easier said then done isn't it.... Private Equity have no interest in funding a new, largely experimental competition in a market where the code is dwindling andit's two predecessor competitions have failed. RA have already made an approach to market for PE and was met with little interest.
Hmmm, it's as if we need a billionaire willing to take a swing to improve something in Australia.
Just say we'll name each side after one of his businesses. Hell, I'll glue 21mm studs to the bottom of some Craftsman's if it will help.
The problem I have is that we have had the chance to do something about this when the situation was not as dire - but found excuses, reluctance or ennui without energy to act. So we are now here. Do we keep to the same ennui without action as the trend continues?
Adam , Ghost and others.
The existing model we have in Super Rugby, does not work and can't be fixed no matter how much re-organising is attempted.
What is our model so we can define it.
The Governing body of Rugby in Australia as accepted by the international rugby board, along with partner nations governing bodies mostly NZ rugby, run the competition in Australia.
Within the Australian context the governing body of rugby in Australia is supported by the various state unions. The most important unions in NSW & QLD and arguably ACT unions run their teams in Super Rugby.
This model has been in decline for at least 15 years I would argue longer.
Dru, correctly pointed out we have failed to act when in a better position, despite south bound trend.
Why we failed to act is complex, and it's across many levels, it crosses many little chieftains, lots of ego's effected etc.
Australian rugby needs a new operating model, our competition in Australia long ago separated their clubs competitions from their national bodies, NRL, AFL & A-L, there models do vary between them. Across the global Indian cricket competitions, European or say world football, in the US NFL, MBL, NBL, Hockey & MLS all have similar but different models.
The refusal to face up to and then determine and argue for a new operating model has brought us to this point.
As I see it, we need Super Rugby to survive 4 to 7 years with the main objective to maintain the existing player base .
What the chosen model will be is open for debate, argument and needs to command not demand this is the way to go.
Otherwise Dru is 100% correct, we will slowly fade away.