Adam84
John Eales (66)
Lol… there were 8 teams in the finals last year, this year there is 6…
also, Australian teams won 35 matches overall in 2025, up from 33 in 2024 despite have one less teams.
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Australian Rugby / RA
- Thread starter Dave Beat
- Start date
Lol… there were 8 teams in the finals last year, this year there is 6…
also, Australian teams won 35 matches overall in 2025, up from 33 in 2024 despite have one less teams.
Strewthcobber
Michael Lynagh (62)
This little tidbit dropped in the middle of Christie's recent articile is interesting (speaking about the Tahs here)
LeCheese
John Hipwell (52)
Wait... what? We're having a mini Super Rugby AU in 3mo time?
Adam84
John Eales (66)
Super Rugby A to run from September
The Australian-only mini Super Rugby tournament is expected to kick off in mid-September, and will be known as Super Rugby A.
It's understood that an under-19s Super Rugby A tournament will be played at the same time, while organisers are talking to officials in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa about getting them involved next year.
The timing means the tournament doesn't disrupt the Shute Shield or Queensland's Hospital Cup, and keeps players active.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/rebel-league-contract-threatens-to-shakeup-world-of-rugby-stipulations-revealed-as-game-faces-turning-point/news-story/41a5d27bcd2209719cab8e79d07629f
The Australian-only mini Super Rugby tournament is expected to kick off in mid-September, and will be known as Super Rugby A.
It's understood that an under-19s Super Rugby A tournament will be played at the same time, while organisers are talking to officials in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa about getting them involved next year.
The timing means the tournament doesn't disrupt the Shute Shield or Queensland's Hospital Cup, and keeps players active.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/rebel-league-contract-threatens-to-shakeup-world-of-rugby-stipulations-revealed-as-game-faces-turning-point/news-story/41a5d27bcd2209719cab8e79d07629f
HogansHeros
Ron Walden (29)
The beginning of the move away from Super Rugby as we know it?
Wilson
John Eales (66)
I imagine the official announcement is being held to try and time it with maximal eye balls during the Lions series, though I'm not sure that's the smartest strategy.
LeCheese
John Hipwell (52)
Yeah needed the launch during regular season and then a big campaign during Lions for mine.
More than a small part of me is concerned that the weird rollout is as a result of things not being finalised in the background.
Wilson
John Eales (66)
Potentially, but that not finalised may not necessarily be bad - they're talking to Fiji, Samoa and Tonga about involvement next year, maybe there's still a chance at least one of them (I'd assume Fiji) comes in this year and they want to work that through first.
I don't want to excuse flaws in the roll out of this too much, but I'm also not inclined to be too critical of it until it's properly announced, and even then I'm mostly just happy that they're finally doing something (and not the ill-thought-out national club comp that Waugh first floated when he stepped into the role).
Wilson
John Eales (66)
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Resigned? Funny to see the mixup the other way round. Must be intentional.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Why would Shaun Stevenson be opposed to Rugby Australia advertising the National Rally Championship?
Confusing post, Adam.
Have reported you to Site Admin.
Sword of Justice
Nicholas Shehadie (39)
Yeah but that’ll only be like 20 bucks in a while with exchange rates
waiopehu oldboy
Rocky Elsom (76)
Not according to what SARU announced at their AGM last week:
"South Africa’s decision to continue its investment into membership in rugby competitions in the northern hemisphere initially led to a R93m (c.GBP3.8m) group loss in 2024, but the governing body had already wiped out that deficit with a strong start to 2025.
"That was revealed at SARU’s annual meeting in Cape Town on Thursday."
Goes on to quote CEO:
"We had budgeted for a loss in 2024 in the expectation that the members would approve the private equity transaction that they had sought, releasing funds to cover the deficit.
“When that did not happen, we continued with our planned commercial reset, and other revenue generation plans, which have borne fruit. We are in the very rare position among our international peers of continuing to be debt-free and confident of posting a surplus in 2025.”
SA Rugby reveals how their financial future is looking compared to global rivals
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) are on course to buck the global trend and report a profit of more than ZAR 100m (c.GBP4.1m) for this year.
www.planetrugby.com
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Yep , but that's why I meant technically. they (like RA) see what's coming in. I just suggesting RA also isn't as bad off as some indicate either, all going through a few bad years etc.
www.businesslive.co.za
Saru technically insolvent after record loss, but outlook brighter
Biggest loss in nearly 30 years blamed on lack of equity partner
www.businesslive.co.za
Tomthumb
Ken Catchpole (46)
True, although South Africa are in a far better place to build sponsorships and are in a far more stable comp with entry into the European comps coming alsoYep , but that's why I meant technically. they (like RA) see what's coming in. I just suggesting RA also isn't as bad off as some indicate either, all going through a few bad years etc.
Saru technically insolvent after record loss, but outlook brighter
Biggest loss in nearly 30 years blamed on lack of equity partner
The problem for Rugby Australia is finding revenue is much harder with the current state of both the National team and domestic comp