Where to for Super Rugby?

[Highlander35]

Any reports on Christian Lealiifano's form for Ulster?

Like Grade A morons, BeIN chose Munster v Treviso for the Friday Overnight Broadcast game.

Here's 5 minutes of highlights, haven't watched it myself, don't know where I'd get it.

https://streamable.com/lecf9

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[Derpus]

well the class in Super rugby is (was?) much higher than in European rugby, it has been diluted of late with the inclusion of those extra south african teams, that japanese and Argentinian team too but NZ teams still ooze off class, heck I'm sure if the worst NZ super rugby team played in Pro14, like the Blues, they'd probably finish in the top 2

Northern Hemisphere rugby has really been on par for quite a while now to be fair. The fruits of proper investment.

 

[Lindommer]

^^^^^SARU's biggest sticking point was always the extra travel burden on their teams compared to the Australasian ones (kinda ironic that they've now got two teams in Europe, I wonder how long before they start arguing for a "fairer deal").....

The repeated quoting of this myth won't somehow validate it. The Saffer teams DON'T do more travel than the Oz or Kiwi ones; in fact a coupla years ago the Stormers clocked up considerably less km than the Force. Read here: http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/threads/s18-on-its-way.13275/page-29 I suspect a similar exercise for the 2016 and 17 draws would have the Sunwolves topping the km chart.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^^^ I never said it was a fact, merely that SARU made an issue if it from pretty much Day 1.

EDIT: it was also part of the rationale behind the four conference model so the stats you quote would be seen as "mission accomplished" from SARU's POV.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Any reports on Christian Lealiifano's form for Ulster?

Definitely rusty, but put in some good tackles and still has that killer long pass. Issues in defensive positioning but I expect that will be ironed out as he gets to know the players around him.

 

[wamberal]

Northern Hemisphere rugby has really been on par for quite a while now to be fair. The fruits of proper investment.

And lots of money to begin with. Not to mention deep seated popularity in very big markets, particularly amongst the middle classes and upl

 

[Quick Hands]

Northern Hemisphere rugby has really been on par for quite a while now to be fair. The fruits of proper investment.

Indeed. I caught a game this afternoon from the Pro 14 featuring the Kings and the Scarlets. Highly entertaining rugby. 57-10 to the Scarlets. Those on these threads who propagate the myth that Britsh and Irish teams all play stodgy, forward-based 10 man rugby are at least 20 years behind the time.

 

[Quick Hands]

And lots of money to begin with.l

Well, we had $31 million in the banks post RWC 2003. I'd call that lots of money to begin with. Alas our administrators wasted it, whereas NH admistrators have used similar windfalls to build the game.

 

[PaarlBok]

Kings & Cheetahs not off to a good start in Pro14:

Scarlets 57-10 Kings
Ulster 42-19 Cheetahs

To be fair to both franchises, it wasnt even close to what the scoreboard show.

Cheetahs had two yellows which cost them dearly. The second yellow was for a Cheetah fatty who catrol in a the Ireland winger (Trimble) and the first one for bringing down a maul.

The Kings isnt even close to their S18 side. Had to start from scratch after losing all their S18 players after the uncertainty of their future.

To play up north at least we had a sell out at Ulster not the 100+ wer had in S18 rugby. The teams will have some growing pains and will be much better then the first weekend.

 

[half]

I guess we are playing the waiting game now and I do wonder how both the WF & ARU plan the next phase.

WF have strongly hinted they will take further court action if they lose the current appeal, what effect this has on next year’s Super Rugby draw is an open for debate and interesting question.

If WF win, can they force SANDZZAR to include them in the draw? What happens if SANDZZAR don’t include the WF in the draw? What happens if they are included in the draw?

An ARU win, most likely means further court action, and I guess they must be planning on what to do in the event of winning the court decision.

Equally if the ARU loose, what do they do. Does the board step down as indicated or does the ARU also appeal? Does the ARU approach SANDZZAR and plead we tried and have mercy?

The broadcasters who I think behind the scenes started all this, how will they react to a WF win?

How will sponsors react?

In various boards from the ARU, WF, SANDZZAR, Broadcasters and maybe key sponsors my guess is a lot of “”What IF”” analysis is taking place.


The saga continues.

 

[Killer]

I guess we are playing the waiting game now and I do wonder how both the WF & ARU plan the next phase.

WF have strongly hinted they will take further court action if they lose the current appeal, what effect this has on next year’s Super Rugby draw is an open for debate and interesting question.

If WF win, can they force SANDZZAR to include them in the draw? What happens if SANDZZAR don’t include the WF in the draw? What happens if they are included in the draw?

An ARU win, most likely means further court action, and I guess they must be planning on what to do in the event of winning the court decision.

Equally if the ARU loose, what do they do. Does the board step down as indicated or does the ARU also appeal? Does the ARU approach SANDZZAR and plead we tried and have mercy?

The broadcasters who I think behind the scenes started all this, how will they react to a WF win?

How will sponsors react?

In various boards from the ARU, WF, SANDZZAR, Broadcasters and maybe key sponsors my guess is a lot of “”What IF”” analysis is taking place.


The saga continues.

In my mind it is much simpler.
If WF lose they will take this higher or another case, any way that they can get an injunction. They will not stop until the slimmest of slim chance's is taken away.
If the ARU lose, they and SANZAAR will give up and move on with 16 teams.

The majority of Australians will rejoice this outcome, not only for the WF but also as it will rid them of Clyne.

 

[Derpus]

If the Injunction is still in place come next season, it's going to turn into an absolute clusterfuck. I guarantee SANZAAR will press ahead with a 15 team comp, and the question will have to be asked whether an injunction issued against ARU extends to SANZAAR and Super Rugby.

It will be an absolute clusterfuck.

 

[Killer]

If the Injunction is still in place come next season, it's going to turn into an absolute clusterfuck. I guarantee SANZAAR will press ahead with a 15 team comp, and the question will have to be asked whether an injunction issued against ARU extends to SANZAAR and Super Rugby.

It will be an absolute clusterfuck.

Why would Sanzaar do this, it would be very bad business, move on.

 

[Derpus]

Why would Sanzaar do this, it would be very bad business, move on.

Are you telling me to move on? I don't get it.

 

[Killer]

Are you telling me to move on? I don't get it.

No, I'm saying why would sanzaar press ahead with 15 teams, it would put the ARU in an impossible position.
They know the WF have no where to go, backing a trapped animal into a corner is not going to end well.
The best business decision is to make the best of it for now with a 16 team comp, thus the comment "just move on" and re assess later.

 

[half]

No, I'm saying why would sanzaar press ahead with 15 teams, it would put the ARU in an impossible position.
They know the WF have no where to go, backing a trapped animal into a corner is not going to end well.
The best business decision is to make the best of it for now with a 16 team comp, thus the comment "just move on" and re assess later.

Depends who was behind the orginal call to go to 15 teams.

I have always believed it was the broadcasters due to falling ratings in SA & Europe.

SANDZZAR IMO would have been called to a meeting where rating metrics would not be being met and revenue deductions would have been threaten unless ratings can be restored to close to forecast figures.

If I am right, and I think I am, this has much more to do with broadcasters than most think. Meaning SANDZZAR would be caught between a rock and a hard place and I am not sure the ARU problems would over ride other issues they have.

 

[Rebels3]

There is almost 0 chance of a 16 team comp next year. a) the travel costs would sky rocket in a round robin competition and b) the broadcasters have all agreed to it. Which leaves with only a few situations

1) The Brumbies go - extremely unlikely
2) The Force replace the Sunwolves
3) The Force replace the Jaguares
4) The court awards RugbyWA a financial payment on missed income

I personally would like the Force to remain and one of the scenarios above happen, particularly 2 or 3 as i believe their stance on Super Rugby and respective national teams is doing more damage than good. But they are the only possible outcomes. The Reds and Tahs are untouchable and the ARU has no jurisdiction over the Rebels.

 

[Killer]

Depends who was behind the orginal call to go to 15 teams.

I have always believed it was the broadcasters due to falling ratings in SA & Europe.

SANDZZAR IMO would have been called to a meeting where rating metrics would not be being met and revenue deductions would have been threaten unless ratings can be restored to close to forecast figures.

If I am right, and I think I am, this has much more to do with broadcasters than most think. Meaning SANDZZAR would be caught between a rock and a hard place and I am not sure the ARU problems would over ride other issues they have.

Yes but how does the ARU make a decision on who to cut if there is an injunction in place, I would think stalemate?

 

[half]

Yes but how does the ARU make a decision on who to cut if there is an injunction in place, I would think stalemate?

If SANDZZAR don't invite WF to their new competition, I can't see how WF can stop the new competition as WF has never had a contract with SANDZZAR.

This issue is costs to WF from the ARU as I see it. ,

 

[dru]

A quick definitive result in the current court case is probably a last chance saloon for Force entry to 2018 Soup.

Unless forced to do so, I see Clyne belligerence holding onto the advice to SANZAAR for 4 Aus teams next year. I don't see SANZAAR proceeding against this advice.