Media alert: Australian rugby union to announce major decision on the future of rugby

[Army_Gav]

From next year, it will most likely be 2 games against each opponent, home and away. So Brisbane: Boks, Sydney: ABs, Melbourne: Pumas ?

 

[Jets]

From next year, it will most likely be 2 games against each opponent, home and away. So Brisbane: Boks, Sydney: ABs, Melbourne: Pumas ?

I don't think so. I thought when the Puma's joined it would just be home and away.

 

[darkhorse]

I don't think so. I thought when the Puma's joined it would just be home and away.

Isn't that what gav said?

 

[waratahjesus]

i think there was talk of an extra game outside of the tri nations against the blacks as both sides are struggling financially.

are the pumas actually really confirmed, there was still a worry they wouldnt be able to supply there best team which was a condition of joining due to most of there players playing in europe.

 

[Sully]

It was never anything but a chance for more income. And they never hid the fact that it was!

 

[waratahjesus]

Even with a roof that stadium is still shit. Unless they demolish one side and rebuild it so that the stands are closer it will always be shit for sports using a rectangular field.

The money would be better spent upgrading the SFS. Get it up to 55,000+ (or a bit more) and it would be a very decent stadium - not too big, not too small.

you need to read the article, not just look at the picture, its about them bringing the stands closer in.

 

[DPK]

are the pumas actually really confirmed, there was still a worry they wouldnt be able to supply there best team which was a condition of joining due to most of there players playing in europe.

I'm fairly certain that the IRB opened up another International window that covers both hemispheres to facilitate the expansion of the TriNations to include the Pumas- I'll have to trawl back through threads to find the article though.

 

[DPK]

Here it is:

Argentina set to join new SANZAR Four Nations competition in 2012
May 13, 2010 - 9:30am
Story by: SANZAR

The team known by their countrymen as "Los Pumas"

SANZAR have today welcomed the decision of the IRB Council to change the player availability regulation marking a major step towards Argentina’s national team, Los Pumas, participating in a new SANZAR Four Nations competition from 2012.

The decision by the IRB Council today to alter IRB Regulation 9 which governs the release of players for international duty, greatly assists in meeting the condition set by SANZAR that Argentina was required to secure the availability of its best players to participate in the Four Nations tournament.

The change will ensure that the release period for the new Four Nations (currently Tri Nations) aligns with the new dates for the competition from late August through until early October.

In September 2009, SANZAR issued an invitation to the Pumas to join the SANZAR competition from 2012 subject to several conditions which have now been resolved. Negotiation of a participation agreement with the UAR remains the last hurdle for inauguration of the new competition.

“This is an exciting step for SANZAR and for world rugby, as it confirms Argentina’s participation in a top-flight rugby competition, which they thoroughly deserve, and will add a dynamic new element to the current Tri Nations, which is already regarded as one of the world’s toughest tournaments,” said SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew.

“We now need to finalise a participation agreement with the UAR so we can move to full planning for the introduction of Argentina in 2012,” he said.

The IRB confirmed in March that it would match SANZAR and provide a significant investment of US$2.5m per annum from 2012 to 2015.

SANZAR has also confirmed today that the three SANZAR Unions and their Super Rugby teams will work with the UAR to look at providing greater opportunities for Argentinean players to play in Super Rugby teams as part of the lead-up to the new Four Nations.

 

[kiap]

you need to read the article, not just look at the picture, its about them bringing the stands closer in.

It is only the small end stands they are talking about there, behind the goal lines. The vast bulk of spectators will still be a mile away from the action.

 

[cyclopath]

It is only the small end stands they are talking about there, behind the goal lines. The vast bulk of spectators will still be a mile away from the action.

Yeah, and laterally, the stands are so "flat" so that the higher you go, you really end up miles back, plus the significant distance from stands to sideline. Just not purpose built for rugby codes or soccer.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

It's fine if you are on the lower deck, it's only an issue if you're in the nosebleeds

 

[Langthorne]

You guys do realise we are the #2 team in the world, right?

Um, you do realise this thread is about an ARU announcement of "a major decision relating to the future of rugby"?

'Wallabies' is not the same as 'rugby in Australia', it is only a part of it (albeit an important one).

Are you trying to say that the Wallabies are second therefore job done for the Wallabies? or the Wallabies are second therefore job done for the ARU? or all is rosy for rugby in Australia? nothing left to improve here, please move along?

 

[daz]

Um, you do realise this thread is about an ARU announcement of "a major decision relating to the future of rugby"?

'Wallabies' is not the same as 'rugby in Australia', it is only a part of it (albeit an important one).

Are you trying to say that the Wallabies are second therefore job done for the Wallabies? or the Wallabies are second therefore job done for the ARU? or all is rosy for rugby in Australia? nothing left to improve here, please move along?

Not at all. I would never be happy for any organisation to stand still; that path leads to stagnation and failure.

I was merely attempting to balance out some of the comments such as (with all due respect to RH):

Could it be a real breakthrough: this group will announce that it will actually take responsibility, and accept accountability, on a measurable basis, for achieving some top level results for the endlessly patient Australian rugby fans?

My argument being that being ranked #2/#3 over the last few years seems to indicate some consistent top level results already. I was addressing the comments which were Wallaby related. I have no opinion on the other part of the question, which is Australian rugby in general. Obviously I did not make that sufficiently clear.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

So does anyone have any idea how much more money this decision will make the ARU? And if it significant enough what do you think are the chances it would manifest itself into something worthwhile in terms of actual grassroots development.

 

[I like to watch]

Nil chance of $$ flowing down to grassroots!

 

[Slim 293]

There will be plenty of money flowing into the grassroots...

If you're talking about JON's backyard...

*boom tish*

 

[Sully]

That would depend on whether they manage to fill a space that the locals clearly dislike! Sounds like they will struggle to fill it. So it may yield nothing! I know I won't be going out of my way to go. I dislike Sydney at the best of times! Way too fast for a boy from outback Queensland.

 

[Slim 293]

I'm not sure if they do this for every game...

But when I went to the Tahs v Brumbies game out there last year it was great... although the game was total crap...

Bill Young's pub (which is in walking distance from the ground) had barely legal young pretty girls in the tiniest of shorts, and skimpiest Brumbies' polo shirts serving free food all night (before AND after the game!)...

 

[kiap]

Looks like the AFL have trumped everything anyway:

The AFL has announced its massive broadcast rights deals, to reap more than $1.25 billion for the nation's leading sport organisation over the five years from 2011-2016.

For those who can afford pay-TV, the deal is a boon, with Fox Sports to provide live coverage of every game, except the grand final, uninterrupted by advertisements.

...

link

Foxtel subscription fees might be going up...

 

[Slim 293]

Well, Foxtel are going to launch a new 24 hour AFL channel which will cost extra to subscribe to...