Rugby News from unexpected places
- Thread starter p.Tah
- Start date
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I agree. I just hope the SARU eventually opens the doors to promotion from the 1st Div to the Premier Div as there's only so far they can develop at that level. Look at the Jaguares XV. They utterly dominated the 1st Div last season. Wasn't even close. They would have earned the right to playoff for promotion if that were available. But it wasn't. Which is a pity.
Beer Baron
Phil Hardcastle (33)
Will they be based there? imagine Georgian clubs sides aren't flush with cash so wondering about the logistics? or big home blocks then away blocks?
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I'd imagine much like the Jaguares XV they'll be based somewhere in SA for the duration of the competition.
LearningCurve
Bill Watson (15)
Not sure if it has been mentioned here but Chris Latham has been named head coach of the Utah Warriors in US MLR. Good opportunity for Latham and increases pathways for coaches.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
And they've just bought another MLR team.
Their move seems a bit crass, though, even for me:
… Loyals LLC has taken immediate control of the franchise and all operations from previous ownership by Austin Herd. The “Gilgronis” are named after a new Texas-sized cocktail, to be released soon.
… <snip> …
Loyals LLC (Loyals Rugby) is a rugby investment company founded in Australia that has invested in rugby globally, including the purchase of Major League Rugby franchises in both Los Angeles and Austin, USA. Loyals Rugby was established to innovate, revolutionise, and enhance the global rugby economy. It engages the world’s best rugby personnel and integrates game-changing concepts from health, fitness and other sports or business to a game that appears to be stagnant. The current global rugby landscape provides an incredible expansion opportunity which Loyals Rugby is excited to explore.
Still, money does exist out there.
Omar Comin'
Chilla Wilson (44)
That's so bad it's almost as if they want the team to fail so they can move it somewhere else.
Though maybe they will stick with the cocktail naming theme and call their LA team the LA Sex on the Beach
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
It really seems like it.
The Austin franchise wasn't managed well previously, so it might have been sold at a basement price. And a move for that licence had been mentioned before.
Another new team is proposed for Dallas, which would make a total of 3 in Texas, so there were rumours of Austin being shifted to, say, Chicago or Ohio. Dunno.
I think the LA operation is separate, though. I'd go for Cake by the Ocean …
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
The Argentinian "XV Pampas" started there as well before Super Rugby.
Look where they are now.
The Argies are also dominating the 1st Division so badly they technically deserve being in the CC itself, where they would probably win it after 2 seasons or so anyway.
Argentina are moving into a position where they can have their own league (2-4 teams) + Brazilian team + Urugay for example.
Georgia is now where Argentina was a decade ago without the national pedigree.
Yet people say SA rugby never does anything for other countries.
It was an SA Journalist from "Die Transvaaler" or that coined the term "Poemas" for Argentina. He misjudged it because it was supposed to be Jaguares. It stuck.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
Sounds rude!
So, you're claiming a boorish fcuk-up - accidentally on purpose - as helping countries now?
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
Sounds rude!
So, you're claiming a boorish fcuk-up - accidentally on purpose - as helping countries now?
Nope. Izak van Heerden
Does not tell it all but gives you an idea. You have also conveniently left out the fact SA has allowed Argentina, Namibia and now Georgia to compete in our domestic competitions.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
Erm, ja, well, … I particularly took notice of this bit:
He was a big, burly man, with a humorous, witty manner, a sharp temper, and a repertoire of ripe language which he used freely in both the classroom and on the rugby field.
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
Are you easily offended by ripe language or a sharp temper?
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Think they may be channelling NY Red Bull from the MLS with the whole naming a team after a product angle. Or at least trying to. There has been suggestion that this may be a sponsorship deal. But apart from the name the release actually details a lot of good plans. Free to play, wholesale price for equipment, flying youth teams nationally to compete, really cheap tickets for families and plenty of game day entertainment. They also stated they plan to build a S&C facility that would be available to the Rugby community.
What's also interesting is the choice of coach. Mick Byrne.
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
Fair enough. Was only asking, "mate".
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
"Mate" and "myt" have the same sound / pronunciation. Therefore "mate" is known around here but explicitly not used. "Myt" is a derogatory term for a black woman - usually someone to clean the kitchen but generally applies to any black woman.
Anyway, this is a Rugby site, best we focus on that.
Omar Comin'
Chilla Wilson (44)
Red Bull is an established sports brand though and even if the brand didn't exist 'red bull' would be a lot better than a newly invented word. This team has had 3 of the worst sporting names I've ever heard to be honest, no wonder they've struggled to attract fans. Hopefully all the other stuff can make up for it and who knows, maybe the name grows on people or leads to a better nickname or something. I think it's more likely to change though (or the team will move and rebrand then).
And yeah Mick Byrne is a very interesting signing as coach. This group clearly has decent money behind it.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Someone has just posted something very interesting on Reddit regarding where the name Gilroni comes from. And if true may shed some light on at least one of the investors in the venture is. A pretty well known bloke.
Edit: So the name was Adam Gilchrist. But apparently its not him. Just someone who shares the name.