Is Super Rugby getting "watered down"?
I ask this question upon hearing that the much maligned Southern Kings, a Rugby franchise based in Eastern Cape, South Africa, has been granted provisional entrance into the 2013 addition of the Super Rugby tournament. The Southern Kings will be based around South African provincial sides that do not even play in our top flight division, the Currie Cup.
Now, I am South African and embarrassingly, a Lions fan, and I’ll be the first to admit that the Lions are not Super Rugby material and have become a joke. And after looking promising, the loss of their Wallabies has turned the Western Force into a basement team. And then New Zealand has the Highlanders. They are much better than the Lions but for years now, they have literally been "champions of the basement", beating out the Lions, Reds and Cheetahs. And, besides the Lions and the impending arrival of the Kings, Australia has their Melbourne franchise coming in. The alarming thing about the Melbourne franchise is, is that they have been heavily recruiting South African talent to bolster their ranks, proving that Australia lacks the depth to front more than 3 competitive Union sides while facing competition from League and Aussie Rules.
So, by expanding within the SANZAR nations, do you think Super Rugby is getting watered down as non of the expansion teams have actually made any impact nor do they look like it? And is it time the SANZAR boys start looking at inviting franchises/teams from outside of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia?
yes. But you’re being short-sighted here. The extra franchises will develop talent and it will lead to growth of the game in Oz, I hope.
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A couple of other things to consider.
1. What would be a viable option outside of the SANZAR trio to base a Super-whatever franchise? A Pacific Island team has been tried a couple of times and always failed. Not surprising — they simply don’t have the population base, infrastructure or GDP to support a team. I don’t think that Japan (as yet) is a serious option.
The Super-15 right now already has horrific problems caused by the travel distances, time changes and associated jet lag. It is so bad that not so long ago the South African teams were seriously exploring the option of joining an enlarged Magners League. The travel distances would be no worse, and at least they are in the same time zones.
It didn’t happen, but it still leaves the question — where could a team based outside of Australia/South Africa/New Zealand possibly be based. Quick answer — nowhere.
2. On a more positive note, remember — there is soon going to be an influx of quality Argentinian players into the Super Rugby franchises when that country joins the tri-nations competition. This will be a rising tide which will lift all the boats/teams. Possibly enough players to support one or two new franchises with no reduction in quality.
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Short answer yes. Not one country currently could do another franchise justice. The Melbourne team is going to severely dent any chance any team from Aussie ever winning the competition again. NZ and SA could field another team IF they could keep the wolves from the north pinching our players but unless some Russian billionaire pumps massive money into our game that will not happen.
The problem that NZ and SA have is the good players want to play in the good teams. Look at the players the Bulls and Crusaders have got if their depth was shared around a little would the Highlanders and Lions be so pathetic ? This is only going to get worse in NZ with Dagg and Thomson wanting to leave the Highlanders for the Crusaders
The only option for expansion is a rich team that could attract Northern Hemisphere players….. Japan is the only option but with the extra travel and greed of the SA and Aus boards do not hold your breath.
ps The Stagg i have just watched an interview with Pieter De Villiers he really is a complete idiot. Apparently now SA lost in NZ because the world cup organisers have got in the ear of the refs to help NZ out. Dubious reffing is one thing a conspiracy is another sack the side show clown before you guys regret it.
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Possibly in the short term, but I think it’s necessary to expand for long term growth. There may be some silliness in the next few years, but we need to do something to stop our talent all heading North for the big bucks. Extra Super spots to play for and a chance to show the national selectors your stuff could be one of the things that keeps young talent here in the south.
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yes. But you’re being short-sighted here. The extra franchises will develop talent and it will lead to growth of the game in Oz, I hope.
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July 28th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
The only country capable of fielding an extra side is NZ. Take a look at the worst side of South Africa, the Lions. They are an absolute disgrace and a joke. In contrast the worst in NZ is Otago and they are capable of beating anyone on their day at home.
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