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I'd imagine the TT comp would be more popular with fans than Super. But I'm interested in this idea that we'd be somehow subservient. What do you mean by that? Like SANZAAR I'd imagine it's an equal partnership. I bloody hate SANZAAR, but I don't see how we're at all subservient in that agreement.

In what way would we be subservient? If it's a better commercial prospect for RA (likely), a better standard of rugby (certain), and more popular with fans (likely), then I can't see how it won't improve our playing calibre compared to a local comp.

And as the weekend showed, it will just be heaps better rugby.

You'd assume Fox would have done some sort of cost/benefit modelling on rugby though. I see the arguments raised above but there has to be some data that suggests the loss of subscribers wouldn't be greater than the $$$ outlay to pay for the rights.

So from reading both Geerob in the SMH and Harris in the Guardian, the picture seems to be a little clearer. There is no TV money flowing in from Fox, Optus or anyone. Some will call it bad luck, others bad tactics, but regardless we won't be signing a big deal with anyone for the next TV...

Seems like there's a chance of Kayo/Fox coming to the party: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/foxtel-rugby-australia-deal-imminent-but-fans-in-dark-over-nz-games-20200610-p5512i.html

QH I don't know why you are struggling with the concept that rugby fans, starved of the game for three months, are disappointed to learn they can't watch the rugby when it restarts this weekend.

Papworth and Poido are insiders to their core, and can be put in the same basket as the 10 skippers. Their views have hardly been ignored. I actually know for a fact that when Papworth was in full flight a few years ago, Bill Pulver invited him to spend a week at RA HQ, going through the...

And that's fair enough. But nonetheless I think they have some value to NZ, beyond what they have within their own borders. There is a chance that they may be better able to support a professional competition with us, rather than without us.

Our population base. Our corporate $$$. Potential increase in TV revenue. Expat base in lucrative foreign markets. Provincial teams with established brands and histories. Our history as rivals. I agree we aren't in a strong bargaining position, but we do have things in our favour.

Is there a ray of light shining through here we need to acknowledge? Let me lay out the case for optimism here, even though it might be a generous interpretation of events: 1. We will get plenty of rugby in 2020, including a new internal comp (which includes the Force) and at least a few...

I have a friend who works at the AFL who has been told they will be cutting at least 25% of their current staff. This isn't so much a 'rugby in turmoil' story as a 'sport in turmoil' story. Cricket Australia is doing the same. I feel for all of the people involved.

So this game is on Kayo as a classic package, along with the rest of the 2016 Spring Tour. I thoroughly recommend watching. I forgot about this game, but it's a top 5 Cheika Wallaby performance IMO, maybe even top 3 (behind England RWC15 and Perth Bled 2019). We just thumped Wales. Never...

Justin Harrison springs to mind, but why would it be in RUPA's interest to have players walk out, damage the game and potentially reduce their membership base?

Maybe, but the Rays had at least four years (off the top of my head) and never got close to reaching the support levels you might think they would be able to achieve. So it might be hypothetically possible to develop, but you'd need 7-10 years at least. And I'm not sure we can afford that.

But the case of the Rays was still indicative. Here was the golden triangle - Norths, Warringah, Manly. Three big Shute Shield clubs that all could point to big crowds in the past. Heartland areas with strong junior clubs too. If any NRC team could pull a big crowd, it was this one. But they...

They tried that in Sydney in the first NRC. The Rays were north, Rams in the west, Stars in town and Country for the regions. The clubs and club fans didn't embrace their new rep sides, sadly. Now there were many reasons why that happened, but I suspect another go at that format would yield a...

Phillip, Koro and Kellaway are the only three that would really annoy me if they left. Kellaway and Phillip feel like they are on the cusp of a Wallaby breakthrough, which surely has to count for something.

I present to you - the Renegades XV 1. Moore 2. Kearns (c) 3. George Smith (been in a good paddock post retirement) 4. Sharpe 5. Harrison 6. McCall 7. Poidevin 8. Izack Rodda 9. Gregan 10. Lynagh (who will withdraw on match eve) 11. Campo 12. Papworth 13. Mortlock 14. Farr-Jones 15. Isaac Lucas

No, I was just making a joke. I agree with Braveheart though. Don't mind a few Sevens players being involved, but what if we lose Mo Longbottom because Taniela Tupou breaks three of his ribs in a tackle? Some of the Sevens guys aren't built for 15s.