Comments on: Sanzar’s Super 14 quick fix: Too little too late … but Hoskins to the rescue

By: Tony McKeever

Tony McKeever — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:54:15 +0000

GAVIN - Information is that additional franchises will come in this year still and will soak up some of the players - but for sure the lucre will pull the SH chaps.

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By: Gavin

Gavin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:56:52 +0000

I agree that the format will create a more competitive and fair structure for the Super 14, but I do not believe it will slow the migration of players. The independent club ownership combined with the enourmous TV revenue will always put the European market ahead in its ability to pay higher salaries, and in this new era of pro rugby, money talks and Kiwis and Yarpies walk

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By: Tony McKeever

Tony McKeever — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:20:36 +0000

MORNE - That is why New Zealand fans are turning on their own National coach now. South Africa, New Zealand and Australia have been too insular.

Insularity has led to mediocrity and the game of rugby is in peril.

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By: Morne

Morne — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:36:44 +0000

It is what we have been saying for years to be honest…

Reward success, disregard mediocrity.

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By: Tony McKeever

Tony McKeever — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:42:32 +0000

BRAND - Greetings! In my view the relegation and promotion games and the “S14 qualifier tournament” could be block buster games as the teams are playing for their lives.
There is nothing quite like a cliff hanger match for survival to pull the fans into the stadiums.
This grows the game and fuels the passion in local communities and the teams above that thrive on this energy and drive as they have everything to play for.

What this does do is level the playing field and sorts out the “slackers” and thrills the crowds with the discovery of new talent.

Let it be called the Super 14 as the agreement still has till the 31st May 2010 to go and these SANZAR chaps are dancing around till then.

I say stop the dance and get cracking with this to boost the Super 14 for Feb-May 2009 - we have 2 years to go - so why wait?

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By: Brand

Brand — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:28:45 +0000

Well done Tony !!!

Another ‘out-of-the-box’ rugby idea.

This will keep the franchises on their toes and stop the mediocre performances us the viewers and spectators have to put up with year in year out.

It sure is getting boring to wonder by how many points the Lions or Reds or Highlanders are going to loose.

It is also boring to wonder how many and which SA Teams are going to be at the bottom of the log.

It is also boring to know only one Team will perform consistently year-in-year-out - Crusaders.

Promotion-relegation with a minimalist round-robin tournament for the rest - to keep them in the loop - will do wonders for a sick Super 14.

Should we really still be calling it a Super 14 ???

There is not much - Super - about it any more, is there?

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