Roar Rookie
Joined August 2021
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Back in 1995 under extreme time pressure from the threat of the Super League war, the original professional Super Rugby product, Super 12, was…
Rugby union in Australia is the toughest gig in world sport. The Wallabies used to punch above their weight so often that it unfortunately…
Agree LuckyPhil, Charlie Gamble is definitely unusual, probably because he pretty much had to prove himself from scratch after leaving NZ and we gave him a chance so won his heart. The vast majority of NZ players who come to Aus still want to play for NZ. The AB brand is much stronger than the Wallaby brand. The issue for NZ is more about these players coming here and then staying, raising families and then those families identifying as Aussie and wanting to play for the Wallabies. A problem for the next generation 😊
'It'd be a disaster': Outgoing All Blacks coach clashes with successor as tensions build
I think the AB eligibility topic is getting more seriously considered in NZ now because both world class fly halves (Mo’unga and Barrett) are going overseas so won’t be available for selection next year so this is probably the most exposed the ABs have been when it comes to selecting only local players.
'It'd be a disaster': Outgoing All Blacks coach clashes with successor as tensions build
Agree Megeng, it’s ridiculous to put players in the position where they have to choose between representing their country (which creates fantastic memories for life but doesn’t pay the bills for life) and earning enough in the open market so that they actually do set themselves up for life.
Having said that, the challenge we have in Aus is that rugby is a minor sport even with the current Wallaby eligibility restrictions. If those restrictions were removed then rugby could really be invisible in the local sports market. It’s very different from soccer in countries like Brazil and Belgium where soccer is the #1 code so it still gets media coverage even when the stars are playing overseas, because locals are still passionate about soccer and the local competition is still good enough quality to attract enough eyeballs.
'It'd be a disaster': Outgoing All Blacks coach clashes with successor as tensions build
Yes LuckyPhil, SRP isn’t producing enough great games to watch. There were 2 out of 6 great games this weekend. That’s definitely not good enough. SRP needs to be elite again. It can still happen but needs a lot of work from all angles.
'It'd be a disaster': Outgoing All Blacks coach clashes with successor as tensions build
By the way BR&B, there are a lot more than 6 AB eligible players playing for Australian SR clubs. Besides the 6 you mention, there are also Vaiolini Ekuasi, David Feliuai, Ollie Sapsford, Taleni Seu, Felix Kalapu, etc. But although all these NZ players have made is big difference to their AU teams, they are not currently in the running for the ABs so there would still be plenty of scope to improve the balance between AU and NZ teams if AB players and potentials were allowed to play for AU teams without affecting their AB eligibility.
'It'd be a disaster': Outgoing All Blacks coach clashes with successor as tensions build
Agree BR&B. Ironically, traditional fans (like the majority on the Roar) are also high performance centric, not fan centric. Traditional fans (as well as commentators and journalists) who watch Super Rugby seem to be mainly looking for the players who are worthy of Wallabies or All Black selection, rather than enjoying Super Rugby for the love of the competition itself. Traditional fans think that they represent the majority. That was true 30 years ago. If it is still true today then it is because too many modern fans have disengaged from rugby because it is still too traditional. Traditional fans are not enough to sustain rugby’s future.
'It'd be a disaster': Outgoing All Blacks coach clashes with successor as tensions build
Sure Bliksem, but every team is missing lots of key players. I was just comparing the Highlanders team who played against the Force last week with the Highlanders team who played against the Tahs this week.
'A real grind': Waratahs keep season alive by winning ugly against Highlanders
Jeez, so much misinformation, Crusher and Nat would make great journalists. This is the same quality debate as the code war between V’Landys and McLennan. Just a journalist beat up.
RTS is not a failed super rugby player, he did not walk into the All Blacks, he is not bored in union, the Warriors are not average and the All Blacks are not average.
Why All Blacks should let Tuivasa-Sheck return to Warriors early if not needed for World Cup
Bliksem, Aaron Smith and Fakatava didn’t play against the Force. They are worth more than the 12 point difference between the 2 scorelines. Both games were pretty low quality though. Super Rugby is like 2 competitions – top 5 and bottom 7.
'A real grind': Waratahs keep season alive by winning ugly against Highlanders
Jez, do you really rate Leatigaga? He only got limited time last night but I didn’t see him do anything positive, in fact he looked like a liability.
'A real grind': Waratahs keep season alive by winning ugly against Highlanders
Good on ya Simon, we need determined true believers in rugby 🏉
Note that having a domestic comp in itself is not far fetched. The far fetched part is thinking that it could be a billion $ business, and that MLR could do similar and compete with NFL.
'Not out of the woods': RA promise financial sins of the past won't be repeated despite NRL fixation
Piru, I agree we need to harden up. Player load can be managed by each team based on what the players can handle, rather than have enforced rests being dictated by RA/NZR.
As for why the Super Rugby season is so short, it may be because we wouldn’t be able to find a broadcaster to fund it for longer at a price that still made it worthwhile, e.g. if the competition ran for twice as long, a broadcaster may only offer 20% more. Hopefully one day it will get to the stage where it is a high quality, balanced competition that attracts more eyeballs and broadcasters would be more than happy to pay a lot more (like the way the NRL has expanded).
Enough resting, we're falling asleep: Why Super Rugby teams need to play their stars
Hey Jez, I know your view is different and I respect it. I’d suggest that only players and ex-players would say that being of lower quality isn’t an issue. For fans like me, and I think there are a lot of people like me, quality is the primary issue. If Super Rugby was replaced with NRC then most of my oxygen would divert to higher quality competitions overseas. For example, currently I watch all Super Rugby games and Champions Cup highlights. If Super Rugby was replaced with NRC then I would watch NRC highlights and full Champions Cup games. I’d much rather watch high quality Aussie games if available which is why I support Super Rugby. At the same time, it’s not just about me and I recognise all the problems. Nevertheless I still believe that Super Rugby is the best way forward to achieve a world class competition in this region. I don’t believe that a domestic competition would improve over time and draw fans. It’s a pity we can’t go through a “sliding doors” exercise – try Super Rugby and NRC options for the next 10 years, see which one produces the best outcome, then come back to the present and live it out 😂
'Not out of the woods': RA promise financial sins of the past won't be repeated despite NRL fixation
OK Doc, enjoy the weekend. I’ll be thinking of you when your Reds beat the Force 😂
Enough resting, we're falling asleep: Why Super Rugby teams need to play their stars
I haven’t missed the point Doc, there are lots of “almost nobody”. Not enough I absolutely agree but more than the numbers who would support an NRC.
(By the way, based on all your negative comments I don’t believe you are part of “almost nobody” unless you’re a masochist!)
Enough resting, we're falling asleep: Why Super Rugby teams need to play their stars
Once again Doc, I must represent “almost nobody” which is an improvement on your usual “nobody” 😛
Besides my Tahs game tonight, my most eagerly awaited game this weekend is Chiefs v Crusaders. Wouldn’t miss it for anything. Actually Hurricanes v Brumbies will be great too. At least one of us is in for an enjoyable weekend 😛
Enough resting, we're falling asleep: Why Super Rugby teams need to play their stars
I looked it up again and google tells me it was 21-55.
Enough resting, we're falling asleep: Why Super Rugby teams need to play their stars
Simon, controversial articles get published because they create heaps of discussion. Far fetched articles don’t get published.
I’d suggest the issue goes back to one of your first statements: “would one be interested in watching rugby at competition level at French Top 14 level? This is at a quality of SRP level and is hugely popular.” I absolutely agree with this but therein lies the problem. We are struggling to fill 5 Super Rugby teams with the right quality players so how would we fill 12 domestic teams with the right quality players? A domestic competition would take a generation to reach the same quality as French Top 14, and that’s only if everything fell into place. In the meantime, the domestic competition would be lower quality, in line with the previous NRC, and that would never generate a pile of cash, in fact it would be lucky to break even.
'Not out of the woods': RA promise financial sins of the past won't be repeated despite NRL fixation
Tooly, if the Tah were stronger as you say and still lost 21-55 then what would the score be if Nawaqa, Hooper and Gleeson had played?
Enough resting, we're falling asleep: Why Super Rugby teams need to play their stars
Simon, I love your enthusiasm but with due respect, you’re dreaming. I too wish the dream was true but it’s only a dream. Your comment that MLR could compete with NFL says it all – this is so far fetched you wouldn’t be able to get anyone to make a fantasy movie about it. Sorry, I am usually very open to new ideas but what you’re suggesting, without even seeing the detail (you seem to be assuming that potential market size relates directly to population), won’t happen in the lifetime of this planet. I’d suggest that’s why the Roar hasn’t published your article.
'Not out of the woods': RA promise financial sins of the past won't be repeated despite NRL fixation
Simon, I’m guessing you must be a player or ex-player so have different preferences to me. A domestic competition wouldn’t be high enough quality for me to be interested. When the NRC was on, I watched a few highlights and that was it. Unless you have a miracle idea to attract numerous world class players, I can’t see how a domestic competition can achieve high enough quality to interest me as an avid rugby fan, let alone have popular appeal.
'Not out of the woods': RA promise financial sins of the past won't be repeated despite NRL fixation
Actually PK, there is only 1 bye per team. Rounds 7-9 include only 4 games per week so 4 teams get a bye during each of the 3 weeks.
If resting continues to be seen as important then Super Rugby could include 4 byes per team by repeating the current rounds 7-9 scheduling 3 more times. Then cut out the 3 extra derby rounds that are there as “fillers”. This leaves Super Rugby to run during the same calendar window. It would be less content for Stan but it eliminates low quality games which drag down ratings. The result is a higher quality product that builds better value for the future.
Enough resting, we're falling asleep: Why Super Rugby teams need to play their stars
Simon, anything that will make a pile of cash can’t be controversial unless it’s illegal 😂
A domestic competition would appeal to players, ex-players, family and friends. That’s never going to be enough to make a pile of cash. You need popular appeal to make a pile of cash but a domestic competition will never gain popular appeal.
'Not out of the woods': RA promise financial sins of the past won't be repeated despite NRL fixation
Yes, although the point remains that MP are not representative of a sixth NZ team. If we did have a “real” sixth NZ team, I’m sure NZR would ensure that it was stronger, at least similar strength to the Highlanders.
Anyway, I wonder what the story was with Habosi. He was a crowd and commentator favourite, then suddenly terminated for a breach but we were never given the story. From a rugby point of view, it’s good that he has been picked up overseas.
How Super Rugby was set up to fail from the start
I don’t think you’ll cop it JN, even from a SR lover like me. I haven’t seen the Japanese league this year because Stan stopped broadcasting it but I would hope that SR is still more appealing than the Japanese league!
'It'd be a disaster': Outgoing All Blacks coach clashes with successor as tensions build