Comments on: SA Rugby has messed up http://www.sportsleader.co.za/adamwakefield/2009/09/11/synical-sam-is-always-right-where-super-rugby-is-concerned/ Thu, 17 May 2012 11:49:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Adam Wakefield http://www.sportsleader.co.za/adamwakefield/2009/09/11/synical-sam-is-always-right-where-super-rugby-is-concerned/#comment-6863 Adam Wakefield Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:47:25 +0000 http://www.sportsleader.co.za/adamwakefield/2009/09/11/synical-sam-is-always-right-where-super-rugby-is-concerned/#comment-6863 Thanks for the comments guys. Well, in the interest of fairness, Australia isn't the worst choice for the fifth franchise but what irked me was that the deal was struck which almost inevitably left it to be that way. While John O'Neil isn't my favourite administrator, he should be given credit for showing the ruthlessness needed to try and expand rugby union in a country with so many diffent codes. We shall wait and see what Melbourne will dish up... On Geejay's point, I think you are valid in your assertion, as SA Rugby could very well be putting the cart before the horse if we were allocated the 5th franchise since the Lions and Cheetahs, and to a lesser extent the Stormers (who continually flatter to deceive) haven't given the competition full value over the last two years. Still, an opportunity missed I would say. Keep the comments coming... Thanks for the comments guys.

Well, in the interest of fairness, Australia isn’t the worst choice for the fifth franchise but what irked me was that the deal was struck which almost inevitably left it to be that way. While John O’Neil isn’t my favourite administrator, he should be given credit for showing the ruthlessness needed to try and expand rugby union in a country with so many diffent codes. We shall wait and see what Melbourne will dish up…

On Geejay’s point, I think you are valid in your assertion, as SA Rugby could very well be putting the cart before the horse if we were allocated the 5th franchise since the Lions and Cheetahs, and to a lesser extent the Stormers (who continually flatter to deceive) haven’t given the competition full value over the last two years.

Still, an opportunity missed I would say. Keep the comments coming…

(Report abuse)

]]> By: Geejay http://www.sportsleader.co.za/adamwakefield/2009/09/11/synical-sam-is-always-right-where-super-rugby-is-concerned/#comment-6857 Geejay Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:40:40 +0000 http://www.sportsleader.co.za/adamwakefield/2009/09/11/synical-sam-is-always-right-where-super-rugby-is-concerned/#comment-6857 I really don't know what all the fuss is about. The problem with the short sightedness of the SA rugby admin boys is that if they wanted to be taken seriously in this competition they should have ensured that our current home teams get a better spread of the top payers. We currently field five teams in the Super 14 and of these five we have one or two who account well for themsleves in the competition. What we firstly need to do is ensure that we do not have any of our teams sitting outside the top ten position and at least two or three making the top 5 every year. Any Super 14 player should not be allowed to play Currie cup or Vodacom cup, that way we get to bring the talent that SA has to the fore of the game and creating a proper breading ground for future super 14 and and Springbok teams. This will also offer the Admin boys the opportunity of increasing the number of black players playing in the Vodacom and Currie Cup which inturn will create more interest and a larger audience, Stop talking about fielding more super 14 teams and lets get going with what we have to make sure our youngsters all get a fair shake. I really don’t know what all the fuss is about. The problem with the short sightedness of the SA rugby admin boys is that if they wanted to be taken seriously in this competition they should have ensured that our current home teams get a better spread of the top payers. We currently field five teams in the Super 14 and of these five we have one or two who account well for themsleves in the competition. What we firstly need to do is ensure that we do not have any of our teams sitting outside the top ten position and at least two or three making the top 5 every year. Any Super 14 player should not be allowed to play Currie cup or Vodacom cup, that way we get to bring the talent that SA has to the fore of the game and creating a proper breading ground for future super 14 and and Springbok teams. This will also offer the Admin boys the opportunity of increasing the number of black players playing in the Vodacom and Currie Cup which inturn will create more interest and a larger audience, Stop talking about fielding more super 14 teams and lets get going with what we have to make sure our youngsters all get a fair shake.

(Report abuse)

]]> By: David James Smith http://www.sportsleader.co.za/adamwakefield/2009/09/11/synical-sam-is-always-right-where-super-rugby-is-concerned/#comment-6853 David James Smith Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:13:52 +0000 http://www.sportsleader.co.za/adamwakefield/2009/09/11/synical-sam-is-always-right-where-super-rugby-is-concerned/#comment-6853 I agree with your assessment of the SA-NZ-OZ relationship. Nz and Oz are always going to gang up on us, it is the nature of our relationship. And it is frustrating to see them get one over us. But from a global rugby perspective, it is better to have the additional team in Oz. They need to grow the sport in their country. Melbourne is one of the great sporting cities of the world and an important growth area for the game. There are a lot of posh Melburnians who would love to have a team down there. (the posh crowd are rugby's biggest supporters in Oz). And growth of the game is beneficial to us (ie the fans) in the long run. The only bummer is the revenue divisions are swung in Australia's favour rather than ours. I agree with your assessment of the SA-NZ-OZ relationship. Nz and Oz are always going to gang up on us, it is the nature of our relationship. And it is frustrating to see them get one over us.

But from a global rugby perspective, it is better to have the additional team in Oz. They need to grow the sport in their country. Melbourne is one of the great sporting cities of the world and an important growth area for the game. There are a lot of posh Melburnians who would love to have a team down there. (the posh crowd are rugby’s biggest supporters in Oz). And growth of the game is beneficial to us (ie the fans) in the long run. The only bummer is the revenue divisions are swung in Australia’s favour rather than ours.

(Report abuse)

]]>