O'Neill urges SA rugby expansion rethink

[James]

My concern is the fact that more people watch Super 14 in Europe than in the SANZAR countries. Seeing as the South African matches are the only ones in the European time zone – losing them might be viewed by broadcasters as cutting out a substantial portion of the tournament’s viewership. Therefore, they might offer us less money for the rights.

That is unlikely. I can't speak for the mainland but on Sky Sports they only play around 4 games per Super rugby team. I think the prospect of the Japanese market being tapped would counter balance that. I read some time ago that the Chinese government was making rugby the official sport of their military (which is probably bigger than the population of Australia). I wonder if China will ever make it up to tier 2 of rugby.

[jargan83]

I read some time ago that the Chinese government was making rugby the official sport of their military (which is probably bigger than the population of Australia). I wonder if China will ever make it up to tier 2 of rugby.

China's active personnel is 2,250,000, that just the Army

when you compare that with our total armed forces active personnel of 100,000........

[Burgs]

Nice to see you're positive and open minded about the South Africa's future....

After visiting there, I am realistic and open minded about their future.
I base that on on-ground observation and local citizen personal opinion, not speculation from afar and idealism over a latte.

[welshrugbyfan]

Why would SA want to even consider playing in the Magners League?

It would be taking a giant step backwards for bok rugby. The comp is no where near the standard of the S14. Munster, Leinster and the Ospreys are the only teams close to competing with the bok teams. The cheetahs and lions would be on a par with some of the crappier teams and that includes my dragons.

Still think the Magners League needs to merge with the Guinness Premiership and sides getting relegated and promoted.

Evens up the comp, if the SA teams joined an expanded version of those two comps it would benefit them but that's the only way.

[Burgs]

That would be the option I would see WRF, a Super X of NH and SA.
Perhaps the top X (3 for arguments sake?) from each of the current provincial get to step up to NH Super Rugby the following season. Using the existing Clubs/teams rather than tyring to invent new things all the time.
Sounds like an average night out in London, a few Magners, a few Guinness and a few "Currie"...

[welshrugbyfan]

Good idea the NH super rugby.

Just have two leagues so to speak with a promotion and relegation of the top and bottom two teams.

It wouldn't work any other way I don't think. You've got teams from SA, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England that are about the same level good and bad and it would make for a much more entertaining comp each week.

My team Newport don't really have a chance of winning the Magners League in all fairness, as do the Cheetahs in the Super 14. But a comp that is a little more even then yes it is worth them gritting it out each week.

[welshrugbyfan]

Based on today's current tables it would be similar to this. There is room for either one more team in division 1 to make that a 14 team comp and division 2 the 13 team comp. On this years form maybe not but London Wasps are a division 1 team usually.

The teams are by in no means of order as who would be where in the division just split into where the teams are from.

Division 1

Gloucester Rugby
Leicester Tigers
Harlequins
Sale Sharks
Bath Rugby
London Irish

Munster
Leinster
Ospreys
Scarlets

Sharks
Bulls
Stormers


Division 2.


Saracens
Newcastle Falcons
London Wasps
Northampton Saints
Worcester Warriors
Bristol Rugby

Edinburgh
Ulster
Blues
Glasgow
Dragons
Connacht

Lions
Cheetahs

[Burgs]

You wouldn't be adding some French to the mix?
Top three French and top one Italian perhaps?

[welshrugbyfan]

You wouldn't be adding some French to the mix?
Top three French and top one Italian perhaps?

That would be another 24 teams added into the mix. We'd need to go to a 3 or 4 division comp to make it work.

This was just an idea so the bok teams could play against competetive sides if they leave the super 14 comp.

I still like the idea of the Super SIESAW comp.

[Burgs]

I was thinking more four teams, three from France, one from Italy.
Such a pity there is so much overlap in seasons that there is difficulty in progressing up the pathway unless going on the previous seasons results.

[welshrugbyfan]

I was thinking more four teams, three from France, one from Italy.
Such a pity there is so much overlap in seasons that there is difficulty in progressing up the pathway unless going on the previous seasons results.

As long as the other 11 French teams and 9 Italian teams are happy to play in a seperate comp. They might not think the other SIESAW comp is what they consider an elite comp compared to their one.

If they did and all they wanted was to get promoted into it then it would be good.

I still think the division 3 or 4 comp would be good and truly make it a European super comp with the SA teams if they decide to go that way.

I'd rather see my team Newport play and win a bit more and be champions of a league that they are comfortable in.