Lions, Sharks and Stormers to join pro 14.

[TRF_heineken]

Interesting times ahead. Whereas in the past, SA flirtation with European rugby seemed to be in order to strengthen their hand in Super Rugby negotiations, the involvement of the Kings and Cheetahs in the Pro 14 along with membership on the board of Pro Rugby gives threats of moving north a lot more credibility than before.

I wouldn't use the term "threat". I think it's more a bargaining strategy. For years SA got the shortest straw and was heavily outvoted on ideas and plans in SANZAR, and got a raw deal with the money even though we had the most contributions. We just got fed up and now we have the chance to look at both sides and see what will be the best in our future, and not someone else's.

I just think that it's way too premature for us to give up on Super Rugby completely. We have a lot more to lose than to gain by leaving this competition, even though there are plenty jumping on the band wagon that Super Rugby is dead.

 

[User1245]

I feel for the Kiwis in all of this, the other SANZAAR partners are hopeless compared to them. Australia is haemorrhaging money and is losing ground to other codes, Argentina are very limited and only embraced professional rugby a few years ago, and South Africa has quota teams and has its hand in another cookie jar. They seem to be the only ones who have their house in order and are just focused on producing good teams.

 

[mdaclarke]

I feel for the Kiwis in all of this, the other SANZAAR partners are hopeless compared to them. Australia is haemorrhaging money and is losing ground to other codes, Argentina are very limited and only embraced professional rugby a few years ago, and South Africa has quota teams and has its hand in another cookie jar. They seem to be the only ones who have their house in order and are just focused on producing good teams.

Trouble is if the South African's go, the New Zealanders are in a lot of trouble. (I don't think the South African's will go)

 

[smartcooky]

Time to put some of this in perspective

August 2002: Springboks Should Turn Their Backs On Sanzar
http://allafrica.com/stories/200208310081.html
Didn't happen

February 2008: New SA TV deal puts SANZAR partnership under pressure
http://www.superxv.com/new-sa-tv-deal-puts-sanzar-partnership-under-pressure/
Didn't happen

February 2009: South Africa could leave the Super 14 for Europe
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2009/02/17/south-africa-could-leave-the-super-14-for-europe/
Didn't happen

All those articles were examples of posturing, to get some leverage leading up to the negotiation of broadcast deals. THere is no race on earth better and brinkmanship. This kind of stuff reminds me of Captain Bart Mancuso's famous line in "The Hunt for Red October"

 

[TRF_heineken]

Time to put some of this in perspective

August 2002: Springboks Should Turn Their Backs On Sanzar
http://allafrica.com/stories/200208310081.html
Didn't happen

February 2008: New SA TV deal puts SANZAR partnership under pressure
http://www.superxv.com/new-sa-tv-deal-puts-sanzar-partnership-under-pressure/
Didn't happen

February 2009: South Africa could leave the Super 14 for Europe
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2009/02/17/south-africa-could-leave-the-super-14-for-europe/
Didn't happen

All those articles were examples of posturing, to get some leverage leading up to the negotiation of broadcast deals. THere is no race on earth better and brinkmanship. This kind of stuff reminds me of Captain Bart Mancuso's famous line in "The Hunt for Red October"

Exactly. There is no point in completely leaving Super Rugby. We have too much to lose. And I think Supersport is one that will have a big influence here. You should see how many homes in SA is on a saturday morning from 7am to 9pm permanently on SS1 watching Super Rugby.

from waking up, we have a buffet of rugby ahead of us.

 

[higgik]

Exactly. There is no point in completely leaving Super Rugby. We have too much to lose. And I think Supersport is one that will have a big influence here. You should see how many homes in SA is on a saturday morning from 7am to 9pm permanently on SS1 watching Super Rugby.

from waking up, we have a buffet of rugby ahead of us.

Agree SA is the pawn in the war of 'club' rugby across the world. They sit nicely for time with Europe, but is the only way of raising income for SH. I personally would not like to see them come north as the long term effects would be to reduce the number of countries playing at top level, (Italy could well suffer), leaving a 6 N including SA.

NZ should be supporting Aus and PI by sending players to Aus teams and encouraging a PI team based in Hawaii in order to start the move to get some US money. Also need to move into Asia to find more money there, otherwise SA can force more money out of the next deal as threat now of leaving is even more obvious.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

The rumour about two from the Bulls, Stormers & Sharks potentially joining from next season has resurfaced in Wales Online. No quotes or anything that would give the claim more credence.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Silly season

 

[TRF_heineken]

Well nothing has popped up yet in local media yet.

I think it's again a load of nonsense.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Walesonline never post nonsense.

 

[Amiga500]

Walesonline never only post nonsense.

Fixed that for ya

 

[Amiga500]

The rumour about two from the Bulls, Stormers & Sharks potentially joining from next season has resurfaced in Wales Online. No quotes or anything that would give the claim more credence.

Article in the 42.ie today about the Pro14 releasing the fixtures:

https://www.the42.ie/pro14-season-shape-2019-20-4535362-Mar2019/

The PRO14 is expected to confirm its schedule in the coming weeks, almost six months after the French and English announced their plans for the 2019/20 season. The uncertainty over the regional situation in Wales is not believed to be a factor as the WRU is committed to fielding four teams. However, it is believed that the level of South African involvement was a factor in the delay.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Curious of the article to say that but not expand on it at all. Thanks for flagging it up. Some interesting speculation in the comments section there also.