to making our national game strong, I just want to see more rugby on television – Fox or otherwise. Apart from one Test each weekend in June, it was pretty Barron.
Thank goodness for live streams by for example the QRU which streams Premier Grade Rugby which gave me my rugby fix.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
It’s all ok guys! I’m only a rookie.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
David, I agree. It is very important we have an underlying national competition. We need to be the master of our own destiny. The grew up in the club system in Brisbane where I played for 16 years and this system needs to continue to flourish also – in fact it is paramount. Along with all regional competitions. And you know what? Professional rugby will always survive – if I were paid $50K a year, I would play and a lot of players would too.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
Kaiviti, Fiji is very important for Australian rugby and vice versa.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
Trouble ahead Bakkies. Hopefully rugby will be the winner.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
Kerryn, maybe the Western Force or Rebels could meet the teams in Singapore.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
Kerryn, I thought it was a brilliant move by SA rugby. In fact, I thought the Western Force should have considered the move also with the forthcoming introduction of the non-stop Kangaroo route by Qantas from Perth to London.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
A better “product” is what the broadcasters and all stakeholders including supporters were and are seeking as opposed to the watered-down version that currently exists.
If you can point me to an article regarding the Kings squad that would be appreciated. They have less than 4 weeks to put a squad of 23 together if, as you say, they are “scrambling” to get a team together. I’m not sure who the Kings’ squad members have signed with considering there are only 4 other teams to sign with.
Also, when depth is non-existent, reducing teams from 5 to 4 can make a massive difference.
The Kings and the Cheetahs spell trouble for Australian rugby
Rugby will never take Melbourne. Ever. Unfortunately.
Damn you ARU! The wrong team is dead and you know it