Recent content by barbarian

It's an interesting hypothetical. But I don't think there's the audience or commercial base for such a league to succeed anywhere in rugby. Outside of New Zealand it is a second-tier sport just about everywhere it's played. So the idea that someone, somewhere can stand up an EPL/NBA...

Really? I see it as yet another attempt for Saudi/UAE oil money to infiltrate sport for their own ends. They are doing the same here that they've done in most other sports. I don't think WR (World Rugby)'s administrative success (or lack thereof) has much to do with it.

Comps could be stronger, but I don't think there's a scenario where Super Rugby ever pays the $$$ that these blokes are offering. So it would still loom as a threat just on the dollars.

I don't think the source of objection here is the Saudi backing. As you say if they want to fund World Rugby or host a World Cup or something then I'd be broadly fine with it. The fact that their proposed competition is a dog's breakfast that could destroy a lot of club competitions is a far...

Surely they were just a little bit tempted to pick Heinz Lemoto and cap him off the bench for Australia A before he jets off to France...

Now you see everyone lining up for a spot on the gravy train before it leaves the station. Ex-managers, coaches, journos, admins, all happy to spruik this bullshit competition provided they are adequately compensated. But who could blame them! Hell if the Saudi's offered me a million bucks I'd...

Wales put out a statement saying similar things, although not quite as forceful in their language.

Well for 6 teams you need at least 180 players, maybe 200. Now every other union has come out and prevented national selection, I reckon a scenario where RA acquiesced could see 40 players go, maybe 50? Even then they have to find another 130-140 players from somewhere, which is no small task...

Certainly no escape clauses in their player contracts

No, I mean in the hypothetical scenario where RA sanctions R360. Every man and his dog would be on the plane to King Abdullah Economic City, boots in one hand, champagne flute in the other.

Sure, but the impact on Super Rugby can't be ignored here. What is the impact of RA saying 'hey guys, we'll pick you for the Wallabies from R360 so you can have your cake AND eat it too!'. The impact that would have, I imagine, would be forcing the signature of every Aussie player with a...

This goes to my issue with picking international players in general. We've seen it with the Skelton experience. He's here, then he's not, then he's back, now he might go again. It works for a one-off series like a Lions or a World Cup but impossible to build cohesion outside of that. Now we're...

Phil Waugh has talked to Mike Tindall, I believe. He said as much in an interview recently. So I don't think RA are uninformed about the competition. I think R360's comments about players being free to play internationally is a bit disingenuous. What if a test clashes with a R360 round? What...

But RA don't want this to happen, nobody does. There is absolutely no benefit to them in it going ahead. So surely now is the time to try and knock it on the head. Sitting back and being non-committal about it will only see more players sign on. My understanding is that players are currently...

I'd be wary of getting too enthusiastic about the impact on NRL. It's like laughing at the bloke next to you on the plane as it plummets to the ground. Nobody is getting out of this unscathed.