The Conference System: Success or Failure?

[Dan54]

I think another reason for enjoying the new system is for me very selfish, being a kiwi in Oz I am always more or less supporting Kiwi teams against Reds, but with conference system, I get to be a one eyed Reds supproter for more games. I also now getting real hopeful of a Reds /Crusaders final at Suncorp, where I can get to it.

 

[ChargerWA]

I have heard it mentioned that in non RWC years, everyone will play everyone at least once, can anyone confirm this?

As to success, I am always keen for more rugby, so its fine by me.

 

[Dan54]

I have heard it mentioned that in non RWC years, everyone will play everyone at least once, can anyone confirm this?

As to success, I am always keen for more rugby, so its fine by me.

No think it stays the same, just stop in July for inbound NH test teams.

 

[Ruggo]

Too early to say. It is only the first year. It could do with some tweaking but overall it is ok.

 

[Sully]

There are 2 more rounds next year. Home and away against your conference teams and home or away against everyone else.

 

[yourmatesam]

I think it's been a good setup. Looking forward to next year with more games. I'm also looking forward to seeing the Rebels run around again next year.

 

[RugbyReg]

There are 2 more rounds next year. Home and away against your conference teams and home or away against everyone else.

not sure if thats the case is it? I was sure we just stopped for 3 weeks or so mid year for the in bound test series.

 

[Sully]

Yup it appears what I heard was wrong. I was certain that the season was shortened for the world cup. But it is just rearanged for it.

 

[RedsHappy]

I guess my point was that the system has been as bad as people such as myself initially thought it might be....And as for Murdoch, whilst I agree with your sentiment there are people that would argue that News Ltd's involvement in SANZAR rugby has been hugely beneficial to the code in the Southern Hemisphere. But that's pronably something worthy of its own discussion.

Whatever the merits of FOXSports' involvement in the TV rights, let's all remember that a big motivator for the 2011 format change was purely economic - the greater number of games coupled with the assumed higher TV and gate audiences for the increased 'local derbies' materially increases the likely income generated to the SANZAR national bodies (TV rights) and the local franchises (gate, and indirectly with a longer time lag, derived local sponsorships that are driven by total eyeball count per S15 season, gate and TV). IMO, enhancing gross $ code income to all of SANZAR in this way was both legitimate and desirable.

 

[Ali's Choice]

I have heard it mentioned that in non RWC years, everyone will play everyone at least once, can anyone confirm this?

As to success, I am always keen for more rugby, so its fine by me.

The draw will remain as is (ie. each team plays 8 derby games and 8 inter-conference games). I actually like this because it means shorter tours, especially for teams from SA. I used to pity them, having to endure 6 week tours of Australasia.

People will argue that if teams don't all play each other the draw lacks equity. But draws are never equitable. Under the old format some teams got to play the Bulls at Loftus, others were lucky enough to catch them away from home at the end of a long tour.

 

[Sully]

Like the Reds last year.

 

[wamberal]

At this stage, AC, you can include me out of an apology.

I'll consider apologising to SANZAR only after they apologise to me for selling my sport to Rupert Bloody Murdoch.

I have no truck for Uncle Rupert. However, I for one appreciate the fact that elite rugby still exists in Australia. Without Murdoch's deep pockets, perhaps we would be reduced to watching club rugby on the ABC - if we are fortunate enough to live in NSW or the ACT.


Wake up to yourself, Bruce. Somebody has to pay for the game. If not Rupe, then who?



As for the new format, it has partially succeeded in its aim of increasing coverage and television viewership in Australia. Pity about some of the relatively poor performances by the local franchises, but that is not the fault of SANZAR, or Uncle Rupert, as far as I know.

 

[Ali's Choice]

Like the Reds last year.

Not keen to cite specific examples, but just pointing out that the old draw was inequitable too. The Crusaders win almost nine games out of ten at home, but only around 50% away. SO clearly playing them at home is a big disadvantage compared to playing them when they are away.

 

[gho]

There are 2 more rounds next year. Home and away against your conference teams and home or away against everyone else.

I wish this was the case, would mean an extra 2 weeks of rugby and make teams in easier conferences have two more games against those in more difficult conferences.

No doubt the Conferences are a great success, though it does make expansion much more difficult, which could be an issue with SA pushing the inclusion of the southern spears/kings

 

[JimboJoe1006]

I didn't like the sound of the idea when I first heard about it, and still don't think much about it.
a) Derbies are overrated
b) I don't like how teams don't all play each other at least once.
c) Perhaps I am too traditionalist, but I really don't like the idea of the Super season interrupting for internationals.
d) Too many games. These has a few adverse effects. Risks the games losing their aura. Second, will players be less inclined to turn out for their Premier clubs in the post-season? Third, with the increased number of games, this leads to increased match payments. Could this be one of the key reasons for the introduction of the salary cap?
e) Silly mungo rule of 4-point byes.

My ideal competition would simply the traditional season structure, play each team either home or away (alternating fixture). Although we are yet to see it in action, the new finals system seems pretty good.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Wake up to yourself, Bruce.

I'm awake, wamberal, and I'm personally alright because I can afford to pay for Pay TV. But a football code that puts easy dollars ahead of maintaining control of its destiny and making its premier competition available to a mass audience will go backwards. That is true for both Rugby and Soccer with its A League.

By abandoning free-to-air rugby administrators have given a huge advantage to AFL and League. Partly because of this I believe that the support base for our sport is rapidly and possibly irreversibly contracting.

It is excessively unlikely that anything constructive will be done to address this situation because there is usually a large unquestioning mass who assume that people are in positions of power because they are wiser and better informed than the rest of us. It is also assumed that self interest never intrudes.

 

[Toddy]

I haven't enjoyed the super 15. Probably has a bit to do with the team I support imploding (going through a transition ). I've gotten sick of the two derby games. Bit of an overkill. Will be even worse in a couple of years.

I've watched a bit more of the top teams from SA and Aus. I've been really enjoying the rugby the Reds and the Stormers are playing. Probably more than the NZ games and this would be the first season that I can say that.

 

[Ali's Choice]

I haven't enjoyed the super 15. Probably has a bit to do with the team I support imploding (going through a transition ). I've gotten sick of the two derby games. Bit of an overkill. Will be even worse in a couple of years.

I've watched a bit more of the top teams from SA and Aus. I've been really enjoying the rugby the Reds and the Stormers are playing. Probably more than the NZ games and this would be the first season that I can say that.

Sad to hear mate. Personally I'm enjoying this season more than ever. Especially the derbies, which I love. I hope that the team you support turns their fortunes around asap. Rugby success is usually cyclical. In 1996 my team the Crusaders came dead last and were the joke of the competition. Two years later we won our first title. Changes can and do happen very quickly if your organisation is prepared to work hard and make the tough calls, on and off the field.

 

[darkhorse]

I would seriously like to know why you say this.

Look like a very shaky start.

They need Beale to save them. Let's hope he even gets the ball next year.

Might have something to do with winning more games than any other new team in their first year.

They have had good crowds, who actually know how to support their team.

They will be very competitive next year with Inman and Beale already agreed to join. Rest assure there will be some other additions to their team, once they have worked out who the deadwood is. They have a good forward pack, but their backs are turnstiles.

 

[liquor box]

I'm awake, wamberal, and I'm personally alright because I can afford to pay for Pay TV. But a football code that puts easy dollars ahead of maintaining control of its destiny and making its premier competition available to a mass audience will go backwards. That is true for both Rugby and Soccer with its A League.

By abandoning free-to-air rugby administrators have given a huge advantage to AFL and League. Partly because of this I believe that the support base for our sport is rapidly and possibly irreversibly contracting.

It is excessively unlikely that anything constructive will be done to address this situation because there is usually a large unquestioning mass who assume that people are in positions of power because they are wiser and better informed than the rest of us. It is also assumed that self interest never intrudes.

In the long run the move to Pay TV will be successful, if it was still only on FTA then you would only see single game of club rugby from your city on ABC. Pay TV has allowed the ARU to set up a base of funds that will allow a transition over time to FTA if wanted.

I think the new AFL tv deal will allow for more penetration of foxtel boxes into more houses and the NRL deal will too. I think in 5-10 years time it will be a vast minority of people who wont have pay tv.

In my ideal world I would be able to watch club rugby on ABC and S15 on Pay.