Taranaki apply for SupeRugby

[PaarlBok]

http://trfu.co.nz/itmcup/news-item.asp?type=AirNZCup&id=590

TRFU FRANCHISE STATEMENT
The Taranaki Rugby Football Union will be submitting an expression of interest to the New Zealand Rugby Union with regard to ownership of a Super Rugby franchise.
Careful consideration has been given to entering this process, and Taranaki Rugby only does so with the best interests of New Zealand rugby at heart. However Taranaki Rugby has ambitions to host a Super Rugby franchise, and has the business model, as well as the financial and public support to do so.
Taranaki Rugby’s first preference for entry into Super Rugby is by way of expansion of the competition and believes that with the right competition structures in place, this is a realistic opportunity.
Taranaki Rugby also understands the broad rationale under-pinning the current geographical arrangements are in the interests of New Zealand rugby. That said, if any existing franchise host was unable to promote a model that was acceptable to the NZRU, then Taranaki is ready and able to be considered.
Taranaki Rugby believes the current model of 19 professional and semi-professional teams is unsustainable. We believe there should be an expansion in the number of Super teams, balanced by a significant reduction in the salary cap for payments to players in the current ITM Cup. This would allow an ambitious Union like Taranaki to become a franchise host, while reducing the overall costs to New Zealand rugby, and hopefully eliminating the problems currently being experienced by the Otago Rugby Union.
As stated previously, Taranaki Rugby will submit an expression of interest with the best interests of New Zealand rugby in mind, and would be positioned to host a franchise should an opportunity arise in 2013, or at some point beyond.

 

[spooony]

Let me see here we have 2 teams. One from NZ and one from South Africa where both of them are not good enough to play in their countries respective Top Tier competition or devision because their league position is to low to earn promotion.

So to get their claws on some of the 36 percent and 31 percent out of a 580 million dollars that Newscorp paid each respective Rugby Union they decide to make a franchise, skip promotion and do not bother to qualify for the Currie Cup or NPC of NZ and play against Super 15 franchises that you struggle to beat when you play their C teams. In The Kings case they lost 88 -0 to The Golden Lions.........

 

[Schadenfreude]

Results aren't important. You can buy players / coaches.

 

[spooony]

Results aren't important. You can buy players / coaches.

With what money.

 

[Linebacker_41]

Interesting whether this is for a 6th NZ team or an opportunistic move to relocate the Highlanders license to set up the 5th Franchise out of New Plymouth.

Taranaki certainly have the knowledge base in their ranks now with Colin Cooper their Head Coach. I believe that there were a number of administration/performance staff who left the Hurricanes/Wellington Lions to go back "home" to Taranaki.

Business wise it is great timing from the province with SA pushing for their 6th team it would only leave Oz to find another team for their conference. JON may just get his wish of getting an Asian entrant in the Australian conference sooner rather than later.

 

[p.Tah]

JON may just get his wish of getting an Asian entrant in the Australian conference sooner rather than later.

Sounds like they could put it in Cabramatta. That's Asia and Western Sydney in one go

http://www.sydney-australia.biz/cabramatta/

 

[p.Tah]

JON may just get his wish of getting an Asian entrant in the Australian conference sooner rather than later.

Sounds like they could put it in Cabramatta. That's Asia and Western Sydney in one go

http://www.sydney-australia.biz/cabramatta/

 

[meatsack]

I think they're not seriously looking to get added in 2013. I think its just a 'heads up' / 'foot in the door' to make sure the NZRU know how serious they are when the competition next expands in 3-5 years time. I mean, if you saw the Cape team getting all this free press and you ran a province wouldn't you want it too? They know the NZRU can't afford it straight away, especially with the Otago situation (and I don't think the NZRU would give up on that area).

 

[PaarlBok]

Interesting whether this is for a 6th NZ team or an opportunistic move to relocate the Highlanders license to set up the 5th Franchise out of New Plymouth.

Taranaki certainly have the knowledge base in their ranks now with Colin Cooper their Head Coach. I believe that there were a number of administration/performance staff who left the Hurricanes/Wellington Lions to go back "home" to Taranaki.

Business wise it is great timing from the province with SA pushing for their 6th team it would only leave Oz to find another team for their conference. JON may just get his wish of getting an Asian entrant in the Australian conference sooner rather than later.

Yep they sure will have the backing from Saru. Great timing and wise move from Taranaki.

 

[spooony]

Hell if they keep this up they will run out of wildlife/landscapes or Forces of nature nicknames by 2020

 

[Moses]

Three days after the ORFU goes broke... wolves are circling.
Not that they ever drew a crowd in Dunedin but they sure have a shiny stadium

 

[MrTimms]

The problem was the scarfy's can't take their lounge to the new stadium and set fire to it, they alienated their core supporters.