Stirlo reckons Melbourne's a Super town

[mudskipper]

Perhaps we have a similar stand point on this particular article as the other three and do not feel the need to restate that in all three places.

Please read your PM's Mudskipper.

Perhaps you do so why are you replying to my question? You can send them publicly in the future please laura... to much private messaging shadow play here...

Laura its never a good idea to speak for he majority... how many are you speaking for here

[James]

It would be crazy if you had a new Super 14 franchise not to base it out of Melbourne. The Waratahs make a 300k loss in the best of seasons and another team would just add to that. Up in Queensland the Gold Coast will be bloated with sports between the Titans, the new AFL team and all the rest they are trying to cram in. Saying that though there just won't be the right kind of player numbers going around until at least 2012. I would mind knowing how the average age of Aussie S14 squads have changed with the inclusion of the Force.

Pacific Islands isn't really an option. Financial and political issues make a big dark cloud. Second string Force and Waratahs sides have given Samoa and Fiji a belting or two in the last few years. And if they were grouped up into one PI team where would it be based? Who would run it? It would become a bit of a political and logistical nightmare.

Japan would be an interesting option. A good financial option but not one thats necessarily great for rugby.

At the moment it seems neither NZ or SA have the depth to support another team.

Perhaps the best option would be, with a view to further expansion, have a team that is a third Japanese, a third PI and a third Australian based out of Melbourne. In say 2016 after the next World Cup we could then build it up to a Super whatever.

[laura]

I send private messages to keep unneccessary things out of TWF forums.
I feel it is unneccessary for me to discuss my issues with you in a public forum. No one else cares.

[Jehna]

How about Tasmania? Everyone forgets them... Or Alice Springs..don't imagine there is a lot else to do out there....

[jargan83]

not alot to do in Canberra on that note.....
Posted via Mobile Device

[mudskipper]

I send private messages to keep unneccessary things out of TWF forums.
I feel it is unneccessary for me to discuss my issues with you in a public forum. No one else cares.

Well was not Laura, not the message you sent... opinions should be shared as thats want threads are about...

[NTT]

East hates West, West hates East.

Nothing new here, i happily suggest GTT if all you wanna do is bitch about the Force. We tread this path all last year and the year before and the year before, let's move on.

[Stone Cold]

How about Tasmania? Everyone forgets them... Or Alice Springs..don't imagine there is a lot else to do out there....

Tasmania has half an AFL team (Hawthorn)...

Not much of anything in Alice Springs...although their Casino is about ten times as
good as Canberra's...

[Stone Cold]

not alot to do in Canberra on that note.....
Posted via Mobile Device

plenty to do in canberra...just gotta stay more than a few hours

[jargan83]

plenty to do in canberra...just gotta stay more than a few hours

other then the War Memorial?

[palitu]

i like the idea of the Japanese joinging in, though the Saffers would complain more about travel...

i have a bit of a soft spot for the japs and rugby, was really good to see their spirit against aus in the WC.

Does australia have the depth for another S14 (15) team?

[AndyS]

Interesting conjunction of questions - does Australia have the ability to field a group of players with the same ability as the group Japan would field?

[mudskipper]

Interesting conjunction of questions - does Australia have the ability to field a group of players with the same ability as the group Japan would field?

Yes I think a fifth OZ team would be equal to a Japanese team... If a Japanese team joined they would have to be based out of Japan... a placebo Japanese team based in Australia wouldn't be fair as they would get no real home games... same goes for the Pacific islanders...

The S14 home games are very important because long road trips are hard to pick up wins...

Just adding a team for media or make up the numbers wouldn’t add the quality of the competition…

I expect if a OZ fifth team is introduced we will see the ARU change some of the foreign players laws...

Another point is South Africa agreeing to allow a fifth Australian team will only make Australian Rugby stronger and eventually the Wallabies stronger, they may view that this is not in their long-term interest...

[brokendown gunfighter]

plenty to do in canberra...just gotta stay more than a few hours

as compared to Sydney?

[GIGS20]

I expect if a OZ fifth team is introduced we will see the ARU change some of the foreign players laws...

How about a fifth team, based in Melbourne, with no limit on the number of PI, Argentine or Japanese nationals allowed to play for ANY Australian franchise, with a view to international expansion for the next broadcast deal.

It might work, would sure spark some interest for international TV rights and wouldn't cost much to set up!