The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming...well, sort of.

[WorkingClassRugger]

On my daily trawl through several Rugby forums I stumbled upon this little gem on the FIRA site. Evidently, negotiations are currently underway to bring the second Russian (if you count Adam Byrnes) to Super Rugby. No idea as to which player it could be.

Furthermore, if the deal is successfully signed away it could prompt a possible third Russian national player.

The poster leaking this also leaked similar hints regarding the impressive Russian Wing/Fullback Vasily Artemyev's move from his Russia club VVA to Northhampton.

It appears the RUR are attempting to not only develop their internal competition but also follow in Georgia's foot step in the interim.

 

[Brumbieman]

I'd love to see an extra team established, made up entirely of players from countries that are not in a regular, top tier comp.

Eg loaded with Argies, Islanders, Georgian/Romanian props (who we could poach), Russians, Japs, Yanks, Canadians etc etc etc.

Some rich billionaire deciding to entre a franchise into Super rugby. The IRB/SARU/ARU/NZRU could even subsidise it, 20k per player to help with wages.

Man that would be cool, 2-3 players from each 'minnow' in the team, to take that experience back to their country/provide exposure...

Sigh...

 

[tigerland12]

No one would support that team Brumbieman, they'd have no revenue.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I'd love to see an extra team established, made up entirely of players from countries that are not in a regular, top tier comp.

Eg loaded with Argies, Islanders, Georgian/Romanian props (who we could poach), Russians, Japs, Yanks, Canadians etc etc etc.

Some rich billionaire deciding to entre a franchise into Super rugby. The IRB/SARU/ARU/NZRU could even subsidise it, 20k per player to help with wages.

Man that would be cool, 2-3 players from each 'minnow' in the team, to take that experience back to their country/provide exposure...

Sigh...

I would like to 5 or so squad places in each squad opened for foreign development or Argentinians on a permanent basis. This would introduce at current team number 75 spots for Argentine and foreign development players. Could even look to extend to 10 per squad as per the Melbourne Rebels. It's about time Super Rugby looked to take greater advantage of the depth that exists internationally particularly in the developing nations. This includes the Pacific Islands. With the surplus of players we would then have we could look to enter a 6th (with 5 per squad) and even a 7th team. So could both NZ and SA. That that could introduce anywhere up to and including 90-180 (30-60 in each country possibly even 70 while we would still maintain our current Aus eligible players t that level) places in the immediate future (say 2015). If Argentina do get Super Rugby franchises then they could call on talent that has been running about Super Rugby to fill its rosters. You could either wind the number back down to 5 foreign players per squad filling the spots the Argentine s would have occupied with locals or continue the 10 import program.

 

[Brumbieman]

No one would support that team Brumbieman, they'd have no revenue.

Oh its a dream certainly. Though i'd imagine they'd get a fair bit of support, actually. WorkingClassRugger's idea is more practical though. Assign a few extra playing positions for a foreign player, to increase depth.

 

[Geeves]

Well SA has done a great job for the Pumas already. The Pampas XV (only Argentinean players) won their Vodacom Cup this year. A number of the players then made it to the RWC.

I have no idea how their financial support and revenue from bums on seat in SA is though.

 

[#1 Tah]

No one would support that team Brumbieman, they'd have no revenue.

Or home ground.

 

[tranquility]

Well SA has done a great job for the Pumas already. The Pampas XV (only Argentinean players) won their Vodacom Cup this year. A number of the players then made it to the RWC.

I have no idea how their financial support and revenue from bums on seat in SA is though.

I did not realise that they won the vodacom cup, thats great news. They will consitently be a top 5 side when they come into the Quad nations. Gotta love the pumas