Australian Rugby / RA

[Lindommer]

Homebush is supposed to be knocked down some time in the middle of this year (July?). The NRL have asked that date to be pushed back so's they can have some sort of isolation comp stationed there with hotels and a few playing fields nearby.

 

[Braveheart81]

If the money dies from the WBs, then it dies for Super as much as a domestic alternative. Did you actually read what I wrote?

Yes, I read what you wrote. I'm unsure why you think a domestic competition would be a revenue generator.

The Wallabies will continue being a revenue generator. We clearly need to find a new option as the tier below that but I think Micheal's point is valid that the money available to pay players will be much lower unless we have a lot of external funding (private owners willing to lose money). A broadcast deal and ticket sales isn't going to come close to making it self sufficient to any reasonable professional level.

I think this is the route we will be going down but I think there needs to be an expectation that it is going to require a lot of private funding to be viable.

 

[half]

I think this is the route we will be going down but I think there needs to be an expectation that it is going to require a lot of private funding to be viable.

There was a poster on GGR who suggested we start looking for private investors a tad over two years ago!!!!! he was roundly criticised, the same poster also years ago said Super Rugby would not work and to change.

The same poster even suggested we copy US franchise models. Wonders aloud who that poster was ???????

Just maybe as predicted its has been far more dangerous to sit and hope things turn around rather than take the bit between our teeth and try and make it happen.

As an aside rugby will never disappear, even in the worst case it will still be around the issue is what part of the totem pole will it be on.

Question without notice, to the world outside we must seem like a rabble and in a state of constant chaos driven by ego's and often self interest. What needs to change to bring the constant toxic negativity to an end????

 

[Derpus]

There was a poster on GGR who suggested we start looking for private investors a tad over two years ago!!!!! he was roundly criticised, the same poster also years ago said Super Rugby would not work and to change.

The same poster even suggested we copy US franchise models. Wonders aloud who that poster was ???????

Just maybe as predicted its has been far more dangerous to sit and hope things turn around rather than take the bit between our teeth and try and make it happen.

As an aside rugby will never disappear, even in the worst case it will still be around the issue is what part of the totem pole will it be on.

Question without notice, to the world outside we must seem like a rabble and in a state of constant chaos driven by ego's and often self interest. What needs to change to bring the constant toxic negativity to an end????

Success, probably.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Only occasionally when Credlin would let him, and then not very well.

Yes Malcolm

 

[Quick Hands]

There might be some value in having an informal sounding board of former greats of the game. But it is ludicrous to believe that anything formal and binding would ever be a possibility. No director worth anything at all would want to be dictated to by unelected "experts", especially when it would obviously be on the basis of the dry-cleaners' proviso: "all care and no responsibilty".

So, unelected board members wouldn't want to be dictated to by unelected experts. The irony Wamberal, the irony.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Homebush is supposed to be knocked down some time in the middle of this year (July?). The NRL have asked that date to be pushed back so's they can have some sort of isolation comp stationed there with hotels and a few playing fields nearby.

Correct me if I am wrong. But there is to be no "Knock Down" of Homebush just a refirb.

And only then after SFS was up and running,

 

[Quick Hands]

The story for a long time has been that Super costs money doesn’t earn it. The story goes that all income is from the WBs. A domestic comp, on its own, does little to impact WB earnings. OTOH a domestic 2nd tier might have a chance at earning money, or at least losing less than Super does.

Those who want us tied to SANZAAR because they say a domestic competition won't make money have never been able to explain your point

 

[Quick Hands]

Correct me if I am wrong. But there is to be no "Knock Down" of Homebush just a refirb.

And only then after SFS was up and running,

Work on Homebush was due to begin in June 2020 after the league SOO games. SFS not ready until early to mid 2022 (they're making up time during the lockdown as they don't have to take days off for games at SCG)

SFS due to host league SOO in 2022. Leaguies will use SCG or Bankwest for big games 2nd half of this year and in 2021.

League grand final and SOO this year will be at Bankwest.

 

[half]

Question without notice, to the world outside we must seem like a rabble and in a state of constant chaos driven by ego's and often self interest. What needs to change to bring the constant toxic negativity to an end????

Success, probably.

Disagree, you first have to define success.

BTW my track record is not half bad, I have yet to see a prediction I have made often years in advance not come true. Meaning I believe I am entitled to maybe some acceptance I have been right.

Last Wednesday [post 7979] I posted we lack leadership, version and someone to lead the conversation.

To this end with so many ego's and self interested groups lining up as they all know the solution I suggested we needed to change the way our governance systems are established and run. Further to do this we needed to change the make up the RA board and how that board is elected. My suggestion while not cast in stone pertaining to who and the numbers but the principal behind it is needed.

In the post I suggested the following and I think its maybe our last hope especially if we want private investors.

Copied in part from my earlier post..."""" you need say 65% of the vote to be elected to the board. Further each voting group must have at least one woman in the voting group.

Who can vote.

Players Union 3 votes
NSW Union 3 votes
QLD union 3 votes
ACT Union 2 votes
Club Rugby 2 votes [Sydney / Brisbane competitions]
Other Unions 2 votes
Country Rugby 2 votes
Officials 3 votes i.e. refs, lines-people
Women's game 3 votes
Former Wallaby Captains 4 votes
Super Rugby or whatever professional teams we have 5 votes.

That's 32 votes across 11 stakeholder groups. You need 21 votes to get a seat meaning no power block can get their people in.

The idea is this group could elect a board to develop rugby, not try and protect their own positions and power-bases.

That's my idea to fix the board."""""

 

[Quick Hands]

Yes, I read what you wrote. I'm unsure why you think a domestic competition would be a revenue generator.

He doesn't think it will be a revenue generator, but neither is Super Rugby so it's revenue neutral either way.

 

[cyclopath]

He doesn't think it will be a revenue generator, but neither is Super Rugby so it's revenue neutral either way.

True. Problem is the known revenues are gonna be something of an x-factor going forward from now.
No match revenues this year (probably - but you never know); TV rights in limbo not to mention the RA catshag at the moment. RA depending on the WR (World Rugby) bailout money for now. Shrinking to smallness.
I think, going forward they are going to be stumbling around somewhat more in the dark than ever.
I'll be impressed if they can come up with a practical model of a comp in the next 12-18 months to replace Super Rugby. A loss making comp will probably need to lose less going forward, if you know what I mean.
I hope they can.
Super Rugby seems like a cat that won't bounce no more.

 

[Braveheart81]

He doesn't think it will be a revenue generator, but neither is Super Rugby so it's revenue neutral either way.

A reasonable portion of the current broadcast revenue is derived through overseas interest.

It follows that if we have a lower quality domestic only competition that there will be far less interest in it from Europe.

That is what we would need to replace on a per team basis to be able to offer comparable wages.

If we are trying to fund more local teams (and therefore more players), a larger pool of money will be required.

 

[kiap]

That is what we would need to replace on a per team basis to be able to offer comparable wages.

I think that dream is over - and pretty much regardless of whether (or how) the Super format improves.

Revenue isn't keeping up with costs.

RA looking ahead will be putting their deposits in belief (®obbie 2014) on a World League 2.0, Lions and perhaps a RWC to refloat the boat. The soup will be dragging it down.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

It did, but I don't think it would be workable on a wider scale if you want to continue to compete internationally (trans-Tasman and Tests). Within a comp like GRR, no problem at all and a good place to try things. As they did with NRC at times.

I guess my point is rugby needs to challenge that sort of thinking, as I think for a domestic competition it is viable (assuming we are heading down that path). I really do feel we need to be more open to ideas of law variations introduced by GRR. Nothing should not be on the table for discussion is my view If you want to be serious to turn the ship and alter the course. Past experience shown tinkering around the edges won’t cut it.

 

[KOB1987]

I think is going to be an ironically tremendous opportunity for Aussie rugby. Indications are that a domestic comp will kick off July 1, and then hopefully that will culminate with a short TT series, and then into it the Bledisloe and even, they are still saying, 2 tests v Ireland. There could and should be some PI involvement in all of this as well.

The kicker is that while this is all going on rugby in the NH will still likely be shutdown and the broadcasters are going to be looking for content and therefore will pay for it.

Beyond that, Super Rugby will still exist, it just won’t include Argentina and South Africa and will be called something else, and will include the PI nations. I’m actually a little bit excited.

 

[Quick Hands]

A reasonable portion of the current broadcast revenue is derived through overseas interest.

It follows that if we have a lower quality domestic only competition that there will be far less interest in it from Europe.

That is what we would need to replace on a per team basis to be able to offer comparable wages.

If we are trying to fund more local teams (and therefore more players), a larger pool of money will be required.

Whether it's super rugby or a domestic model I think that the wages will be lower. Super Rugby isn't financially viable and is becoming less so as crowds and TV viewers decline. Long term I think a local domestic competition will be more financially viable and the talent pool isn't necessarily as small as some people think. For example just as the NRL can sign players from the islands and NZ, so will a domestic competition. Of course the major talent is going to be offshore, but that's going to happen regardless of whether it's super rugby or domestic as the wages on offer won't be able to compete with Europe.

One of the things which makes sport entertaining to watch on TV is full stadia and enthusiastic partisan supporters. Super rugby just doesn't do that and as the standard of play has also declined I'm not sure that it's that much more desirable.

 

[Adam84]

He doesn't think it will be a revenue generator, but neither is Super Rugby so it's revenue neutral either way.

There’s a difference between revenue and profit...

Super rugby generates tens of $millions in revenue which contributes to paying wages and development costs, any alternative to super rugby needs to generate as much revenue(minus international travel costs) to offset the loss of this competition.

 

[Quick Hands]

I think is going to be an ironically tremendous opportunity for Aussie rugby. Indications are that a domestic comp will kick off July 1, and then hopefully that will culminate with a short TT series, and then into it the Bledisloe and even, they are still saying, 2 tests v Ireland. There could and should be some PI involvement in all of this as well.

The kicker is that while this is all going on rugby in the NH will still likely be shutdown and the broadcasters are going to be looking for content and therefore will pay for it.

Beyond that, Super Rugby will still exist, it just won’t include Argentina and South Africa and will be called something else, and will include the PI nations. I’m actually a little bit excited.

I agree, except for the Super Rugby bit, it needs to go completely.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Channel 10 aren't happy, Optus aren't coming back to the table this year, and GRob describes Faux as RA's "loyal partner" lol:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...aster-over-castles-departure-as-talks-delayed

So when RA have no option but to accept Faux's heavily reduced offer, what then? Are there any other potential bidders to at least drive the price up a little?