Where to for Super Rugby?

[Rugbynutter39]

Or 3) there’s a contractual obligation with SANZAAR that runs until 2023. Everyone conveniently overlooks this. Covid gave SAF an escape route but the fact they were released so easily permanently is no doubt a signal that the end is nigh. I suspect that what RA are working on behind the scenes is your first suggestion as they have openly stated that a PE deal is imminent. Whilst it’s nowhere close to a long term answer, SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) is possibly the best solution in the interim. I think there is more to these foreign selections in the Wallabies I.e I think the longer term plan is to lure them home, but we’re all waiting to see what the carrot is that can do that

Yeh that is my speculative guess on this too Kobe ie participating in super rugby as interim measure while sort out PE investment for domestic competition. Whether this would be in addition to or replace super rugby involvement is other mute point.

 

[Adam84]

 

[RebelYell]

Why wouldn't you wait another week or two when Test footy is done for the year? Cannibalising your own media share...

 

[Wilson]

Why wouldn't you wait another week or two when Test footy is done for the year? Cannibalising your own media share...

I can't see how it's going to canabalise much of the media share, it's just a draw announcement. I think it's probably a case of announce before the test season finishes while there's still some eyes on rugby.

 

[KOB1987]

I can't see how it's going to canabalise much of the media share, it's just a draw announcement. I think it's probably a case of announce before the test season finishes while there's still some eyes on rugby.

That was my thought as well while I was reading RY's post and before reading yours

 

[RebelYell]

Fair enough, agree to disagree. I would have chosen a week when there wasn't something else to write about from a Rugby perspective, but each to their own

 

[KevinO]

Fair enough, agree to disagree. I would have chosen a week when there wasn't something else to write about from a Rugby perspective, but each to their own

Well I think it should have been done already, Rebels membership has started charging for the payment plan before even seeing the fixtures.

 

[hoggy]

Yeh that is my speculative guess on this too Kobe ie participating in super rugby as interim measure while sort out PE investment for domestic competition. Whether this would be in addition to or replace super rugby involvement is other mute point.

I'm sorry, I simply don't see any evidence that this is the thinking of the RA come 2024. They have just signed upto Super Rugby Pacific, do you then just dump that in 2024, what happens to the Drua or Pacifica.

Its quite clear what the RA strategy is a Lions tour followed by the World cup in 27 to bring the bank balance back to a reasonable level.

You keep hinting that PE talks are going on behind closde doors regards a domestic comp setup, but I have yet to hear a single shred of rumour or slip of the tongue hinting that this is even being considered.
Australian rugby is fundamently flawed by having 5 domestic teams, simply not enough to form a genuine domestic competition.

Don't get me wrong I wish it would happen, but we simply wasted 20 years of Super rugby (ridiculous take over the world strategy). But the RA have shown no desire to pursue a domestic strategy, they hardly even acknowledge the success of the AU comp over the last 2 years.

The world cup suits the thinking of the top down strategy, lots of Red wine dinners with cash rolling in, followed by promises of money for the poor.

 

[RugbyReg]

Finally we have set theme rounds. Bravo.

The Super Round in Melbourne is interesting.

 

[PhilClinton]

Finally we have set theme rounds. Bravo.

The Super Round in Melbourne is interesting.

Interesting holding it in week 2 of the competition, I would have thought a few more weeks in would make more sense.

It is essentially a new competition, build some fanfare over the first month or so and then do a Super Round type thing. Although the flip side is if the AU teams are getting towelled each week, the competition may be over by the mid-point!

I am not in marketing though, so hopefully they got it right.

 

[Wilson]

Interesting holding it in week 2 of the competition, I would have thought a few more weeks in would make more sense.

It is essentially a new competition, build some fanfare over the first month or so and then do a Super Round type thing. Although the flip side is if the AU teams are getting towelled each week, the competition may be over by the mid-point!

I am not in marketing though, so hopefully they got it right.

If they decided to hold it in Melbourne before they decided when then that would have pushed them to an early round - want to get in before the AFL kicks off in mid-March and the NRL (for AAMI park availability) a week or so earlier.

 

[dru]

Finally we have set theme rounds. Bravo.

The Super Round in Melbourne is interesting.

Is that the first ever ANZAC theme round? How utterly bazaar it has taken this long. That will be one weekend when I will be happily watching Kiwis.

 

[Dctarget]

Why in Melbourne? I feel like we'll see 6 empty stadiums....

 

[zer0]

Footage of the AAMI groundsman checking his turf on the morning of 28th Februrary 2022:

 

[Derpus]

Why in Melbourne? I feel like we'll see 6 empty stadiums....

Yeah weird one.

 

[Dan54]

Why in Melbourne? I feel like we'll see 6 empty stadiums....

Guess the Victorian gov paid the most?

If they decided to hold it in Melbourne before they decided when then that would have pushed them to an early round - want to get in before the AFL kicks off in mid-March and the NRL (for AAMI park availability) a week or so earlier.

Agree wholeheartedly Wilson, was about to post same thing. If you had it in Aus once NRL and especially AFL kicks in Melbourne off you would struggle to get eyeballs . I remarked on same thing when discussing viewer numbers of last year Sau in Aus, apart from finals best figure were for before NRL etc kicking off. Pretty sure why RA pushed so hard (rightfully)for NZR to have such an early start. Most think it miles to early for rugby really, but clear air for tv in Aus is probably good!

 

[Dctarget]

I hope they properly market the shit out of the super round and everyone comes to Melbourne for a good weekend away. I'll have y'all around for a BBQ.

 

[Adam84]

Why in Melbourne? I feel like we'll see 6 empty stadiums....

Went to the highest bidder… VIC Govt with the $$$ to shake off the lockdown hangover I suspect, entertainment group TEG Live played a big part, they’ll likely take a share of profits rather then the VRU.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I'm sorry, I simply don't see any evidence that this is the thinking of the RA come 2024. They have just signed upto Super Rugby Pacific, do you then just dump that in 2024, what happens to the Drua or Pacifica.

Its quite clear what the RA strategy is a Lions tour followed by the World cup in 27 to bring the bank balance back to a reasonable level.

You keep hinting that PE talks are going on behind closde doors regards a domestic comp setup, but I have yet to hear a single shred of rumour or slip of the tongue hinting that this is even being considered.
Australian rugby is fundamently flawed by having 5 domestic teams, simply not enough to form a genuine domestic competition.

Don't get me wrong I wish it would happen, but we simply wasted 20 years of Super rugby (ridiculous take over the world strategy). But the RA have shown no desire to pursue a domestic strategy, they hardly even acknowledge the success of the AU comp over the last 2 years.

The world cup suits the thinking of the top down strategy, lots of Red wine dinners with cash rolling in, followed by promises of money for the poor.

I keep thinking RA must be more clever whether hopeful thinking or not. Yeh I think I got lost on what was RA's strategy when they completely dumped Super Rugby AU (when surely they could have at least kept a 6 nations single round robin style comp as well as be in SUper Rugby Pacific). Maybe your right, RA's strategy is just to limp through to Lions tour, then RWC 2027, make a motza and build on the flawed top down strategy. Who knows - but I just can't see Super Rugby Pacific with 5 oz sides and 5 kiwi sides working unless something changes and surely RA with all the clever people there smarter than me can see that. Just wonder what their long term plan is as surely can't be just going down super rugby as same course in previous years (albeit with Drua and MP (Moana Pasifika) added).

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Went to the highest bidder… VIC Govt with the $$$ to shake off the lockdown hangover I suspect, entertainment group TEG Live played a big part, they’ll likely take a share of profits rather then the VRU.

Melbourne rugby has lot to thank VIC govt for continuing to make these sort of investments.....