European Club Rugby
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@Catogrande said in NH club rugby:
I know you’re passionate about SA rugby and good on you for that and I’m not doubting the quality of the Saffer sides in the URC (obviously since they’re in the final!). I just feel that if the Euro league needed more teams we should have looked to European teams. I also feel that maybe SA have let down their SANZAR colleagues by jumping ship.
They didn't jump ship, NZR unilaterally dumped them, it was fait accompli
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@Catogrande we never jump ship. Mark Robinson cut us out. Blame him.
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I wasn’t aware of that, it does put a different perspective on things I guess.
Edit: Are you guys referring to the Covid related suspension or something else?
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@Catogrande ```
https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-australia-rugby-europe-sports-asia-2dc0493c0fe753073fb7cc384389ea11CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The South African Rugby Union decided Tuesday to pull its top club teams out of Super Rugby in favor of playing in Europe’s PRO14 league, and blamed New Zealand for the sudden breakup of the southern hemisphere competition.
The decision was made after a vote of SARU’s provincial unions and the defection could come into effect as soon as next year if an agreement is reached with PRO Rugby Championship, which runs the PRO14. It would mean the top four teams in South Africa — the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks and Lions — will play their domestic rugby against clubs from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy instead of their traditional rivals in New Zealand and Australia.
South Africa’s top teams have only ever played club rugby against fellow southern hemisphere opposition and have been part of Super Rugby since the tournament’s inception in the early 1990s, when rugby was still an amateur sport.
The world champion Springboks would still play tests against New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the four-nation Rugby Championship, SARU said. Realistically, however, South Africa’s participation in that championship might also be reconsidered once its top domestic teams’ seasons align with the northern hemisphere.
SARU called Tuesday’s move a vote for a “northern hemisphere future.”
SARU also said it was forced by New Zealand’s “unilateral” decision to organize its own domestic competition, or possibly a trans- Ta$man competition involving Australian and other teams for next year. That appeared to be because of uncertainty over if a traditional Super Rugby tournament could go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Still, SARU said it considered it a slight to not be consulted.
“Our members are excited about the prospect of closer alignment with PRO Rugby Championship and seeking a northern hemisphere future, but we would not have been taking this decision but for actions elsewhere,” SARU chief executive Jurie Roux said.
“We will advise our SANZAAR partners of the general meeting’s decision.”
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@Catogrande said in NH club rugby:
I wasn’t aware of that, it does put a different perspective on things I guess.
Edit: Are you guys referring to the Covid related suspension or something else?
Yes it was because of the international travel suspension in place in NZ at the time.
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@Frye said in NH club rugby:
@Catogrande said in NH club rugby:
I wasn’t aware of that, it does put a different perspective on things I guess.
Edit: Are you guys referring to the Covid related suspension or something else?
Yes it was because of the international travel suspension in place in NZ at the time.
Sort of, NZR said that was the plan for the future, CV just gave them an excuse to ditch SA.
NZR said we are having super rugby with upto 4 other teams. Nothing to do with Covid, the plan was for that to be the future forever
A three-month NZR review concluded the five existing Kiwi franchises should form the core and be joined by one professional entity from the Pacific Islands.
That leaves room for two-to-four Australian teams and precludes the involvement of franchises from South Africa, Argentina and Japan. Negotiations are under way with potential Pacific candidates but talks with Australia will not begin until next week.
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said the bar will be set high for teams interested in joining what he believes will be the strongest professional league in the world.
“We’re very conscious of any teams coming into the competition, that they are highly competitive, they are financially viable and that they bring value that can attract fans and retain interest in the competition,” he said.
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Not gainsaying anything but what would be the rationale for ditching the Saffer teams? Travel?
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@Catogrande said in NH club rugby:
Not gainsaying anything but what would be the rationale for ditching the Saffer teams? Travel?
Yup, I think that's why. Time zones and broadcasting. Most of their teams being uncompetitive. Bugger all fan interest in SA games.
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Guessing this won't warrant a suspension because it's Farrell.
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URC Awards Winners List 2021-22
Tackle Machine: Alan O’Connor (Ulster)
Turnover King: Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
Gilbert Golden Boot: Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys)
Top Try Scorer: Leolin Zas (DHL Stormers)
Ironman: Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls)
Next-Gen Player of the Season: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
Vodacom Fans’ Player of the Season: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
Loch Lomond Coach of the Season: Leo Cullen (Leinster)
Players’ Player of the Season: Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
Dream Team: Warrick Gelant (DHL Stormers), Seabelo Senatla (DHL Stormers), James Hume (Ulster), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Leolin Zas (DHL Stormers), Ross Byrne (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster); Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Marcell Coetzee (Vodacom Bulls), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers)
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@Tim said in NH club rugby:
Guessing this won't warrant a suspension because it's Farrell.
It's amazing how incompetent that AR is. But suited the overall standard in the game. Compare the yellow card for Walker with the swinging arm to the head by Daly. The ref started at red for Walker for what was incidental contact, but penalty only for Daly.
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@OomPB said in NH club rugby:
@akan004 We moved on from that. It work well for South Africa.
I guess that it has so far. For starters the Sth African Teams have won a few more games than they achieved in the last few years of Super Rugby. Some of their teams actually managed to qualify for the playoffs and one even ended up pinching the overall championship. That's a monumental change from their Super Rugby results. Clearly they have found their level!
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Leinster, after losing both the URC and Heineken Cup despite being favourites, have realised they need the Messiah, the Saviour Himself
Leinster confirm signing of former All Black Charlie Ngatai
Leinster have confirmed the signing of former All Black centre Charlie Ngatai from European Challenge Cup winners, Lyon.
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Breaking: The 2020/21 Premiership salary cap report by numbers
The Premiership salary cap 2020/21 report has revealed the average income of a top-flight with over 50 international caps was £325,306.
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@KiwiMurph said in NH club rugby:
A box kick a thon final between Leicester and Saracens in seemingly perfect rugby conditions.
Was tense but not absorbing. Sadly.
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@KiwiMurph said in NH club rugby:
A box kick a thon final between Leicester and Saracens in seemingly perfect rugby conditions.
Two best defensive teams. They already comprehensively beat the teams with attacking nous in the semis. But at least Saracens lost
