The Fifth Australian Super Team

[oxleymoron]

I do like the idea of the fifth S14 franchise coming to SA as has been mentioned earlier in this thread. The chance to expand the game into an untapped region should be looked at, but personally I don't think that SA is ready for it just yet.

Being based in Whyalla, I am 400km from Adelaide and not in the greatest position to report on the state of the game in Adelaide. I can however tell you about the state of the game in regional SA. It does not exist. The closest team to me is the Barossa Rams, who play in the Adelaide competition. There are 12 teams in Adelaide, of which 8 compete in the top tier competition.

Even with the mining boom starting to take some effect here in Whyalla and the number of SAfr expats in town, a Whyalla "pub" team could be formed but with no competition except in Adelaide.

The Adelaide 7s, RWC 2003 match and the Wallabies vs Pacific Islanders has in no doubt increased the profile of rugby in SA. These events are well attended because it is the elite level competition. The SA public see these games as unique entertainment options, but I don't know about continued support like they show for the crows and port.

If I may digress to that other code (NRL), Adelaide did have the Rams in Super League for two seasons before they were disbanded, the same fate that fell upon the Western Reds. The average attendance was around 6000, which was ok, but not what Super League wanted. I attended a couple of games and numerous training sessions (because I lived next door) and wanted to see how they would go. They just could not get the support required to remain in existence.

If it purely come down to a race between SA and Vic for the fifth licence, then there would be heaps of support for the SA bid, only because we wouldn't want Victoria to have it. There would be several thousands people standing in the middle of Adelaide Oval spelling out 'Super 14 for Adelaide'.

Then and only then, the Backwater Black Falcons might have a chance at the big time.

[innocent quokka]

A friend of mine lives in the Parramatta area, and he says that there is a massive rugby following out his way, especially closer to the Epping/Eastwood area. Probably more Union fans than league in some pockets.

Maybe it's just the circles that he moves in.

[GIGS20]

Yeah but Eastwood will be one of the mainstays of the revamped ARC.....ergo they will be the defacto Wallabies Parrramatta doesn't need a super 14 team, just ask John Conolly, the cream of rugby talent and competition already resides there, it's all about getting the droves of rabid rugby fans to get off their ass and go to a match!

[no.8]

I hate to point to be blunt about it, but it ARU decides that the best thing for Australian Rugby is a team in Melbourne then tell the Crusaders to zip their lip and suck it up. The interests of the game in our country as opposed to the interests of a foreign side would surely be more important??

Maybe so J83 - but Melbourne is not accustomed to doing things the ARU way. Having been there for the RWC and the Lions tour - Rugby test matches and other games are promoted like an exhibition of the art or "quick get in now because you'll have to wait another year to see this show again".

Sydney and Brisbane (and now Perth) are Rugby centres where the populous are prepared to avail themselves on a weekly basis. Again in 2003 there was a similar atmosphere to Perth in Adelaide - I reckon people there would make the trip to Footie park weekly to see their team, the odd test match and any other matches.

Money is money to Melbourne!

[no.8]

Seems like my thoughts have been even more eroded with the news that the Crusaders may cut ties with Melbourne...but it's even worse for Melbourne now that Los Angeles is in the running?!?!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4385818a10295.html

[travelling_gerry]

So we have

1. Los Angeles
2. Melbourne
3. West Sydney
4. Gold Coast


maybe we should throw one more in the mix....Cockburn....council there seems to want a proper rectangular stadium....and imagine all the fun we could have inventing a name for the new franchise?

[chook]

Don't worry yourselves with a 5th team. Take the Force out of Perth and base them in Sydney's west instead. You could still call them the Western Force but without the unsavoury tag of Western Australian attached.

[Darren]

Surely they'd have to change the name to Westie Force? Although with a new sponsor they'd likely be the "Winnie Blue Westies"

[The InnFORCEr]

[chook]

VB would be a sponsor as well. Peter Wynn's would get a sleeve sponsorship spot. Not to mention both Holden and Ford.

[frontrow]

A few of the places of ill repute around paramatta and liverpool could throw thier hands in too, literally....

[beige]

maybe we should throw one more in the mix....Cockburn....council there seems to want a proper rectangular stadium....and imagine all the fun we could have inventing a name for the new franchise?

Well they wouldn't need to come up with any new chants - they could just have the clap.

[innocent quokka]

Centrelink could sponsor them too.

[Hoolly Doolly]

Don't worry yourselves with a 5th team. Take the Force out of Perth and base them in Sydney's west instead. You could still call them the Western Force but without the unsavoury tag of Western Australian attached.

[Pierre]

I too would like to see the new team set up here in South Aust. With the IRB 7's, much more interest is being shown in the game. The Vodafone Adelaide Black Falcons took on the Melbourne Axemen at the recent weekends pre match game before the Wallabies beat Italy. One local club is spending almost $1m on a club upgrade. The yougsters are booming, and a high profile team based in Adelaide would be a godsend to the local Rugby fraternity. It would also give the young players something of a local target to aim at. The sport would be able to steal many of the GayFL players into the great game of Rugby. As for not being ready, we had one of the worlds greatest sport spectacles (F1 GP) and it was very successful so dont knock SA's enthusiasm or potential.