It was arse about though WOB. Using restrictions on Wallabies selections to strengthen Super Rugby. The aim should have been to strengthen Super Rugby to ensure a better quality Wallabies side. That's where the missing third tier would have been so important. Let's see if they can get SRAus to a level and with sufficient exposure to play that role.
I don’t find the management of income windfalls simple. We have a bit of money from the lions and will get some more from the World Cup but I don’t think the answer is for RA to beat every single offer that every single player receives from now on.
Yep, I not saying I agree with Turunui, just his opinion. I agree it's a problem, RA (or NZR) don't have endless supplies of cash to always keep all players, hell even RFU in England lose players to France and they like NZ don't then pick them. I agree with what you say RA has seemd to adjusted with the sabbatical deals etc, and I feel this a good compromise.
I don't really want to bring England into this. They don't have the pressure of AFL and League in their market. Anyone they want to keep they do.
I’d be interested to know if soccer is a bigger deal comparatively than afl and league combined there though. Realistically what they have is more people, more money, and a bigger market to professionalise the step between local league 1s and the pros.
Well soccer would be more popular for sure. But it's striking a different fanbase being a non-contact sport IMO. The player drain also wouldn't be the same, attracting far different body shapes/sizes as well.
Football in the UK would be more popular than the AFL and NRL in Australia if you had to take simple view on it, but the moment you start digging into the minutiae of the different set ups (population density and volume, geographical spread of the country and proximity to Europe, the tiers etc etc.) you probably find it's not anywhere near a like for like comparisons and the insights you can draw aren't worth much.
Yep Tom ,I not suggesting England have same problems (although they do have league), we don't have down here same problems etc, just both RA and NZR have to find ways to keep players , to take reg 8 out of equation somehow. Wish I knew answer, but suspect we need to not play outside test windows. I kind of understand why, but still believe we are playing too many tests, and if not careful they will stop being the cash cows they are now. Perhaps going with my no excuses only answers? Just how do we find them down this end of world.
Yep understand that Tom, just saying it not just RA has problem is all and that it's something we all have to find solutions to going forward. That also includes PI teams, who surely suffer most?