All these Aus local derbies ...................... better?

[fatprop]

Been drinking and thinking last night with a couple of mates ......................

Is the premise that there will be more great "exciting" running rugby in 2011 flawed for the Aus local derbies incorrect? They seem to be tight slogs more often than not.

Also will the Aus sides playing Aus sides more often be a benefit or hindrance to Aus rugby. Realistically we have weakened teams because of the Rebels playing eachother while the Kiwis derbies are a seriously higher standard of rugby and the Boks derbies end up being typical bok trench warfare.


Thoughts?

 

[MrTimms]

I agree with the sentiment, my hope however is that given there will be more that one opportunity against a local rival, teams will feel more free and less pressure to not drop the game. I think that is what tightens the games up now, "the Tahs only get one chance to beat the Reds, whatever you do don't drop this one"

Eternal Optimist?

 

[Moses]

the Tahs only get one opportunity to beat the Reds"

Fixed.

 

[TOCC]

Will the local derbies really be exciting matches as they are been fanfared as?
I think they will, any reduced 'razzle dazzle' will be supplemented in excitement stakes by the added 'emotional value' of a local derby..

 

[Bruce Ross]

my hope ... is that given there will be more that one opportunity against a local rival, teams will feel more free and less pressure to not drop the game. I think that is what tightens the games up now, "the Tahs only get one chance to beat the Reds, whatever you do don't drop this one"

I agree with you Mr T. I'm also looking forward to the additional games between the Australian teams to give us a better perspective on the one-on-one match-ups of players in the same positions.

A possible benefit over time, fp, is that the new structure might facilitate the re-emergence of a distinctively Australian style of rugby. Up to now our players have had only three games at the professional level per season against other Australians; now they will have eight.

 

[disco]

More often than not the Aussie derbies are crap especially when the Tahs play the Brumbies. Force V Reds is usually a one sided affair with the home team coming out well on top & the Brumbies thrash the Reds.

tahs V Reds is usually a a good game so I'm keen to see both those sides square off twice.

It really comes down to the Refs in these games if he starts pinging the attacking side then they'll be the shit like 2007.

 

[barbarian]

Realistically we have weakened teams because of the Rebels playing eachother while the Kiwis derbies are a seriously higher standard of rugby and the Boks derbies end up being typical bok trench warfare.

The Bok derbies are hit and miss, can remember a fair few 47-35 type scorelines in recent years, might change this year though if the Lions and Cheetahs decide to tackle every once in a while.

As for the NZ sides, we are not too far behind them in terms of standard. Last year the Chiefs and Highlanders were fairly average, and the Blues very hit and miss. The Tahs, Brumbies and Reds are all in the top tier of sides now, and the Force aren't too far behind.

I think it is a good thing though. There is much more on the line in an Australian derby- pride, bragging rights, national selection etc. Plus it will draw a bigger crowd who will be more keen to see a home victory.

 

[Lee Grant]

I don't think that we have fully appreciated yet the added excitement that the conference system will bring to Oz rugby.

It will be old hat to the RSA who have had their Currie Cup for over 120 years and even NZ with its more recent NPC, now called the ITMC. Kiwi and SAffer fans weren't doing handstands over the conference system but yours truly was doing them mentally. We can use the conference system as a defacto domestic competition. Its not as good as having an ARC but better than nothing, and is financed by SANZAR, not the ARU.

I reckon also that there will be a bit more interest from Oz fans in an offshore team beating a rival Oz team. Don't put your hand on your heart and say "I will never do that" until the season is over.

Things are going to change.

 

[Slim 293]

Two matches against the reds mean the Brumbies will pick up plenty of bonus points...

 

[waratahjesus]

since when has there been a promise or anticipation of "exciting" or "running rugby". the whole premise is that they will get more tv money cos there will be more matches that draw more viewers.

i agree the game smight be a bit more open, but i think the fans (especially reds) are putting the running rugby tag on it when it doesnt fit.

 

[Gnostic]

I think the new format is a much needed shot in the arm for the SANZAR provincial comp. I haven't looked forward to a Super season so much for a long time. More games, more chances to sort the wheat from the chaff. On too many occasions the finals fate of a team has been determined by one poor game or the lack of a bonus point. I hope to see that the advantages of draw are significantly reduced as well so we really see the best teams making the finals.

The home and away conference series is a real sweetener for, back to the days of the State of the Union series (please note any Leagites that wish to howl about my use of this term and its apparent closeness to SOO - The State of the Union series has/had been going just a wee bit longer than the SOO)

 

[RugbyFuture]

I see the new conferance system as a chance for The Australian teams to retain more glory supporters, something the other codes have had is that basically an Australian Team was always able to win the comp, therefore you were always retaining some glory supporters within the australian market (whether you like it or not they are a neccessity in a commercialised sporting market). The new conferance system may not stimulate better rugby or whatever style you prefer, but it will enable the domestic teams to have more rivalry and have an Australian "winner".

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I'm looking forward this Super Rugby season like none before it. The new conference system and extended season I think are both good changes to the competition. I especially like the home away component within conferences.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

I dunno. I watched a few Aussie derbies last year and for the most part, I found the games dire. The Aus teams were much more of a joy to watch when playing the Kiwi/Safa teams. Can't name any particular games at the moment, but just an over riding feeling from last year (only get Aussie Networking showing games in HK, so get most of the Aus matches).

So it could go either way if you ask me.

 

[Bullrush]

The AUssies can afford to look forward to a longer Super tournament but it's tougher for SA and NZ who have proper domestic comps.

Ideally, I'd love to see the ITM Cup (with less teams perhaps), the Currie Cup and an Australian domestic copm all being played at the same time. The Top 4 of these competitions then go thru to a Super Competition.

NZ and Aussie probably need the cash from the bigger Super Tournament though....

 

[PaarlBok]

Cant see this other then a big improvement from an Aussie viewpoint. The easy road will be to top your conferense , will turn into one hell of a bitchfight once the othe three semi or whatever finalists will be decided. This conferense system will bring the Lions and Tin Ears right back into it and expect them to do much better in the S15 compare to the S14, simply because our lot play so many times against each other and know each other inside out.

 

[waratahjesus]

The AUssies can afford to look forward to a longer Super tournament but it's tougher for SA and NZ who have proper domestic comps.

Ideally, I'd love to see the ITM Cup (with less teams perhaps), the Currie Cup and an Australian domestic copm all being played at the same time. The Top 4 of these competitions then go thru to a Super Competition.

NZ and Aussie probably need the cash from the bigger Super Tournament though....

the ITM cup is losing money foot over boob, they need the money as much as australia do,
meanwhile the misconception that south africa somehow dont need the money or competition is one of the biggest bullloads in modern rugby times. They had already sold the rights to the currie cup and that was the only reason they where fighting about dates as they had commitments to fill with broadcasters. The old we will quit and go north shite they come up with is negotiation technique and with there own conference to f up now NZAUS rugby has come out of the reformed comp looking like masters of the negotiation table when in fact we all know that NZ sit in a marble room with the IRB president wrapped in chains and bondage gear while they take it in turns to whip him for apologies for any loss, yellow card or suspension given out during any given calender year and the ARU only has one wall for an office and a paddock with a cow that they have to wait to shit so they can see if there ideas stick.

sorry, been drinking.

 

[stoff]

The conference system is great for the Rebels as a new side coming in in a non-Rugby market. A bit of state against state rivalry is something Vics love. Marketed right it will work for the Rebs, and establishing our team is the most important thing for me at the moment.

 

[PaarlBok]

the ITM cup is losing money foot over boob, they need the money as much as australia do,
meanwhile the misconception that south africa somehow dont need the money or competition is one of the biggest bullloads in modern rugby times. They had already sold the rights to the currie cup and that was the only reason they where fighting about dates as they had commitments to fill with broadcasters. The old we will quit and go north shite they come up with is negotiation technique and with there own conference to f up now NZAUS rugby has come out of the reformed comp looking like masters of the negotiation table when in fact we all know that NZ sit in a marble room with the IRB president wrapped in chains and bondage gear while they take it in turns to whip him for apologies for any loss, yellow card or suspension given out during any given calender year and the ARU only has one wall for an office and a paddock with a cow that they have to wait to shit so they can see if there ideas stick.

sorry, been drinking.

Can see you have been drinking and talking out of your glass. The CC have never been part of the Super Rugby contracts, so keep on dreaming.

 

[Jethro Tah]

The new conferance system may not stimulate better rugby or whatever style you prefer, but it will enable the domestic teams to have more rivalry and have an Australian "winner".

So should the Australian "winner" get a trophy? I can't see any harm in it.