NSW Wizards - super 14 team?

[melon]

<div class=\'quotetop\'>QUOTE</div><div class=\'quotemain\'>
Waratahs go to highest bidder

By Iain Payten
April 18, 2008 12:00am


THE NSW Waratahs could potentially morph into the NSW Wizards under a bold new proposal to inject private money into Australia's Super rugby sides.

The Australian Rugby Union said yesterday it was opening the door for private equity in Super 14 teams to help boost rugby's flagging financial fortunes, reversing a position held since professionalism began in 1996.

On a day when an ARU loss of $8.4 million last year was announced - and equally dire long-term forecasts were registered - ARU boss John O'Neill said private equity in the Waratahs, Reds, Brumbies and Force franchises could help free up sorely needed money to prop up the battling code.

"We're not selling off the franchises, we're introducing the opportunity for private equity into the professional end of the game on a nationally controlled and regulated basis," O'Neill said.

The investigation of private equity was one in a set of strategic initiatives yesterday endorsed by the ARU board and state bosses.

O'Neill said Australian rugby had to think radically about new revenue or risk being ranked eighth in the world in four years and on a "downhill slide". The board also endorsed a push for expanded Super rugby.

"Looking at our existing resources and forecasts for the next five to six years, you can't fund all the things we need to fund," O'Neill said.

The mechanics are undecided but it's believed the ARU favour an Australian rules-style model of licences sold under the overall control of the AFL. But an NRL-style salary cap would be most likely. The proposal raises questions such as how much control will investors be given?

Can private equity buy the right to punt a coach or change a team name, like the old-fashioned Waratahs? If controlling shares are unavailable, will benefactors even bother?

Former FFA boss O'Neill cited the formation of the A-League in 2005, and plenty of "big end of town" rugby boosters, as evidence Super rugby could attract investment.

The ARU, which tips in $4.3 million to states annually, will hire experts to value the teams. The states and the players' association last night said they supported controlled private equity.

[/b][/quote]

Lets face it...they're in trouble and something needs to be done. Any other ideas?

Discuss.

 

[BLR]

The Waratahs need to start managing thier finances better, that's the solution...they get bucketloads off the ARU and it seems it just goes into the sinkhole....I'm not fussed though....as long as they keep the integrity of the clubs and don't turn all the teams into another 'Chelsea' I'll be sweet....

 

[Fushitsusha]

First thing - stop wasting money on lousy league converts.

 

[BLR]

First thing - stop wasting money on lousy league converts.
[/b]

I think if they do it right, recruiting leagies who actually have a passion, and do it on the down low, without the media circus then it could be done right. Example. Ryan Cross, his recruitment and development over the past year and a half should be in all the ARU's league recruitment textbooks....

 

[Haj]

and Clint shifffwatchyacallit

 

[Fushitsusha]

<div class='quotemain'>
First thing - stop wasting money on lousy league converts.
[/b]

I think if they do it right, recruiting leagies who actually have a passion, and do it on the down low, without the media circus then it could be done right. Example. Ryan Cross, his recruitment and development over the past year and a half should be in all the ARU's league recruitment textbooks....
[/b][/quote]

I totally agree. Cross has been outstanding. Unlike some of these other leaguies he's not only got a passion for the game but he's actually played it at a representative level in the past.

Tyrone Smith has also been a huge success.

Andrew Walker was also great back in the day before he lost it.

I'm sick of these big name league stars getting huge amounts of money and automatic Wallaby selection due to their profile - Sailor... Tuqiri.... etc. etc.

 

[sanzar]

<div class='quotemain'>
<div class='quotemain'>
First thing - stop wasting money on lousy league converts.
[/b]

I think if they do it right, recruiting leagies who actually have a passion, and do it on the down low, without the media circus then it could be done right. Example. Ryan Cross, his recruitment and development over the past year and a half should be in all the ARU's league recruitment textbooks....
[/b][/quote]

I totally agree. Cross has been outstanding. Unlike some of these other leaguies he's not only got a passion for the game but he's actually played it at a representative level in the past.

Tyrone Smith has also been a huge success.

Andrew Walker was also great back in the day before he lost it.

I'm sick of these big name league stars getting huge amounts of money and automatic Wallaby selection due to their profile - Sailor... Tuqiri.... etc. etc. [/b][/quote]
Actually I think Sailor was it as far as that goes, and Tuqiri is more than a little debatable with fair sections of the establishment believing he was worth every penny (see Connolly's most recent article).
You guys make it sound like a huge epidemic when you say it like that, but in reality most League recruits have proven pretty useful. Even Sailor started to play the way he was expected towards the end (he was having a fantastic year in 2005 with the Waratahs before the idiot got caught on coccain). I also thought Blacklock showed a fair bit of potential, but he was always more a working class man's player and never fit in with the union crowd.

 

[Incredible Schalk]

Tuquiri was widely said to be the best winger in the 2003 world cup, fair enough his form is up and down but a wingers reputation is mainly dependent on the quality of ball he gets. For example against the Lions last weekend he was always recieving the ball from a standing from but with a bit of pace on the ball like the Force the week before he can destroy defenses with his pace and power. He has it in him, i see nobody else that deserves a wingers spot more except perhaps Mitchell in the Wallaby side.

 

[Fushitsusha]

<div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotemain'>
<div class='quotemain'>
First thing - stop wasting money on lousy league converts.
[/b]

I think if they do it right, recruiting leagies who actually have a passion, and do it on the down low, without the media circus then it could be done right. Example. Ryan Cross, his recruitment and development over the past year and a half should be in all the ARU's league recruitment textbooks....
[/b][/quote]

I totally agree. Cross has been outstanding. Unlike some of these other leaguies he's not only got a passion for the game but he's actually played it at a representative level in the past.

Tyrone Smith has also been a huge success.

Andrew Walker was also great back in the day before he lost it.

I'm sick of these big name league stars getting huge amounts of money and automatic Wallaby selection due to their profile - Sailor... Tuqiri.... etc. etc. [/b][/quote]
Actually I think Sailor was it as far as that goes, and Tuqiri is more than a little debatable with fair sections of the establishment believing he was worth every penny (see Connolly's most recent article).
You guys make it sound like a huge epidemic when you say it like that, but in reality most League recruits have proven pretty useful. Even Sailor started to play the way he was expected towards the end (he was having a fantastic year in 2005 with the Waratahs before the idiot got caught on coccain). I also thought Blacklock showed a fair bit of potential, but he was always more a working class man's player and never fit in with the union crowd.
[/b][/quote]

Connolly's articles seem to be nothing more than him trying to justify his selections in recent times.

The guy is a joke.

Tuquiri was widely said to be the best winger in the 2003 world cup, fair enough his form is up and down but a wingers reputation is mainly dependent on the quality of ball he gets. For example against the Lions last weekend he was always recieving the ball from a standing from but with a bit of pace on the ball like the Force the week before he can destroy defenses with his pace and power. He has it in him, i see nobody else that deserves a wingers spot more except perhaps Mitchell in the Wallaby side.
[/b]

I think Ashley-Cooper will get a wing spot the way he's playing.

He just has a natural ability to find holes in defence and make metres, plus he's great at palming off defenders... quite strong.

 

[Hamster]

I think Tuquri is good but 1.2 is just a waste of money to spend on him, he should be getting half that max, even if he wouldve gone to league its not look we need him that badly, we have plenty of wingers who would take his spot.

 

[Gay-Guy]

Tuquiri was widely said to be the best winger in the 2003 world cup, fair enough his form is up and down but a wingers reputation is mainly dependent on the quality of ball he gets. For example against the Lions last weekend he was always recieving the ball from a standing from but with a bit of pace on the ball like the Force the week before he can destroy defenses with his pace and power. He has it in him, i see nobody else that deserves a wingers spot more except perhaps Mitchell in the Wallaby side. [/b]

Tuqiri and Sailor would have turned out to be some of the best wingers of this decade if they had joined the Crusaders lol! That outfit would have sorted them out and trained them about rugby running lines and various defensive patterns...not forsaking an honest work ethic and understanding of team before self values. Imagine those two as the Crusaders wingers outside Carter, Mauger, and Laulala with Rico Gear in the reserves as cover for them of for Laulala at centre or for MacDonald at fullback (actually Tuqiri could also cover as fullback). Gee the Crusaders would have been unbeatable. Sailor who is a fan of the Crusaders setup said that they were very much setup like the Broncos. It seems that Tuqiri and Sailor lost something when they ignored Queensland (ok so it was not THE Queensland of SOO) and went followed the money to the NSW Waratahs. They lost the chance to be legendary.

 

[sanzar]

<div class='quotemain'> Tuquiri was widely said to be the best winger in the 2003 world cup, fair enough his form is up and down but a wingers reputation is mainly dependent on the quality of ball he gets. For example against the Lions last weekend he was always recieving the ball from a standing from but with a bit of pace on the ball like the Force the week before he can destroy defenses with his pace and power. He has it in him, i see nobody else that deserves a wingers spot more except perhaps Mitchell in the Wallaby side. [/b]

Tuqiri and Sailor would have turned out to be some of the best wingers of this decade if they had joined the Crusaders lol! That outfit would have sorted them out and trained them about rugby running lines and various defensive patterns...not forsaking an honest work ethic and understanding of team before self values. Imagine those two as the Crusaders wingers outside Carter, Mauger, and Laulala with Rico Gear in the reserves as cover for them of for Laulala at centre or for MacDonald at fullback (actually Tuqiri could also cover as fullback). Gee the Crusaders would have been unbeatable. Sailor who is a fan of the Crusaders setup said that they were very much setup like the Broncos. It seems that Tuqiri and Sailor lost something when they ignored Queensland (ok so it was not THE Queensland of SOO) and went followed the money to the NSW Waratahs. They lost the chance to be legendary. [/b][/quote]
What do you mean GG? Sailor spent his entire Union career at Qld until his final year and actually played his best rugby with NSW (then the bugger got caught on cocain - but until that point he and Tuqiri were both playing incredibly well for NSW in 2005). Sailor never did anything with Qld and I doubt Tuqiri would have either... they're just not a well run side. Ok the Tahs aren't exactly perfect, but at times Qld resemble Souths...

 

[Gay-Guy]

<div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotemain'> Tuquiri was widely said to be the best winger in the 2003 world cup, fair enough his form is up and down but a wingers reputation is mainly dependent on the quality of ball he gets. For example against the Lions last weekend he was always recieving the ball from a standing from but with a bit of pace on the ball like the Force the week before he can destroy defenses with his pace and power. He has it in him, i see nobody else that deserves a wingers spot more except perhaps Mitchell in the Wallaby side. [/b]

Tuqiri and Sailor would have turned out to be some of the best wingers of this decade if they had joined the Crusaders lol! That outfit would have sorted them out and trained them about rugby running lines and various defensive patterns...not forsaking an honest work ethic and understanding of team before self values. Imagine those two as the Crusaders wingers outside Carter, Mauger, and Laulala with Rico Gear in the reserves as cover for them of for Laulala at centre or for MacDonald at fullback (actually Tuqiri could also cover as fullback). Gee the Crusaders would have been unbeatable. Sailor who is a fan of the Crusaders setup said that they were very much setup like the Broncos. It seems that Tuqiri and Sailor lost something when they ignored Queensland (ok so it was not THE Queensland of SOO) and went followed the money to the NSW Waratahs. They lost the chance to be legendary. [/b][/quote]
What do you mean GG? Sailor spent his entire Union career at Qld until his final year and actually played his best rugby with NSW (then the bugger got caught on cocain - but until that point he and Tuqiri were both playing incredibly well for NSW in 2005). Sailor never did anything with Qld and I doubt Tuqiri would have either... they're just not a well run side. Ok the Tahs aren't exactly perfect, but at times Qld resemble Souths...
[/b][/quote]

Lol you are right! Funny how a drugs scandal can erase memories of a players best season....I still think they could both play better if someone taught them how to run better rugby lines rather than their characteristic standing starts. They both also need to learn to run others into gaps when they have the ball in hand and the option is better elsewhere. Tuqiri to this day still looks like he is playing league. When I watch him I still think he could be a whole lot more than he is with a bit of guidance.....I know he is very effective at the moment....but I just think he could be a whole lot more.