Saffas going?
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@westcoastie AIG have already gone, you're dreaming. If SA join 6N, either becoming 7N or replaceing Italy, it is the end of ABs as top dog. It'll take maybe half a dozen years, but we'll end up like Oz but worse - the RC money is split between the nations and SA money and ABs brand bringing in money has propped up Ozzie rugby barely for the last 12 years or so. Our money will go, tests/games in SA bring heapso cash due to them being in Euro time zone, then the players. We'll maybe pick overseas, home games will then be worth even less cos most ABs will be in NH cashed up clubs, ever decreasing circle. But is it a big IF.
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@Machpants said in Saffas going?:
@westcoastie AIG have already gone, you're dreaming. If SA join 6N, either becoming 7N or replaceing Italy, it is the end of ABs as top dog. It'll take maybe half a dozen years, but we'll end up like Oz but worse - the RC money is split between the nations and SA money and ABs brand bringing in money has propped up Ozzie rugby barely for the last 12 years or so. Our money will go, tests/games in SA bring heapso cash due to them being in Euro time zone, then the players. We'll maybe pick overseas, home games will then be worth even less cos most ABs will be in NH cashed up clubs, ever decreasing circle. But is it a big IF.
the next AIG... but yeh I think we'll be right, just be a different landscape, maybe a better one, where we can look after our players wellbeing and workload better. We'll all just chucking out opinion. We'll be fine I think.
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@canefan said in Saffas going?:
I'm not sure this move would make their rugby any better. How many players come back from the NH better?
Currently, most of them. Look at the standouts in the AUS and SA teams in teh RWC; a lot of them are coming out of the NH comps. They went away and got better. We have to do the same.
That said, SA always does this, and so far no joy. I'm not sure the 6/7N will compromise their travel for a few SA dollars. The big money is in England and France, and potentially Japan. SA is a medium earner in the scheme of things.
If they do go, it'll be curtains for us though. We just wno't compete with the big boys up north with the deep pockets if we can't get Japan up and running as a superpower.
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@westcoastie said in Saffas going?:
There is no reason NZ, Japan & Australia couldn't get their act together and build a better rugby product, and sharper, faster teams - Japan's knocking at the door of the top tier (arguably there now) all the while not playing top teams regularly.
I think that last is the reason NZ is investing in Japan so heavily - it's got the moolah.
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@Machpants if you believe the article, Italy won't be leaving, meaning they would then have a bye week (That they have had before) or need an 8th team.
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@taniwharugby said in Saffas going?:
@Machpants if you believe the article, Italy won't be leaving, meaning they would then have a bye week (That they have had before) or need an 8th team.
Certainly the clubs won't buy into having the 6N encroach further into the season?
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The poor size of the crowd for a game as big as Chiefs v Crusaders is a sign of how far Super Rugby is starting to circle the drain. I suppose why would you pay for a game where the best players are time limited - death by a thousand dumbs by the NZRU and SANZAR over the years.
SA would probably be better off in the 6N, it’s just whether the home nations will want two long haul flights added to their schedule.
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@Donsteppa at the end of the day, will SA bring the extra £'s and €'s that will ultimately be the determining factor to keep the Euro clubs in check...as a partner in SANZAR thier population helps them be the main player, in the big Euro markets, will it have the same pull?
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@taniwharugby initially they will. The novelty factor will be enormous. Just how long that can be sustained is the thing.
I’d imagine the many street gangs in Cape Town will be over the moon...
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Few thoughts:
SA had a lot of success in World Cups while playing in the 3/4N, even last RWC was vast majority SR players and no players playing in the Pro14. This move looks good on paper but may not translate to success on the field. The money men won't care.We desperately need to get Japan and USA/Canada on board for ¥$ or we are effectively farked. Would rather the NZRU throw their lot in with league than have all our best players playing in Europe.
If it's a vote among 6N unions, I wonder what happens if it's 3v3? Doubt it will be universally popular with 6N unions and fans.
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It's not just the money, our players have benefited enormously from constantly playing the South Africans, especially away.
That level of competition is not going to come from Japan, the Islands, or America.
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@mariner4life
Yes but they are much more likely to stay if we have money coming in. It's not a done deal. And even if it was, a trans Ta$man or South Pacific comp would see the bulk of our players go abroad. -
I guess the other factor is the temperature differences...
If this happens, could it see the end of INternational rugby as we know it?
It would surely see a slow demise of the rest of SH rugby, meaning more players heading north, giving clubs more power initially, putting more pressure on the INternational game...
I'm usually pretty optimistic, but I dont think this would be good at all
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@taniwharugby hadn't considered that. They may be closer in time zone but the seasons are out of whack. They can't play Super rugby and still play the 6N. So they either fall back on Currie Cup or export their players into the NH comp. Neither seem realistic
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@jegga said in Saffas going?:
This story has rolled around at some point every year this century, I'm sure the 6n teams will be stoked to get on a long haul flight to play on hard grounds in the height of summer.
So its agreed this is just the saffas posturing for a bigger slice of the SANZAAR pie? Steve Tew is barely out the door and it's all hitting the fan....