S18 on its way

[Highlander35]

Not to be conspiratorial or anything, but to me, that looks slightly like Japan has been put in the "weaker SA" pool and Argies in the tougher pool so that they can try and ensure 3 South African teams in the finals.

 

[kiap]

Not to be conspiratorial or anything, but to me, that looks slightly like Japan has been put in the "weaker SA" pool and Argies in the tougher pool so that they can try and ensure 3 South African teams in the finals.

Hmmm. It could be so. Another "Pool of Death".

Might backfire, too.

Buenos Aires Repats to the finals!! (also considering B.A Upper Classes, or High Brows, or B.A. Portas. )

The B.A. ZA Routers?

 

[Bazarov]

I like it.

or B.A. ZA Laser Eye Routers? not catchy enough?

 

[BDA]

Supposed Super Rugby Africa Conferences:

Sharks
Lions
Kings
Japan

Bulls
Cheetahs
Stormers
Argentina

seriously?!

So the Sharks basically get to top the ladder for the rest of eternity. Time to get on Sportsbet.

 

[Omar Comin']

I imagine the South African conferences could change year to year. I'd think that if they were set in stone that the Bulls and Lions would be in the same conference for example.

 

[Dewald Nel]

seriously?!

So the Sharks basically get to top the ladder for the rest of eternity. Time to get on Sportsbet.

On current form there's no way they'll be finishing ahead of the Lions next year.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

More signings for Argentina. They're looking like a proper Test side. I get the feeling they're going to be too strong for the rest.

Yes Argentina super rugby looking very strong...definitely right move by allowing other countries into Super Rugby as strength of rugby is in its international presence...and stronger rugby nations outside of usual northern and southern hemisphere heavyweights is only good thing.

Would love a pacfic islanders super rugby side but yes appreciate economics don't stack up...which pity as league pushing into pacific island nations to poach the talent there...

 

[qwerty51]

What about a PI team based in Western Sydney?

 

[liquor box]

Yes Argentina super rugby looking very strong.definitely right move by allowing other countries into Super Rugby as strength of rugby is in its international presence.and stronger rugby nations outside of usual northern and southern hemisphere heavyweights is only good thing.

Would love a pacfic islanders super rugby side but yes appreciate economics don't stack up.which pity as league pushing into pacific island nations to poach the talent there.

The Argies need to have two teams in the same conference to have better odds of finals and to build a larger player base for internationals

 

[zer0]

What about a PI team based in Western Sydney?

South Auckland would probably be a better bet.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I reckon eventually will see 2 Argie sides in time in Super Rugby..

Fantastic to see Puma's first included in Rugby Championship and now in Super rugby and already seeing improvements in the quality of their rugby from this.

Like to see Georgia included in Six nations - as reckon they could also improve leaps and bounds if included....

 

[Rugbynutter39]

South Auckland would probably be a better bet.

Nah we want that talent in Australia not New Zealand....

 

[Highlander35]

Re: Georgia in the 6 Nations, not gonna happen. It "shouldn't" be the case, but there's minimal commercial incentive to go there, now or in the future, plus the Georgian club system is decidedly amateur compared to the Italians, even prior to the 2 Pro12 teams. And then they, in arguably their strongest era ever struggling to beat even us consistently when we've not had a genuine world class player since Ford in 09 Lions tour form and Patterson at 07 cup form.

 

[mxyzptlk]

I reckon eventually will see 2 Argie sides in time in Super Rugby..

Fantastic to see Puma's first included in Rugby Championship and now in Super rugby and already seeing improvements in the quality of their rugby from this.

Like to see Georgia included in Six nations - as reckon they could also improve leaps and bounds if included..

The vast majority of Georgian players playing at the top professional level in Europe are in the Top 14, and of those they're almost entirely forwards -- props, locks, and a few flankers.

They produce a certain kind of human in the Caucasus Mountains.

 

[Bazarov]

Re: Georgia in the 6 Nations, not gonna happen. It "shouldn't" be the case, but there's minimal commercial incentive to go there, now or in the future, plus the Georgian club system is decidedly amateur compared to the Italians, even prior to the 2 Pro12 teams. And then they, in arguably their strongest era ever struggling to beat even us consistently when we've not had a genuine world class player since Ford in 09 Lions tour form and Patterson at 07 cup form.

Annually have a playoff against the winner of 6 Nations A (albeit the 6 Nations A runs over 2 years) against the last placed 6 Nations side.

Done.

 

[Bazarov]

The vast majority of Georgian players playing at the top professional level in Europe are in the Top 14, and of those they're almost entirely forwards -- props, locks, and a few flankers.

They produce a certain kind of human in the Caucasus Mountains.

They sure do.

Of the Georgians playing professionally there is a huge percentage of props.

(Fijians are almost an exact reverse image with outside backs to the fore etc etc.)

 

[liquor box]

So we need a Georgian/Fiji super team?

 

[mxyzptlk]

So we need a Georgian/Fiji super team?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Southern Kngs reportedly in all kinds of shit but it's all good, Mourad Boudjellal has a rescue plan:

* Kings become the Mandela Kings
* SARU takes on their debt (saw a figure of $US 8.5M quoted in another story)
* He, personally, gets their cut of the TV rights money
* Bokke play a Test every year at Mandela Bay (difficult but doable) AND Toulon

Cheeky Watson says it's madness but French billionaires do have a habit of eventually getting what they want.............

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/toulon-owner-makes-offer-to-buy-kings/

 

[zer0]

The competition is enough of a farce already, without Comic Book Guy getting involved. Besides, I wouldn't think SARU would be keen on giving up much of their broadcasting money.