Future of international rugby.

[Ignoto]

You are competing with far less for eye balls being the start of the NRL and AFL seasons. I

At the same time, you will be pushing potentially a less attractive competition (Super Rugby) to compete against with NRL + AFL which may ultimately result in even less eyeballs watching the sport even if there is an uplift at the start of the season with the Wallabies.

I would also say, by pushing the internationals to the start of the season you will have a less polished product as the players will be coming from Offseason and needing prep.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think Super Rugby can do similar to what it currently does alongside other comps. It's watched by Rugby fans and no really any casuals. I get what your'e saying through.

The Wallabies drive the sports interest in Aus.

 

[Strewthcobber]

The Wallabies drive the sports interest in Aus.

The danger would be the quality of Wallaby games in February, with no matches leading in to it at all, could lead to a loss of interest in the Wallabies.

SA and Argies, as examples would be mid URC/Top 14 season.

And then lets discuss rugby in Feb. Wet and hot (at least in Brisbane and Sydney) is not a great combination for spectacle

 

[Braveheart81]

Yeah, I'm not sure it's a net positive. It will largely come down to whether they can sell the same amount of tickets to the big test matches in my view.

A lot of people are (fairly reasonably) looking for the upside of having more casual fans watching the game on TV but I think now more than ever the key is people buying tickets to attend games and subscribing to Stan.

I think the value/benefit of casual fans watching on FTA TV because they have nothing better to do is at an all time low.

 

[Wilson]

If the RC shifts does Super AU run at the same time as a super pre-season, or is that too close to the proper comp? Feels like it would probably be good to have

And are test players getting a week or two off at the start of super proper, or is there another weeks gap needed for it to work?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

They wouldn't do it but you can start imagine a Pro D3. Top 14 to 10 and the D2 currently has 16. Push them to 10 and have a D3 of 10...

Rich owners wouldn't like the idea of increased risk of dropping but it would shrink the number of games immediately.

That would push Nationale down which is essentially their 3rd tier pro league at present.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Notwithstanding the issues with test rugby in February, you could fit a full home and away round of Super Rugby in between the test windows

 

[Dan54]

Notwithstanding the issues with test rugby in February, you could fit a full home and away round of Super Rugby in between the test windows

View attachment 23461

I like it if it could work, but could you actually still get 2 super rounds in between probably April and July or even August? A RC takes 2 months, so you would have to start it without test players if we want to finish before incoming July tests, or do SH just drop out the new Nations cup? I not sure how it would work without NH moving the start of their club season back a bit to let the July tests be played a bit later?

 

[Dan54]

I don't mind that timing at all. You are competing with far less for eye balls being the start of the NRL and AFL seasons. It's a shame Wallaby Tests are swamped at this time of year. The big games v NZ and SA should drag in the casual sports fan. Also a comfortable time of year for the fan.

Push Super Rugby back a bit which would line up with the Club seasons and then go into Super Rugby Aus.

All being looked at as a bias Wallabies view.

Well it should be looked at from a Wallaby bias from both RA and from here which is a Aus forum, no probs with that at all.

 

[Strewthcobber]

I like it if it could work, but could you actually still get 2 super rounds in between probably April and July or even August? A RC takes 2 months, so you would have to start it without test players if we want to finish before incoming July tests, or do SH just drop out the new Nations cup? I not sure how it would work without NH moving the start of their club season back a bit to let the July tests be played a bit later?

Have a look at the graph. For it to work It would clash with NPC.

Nations Cup is played in the July and November test windows

 

[Dan54]

Have a look at the graph. For it to work It would clash with NPC.

Nations Cup is played in the July and November test windows

Ok, I hadn't seen the graph. But if they really want tests in Feb/March perhaps the Super may have to be shortened?? Perhaps 1 round and finals?
I still have no probs with Waugh pushing the idea forward, but I think the first thing to work on is playing in the heat as I not sure playing the game in quarter as they do in heat is great in test matches. Also we have to consider what works for SA and Argentina, as they may well have preferences.
It's not something that will happen before 2031 I think, as Waugh is also talking about tours for RC 2027-29.
Good they look at things in my mind.

 

[Wilson]

Notwithstanding the issues with test rugby in February, you could fit a full home and away round of Super Rugby in between the test windows

View attachment 23461

Full home and away for super means test players would start to run afoul of that max 30 games per season, but if they respect the no more than 6 games in a row it'll probably help a bit.

 

[Dan54]

Just on the games going forward etc, and I admit I like the idea of tours etc. Another thing I just been noticing when we talk of Bledisloe being over 3 matches instead of 2, I haven't heard (or read) anyone say, "oh hell I wish we had another Bledisloe test this week". I had a quick look at results over last 10-15 years or so, and I not seeing very many years where there was a 1-1 result, even allowing for years when there were 3 tests.
I do genuinely think it risks losing it's appeal perhaps more than it is here in NZ at least with too many games. And as shown in Perth on weekend , a bloody great crowd is there even when the Bled is not up for grabs.

 

[Omar Comin']

Just on the games going forward etc, and I admit I like the idea of tours etc. Another thing I just been noticing when we talk of Bledisloe being over 3 matches instead of 2, I haven't heard (or read) anyone say, "oh hell I wish we had another Bledisloe test this week". I had a quick look at results over last 10-15 years or so, and I not seeing very many years where there was a 1-1 result, even allowing for years when there were 3 tests.
I do genuinely think it risks losing it's appeal perhaps more than it is here in NZ at least with too many games. And as shown in Perth on weekend , a bloody great crowd is there even when the Bled is not up for grabs.

I agree that 3rd game dead rubbers aren't great, especially if they're frequent, but the problem with the current structure is that there's often 2nd game dead rubbers! I think it'd be better if 2 game series were decided on aggregate, or through a special extra time period / tie breaker after the 2nd game if it's 1-1. The 2nd game needs to have jeopardy.

 

[Giulia]

Just on the games going forward etc, and I admit I like the idea of tours etc. Another thing I just been noticing when we talk of Bledisloe being over 3 matches instead of 2, I haven't heard (or read) anyone say, "oh hell I wish we had another Bledisloe test this week". I had a quick look at results over last 10-15 years or so, and I not seeing very many years where there was a 1-1 result, even allowing for years when there were 3 tests.
I do genuinely think it risks losing it's appeal perhaps more than it is here in NZ at least with too many games. And as shown in Perth on weekend , a bloody great crowd is there even when the Bled is not up for grabs.

I'd go watch South Africa in Melbourne in 2026 over New Zealand for the 3rd time in 5 years

 

[Dan54]

I'd go watch South Africa in Melbourne in 2026 over New Zealand for the 3rd time in 5 years

Exactly my point! I am same but obviously the other way around. The most exciting news I had in rugby last year or so was that the Boks were going to be in Wellington this year, and was even pleased France was there so went down to 2 tests.
Don't get me wrong, in no way anti Wallaby thing, just I struggle with same ol, same ol.

 

[Tomthumb]

Exactly my point! I am same but obviously the other way around. The most exciting news I had in rugby last year or so was that the Boks were going to be in Wellington this year, and was even pleased France was there so went down to 2 tests.
Don't get me wrong, in no way anti Wallaby thing, just I struggle with same ol, same ol.

But you don't want an Anzac Test

 

[Dan54]

But you don't want an Anzac Test

No,not really, as above mate, it's just another test between ABs and Wallabies. It's not new, just a different marketing approach.

 

[Tomthumb]

No,not really, as above mate, it's just another test between ABs and Wallabies. It's not new, just a different marketing approach.

Which is exactly what this NZ vs South Africa thing is

 

[Dan54]

Which is exactly what this NZ vs South Africa thing is

Yep, but going back to having tours is the big thing that I enjoying, it's going back to old style.
I will also say, I glad we only doing every 4 years, I don't want them every year, that would also become same ol, same ol , after a few years.
Man imagine if we had a WC thing every year, it would be a yawn, even if every second one.
Why are Lion's tours so bloody popular? Because they happen once every 4 years, and each country only get's them once every 12 years.
See my point? Even Super could do with once every couple of years if it could work, though that would be harder to do etc.