Reinstate Super 12 Competition?

Super 15 system needs review so every team plays one another   Can Sanzar please return my Super rugby series?

One with clout and purpose, rather than this extended, protracted hybrid that Sanzar has delivered, which they trumpet with all sorts of promotional statistics.

Naturally those figures are impressive because there is diddly-squat to compare them against.

For starters, two fundamental flaws mar the series.

There is no complete round-robin play and the June break for internationals against Northern Hemisphere teams is rugby interruptus.

Sanzar give themselves a pat on the back for a spectacle which has fewer penalties and the ball in play for much longer.

They lauded the closeness of the quest to find the Australian conference winner.

They would be better asking themselves why sixth is now the new third and why a sixth placed finisher like the Reds can host a quarterfinal.

Now we have more dramas on the horizon.

The Lions have been replaced by the southern Kings - coached by Matt Sexton - on a one-year deal, depending on results.

Out west in Oz, the Force are floundering as staff and players disappear.

In New Zealand, the Blues were a disgrace and did not earn any super description at all.

Cut throat. That is professional sport, top-level competition which has a promotion and relegation component instead of a nanny-state baby-sitting service.

Trim the excess, tighten the competition, give the series some sting at both ends of the table.

It meandered this season, it went on in the early hours of the morning in South Africa although at least games were played in normal viewing time either side of the Tasman trench.

Sky and their viewers love it. Why not? Subscriptions continue, ratings are strong so advertising is attracted.

Record and fast-forward are superb tools to assist viewing while there is a delete option if other reports indicate some real dross.

Reduce the number of sides, have a draw where they all play each other and that is the Super rugby champion.

Then if you want all three nations involved in a super finals format, make some arrangement.

The wicked travel schedule endured by the Sharks in this year's finals was daft.

When Sanzar wanted athletes at their peak for the tournament crescendo, they got a planeload of exhausted blokes against a fresh and hungry Chiefs side.

Good idea? Ask yourself Sanzar? Mark down must do better for your end of year reviews.

 Brycy, 

          I never thought it would ever come to this but here goes

 

         AGREE WITH YOU 100%.

         

 

Well stated.

 

@brycy,

agree with everything except for two things,,,
1) i would have the sp14 and its format and
2) the blues poor performance was largely due to them having to play in the NZ conference, a conference where entering the rnd16 had 4 teams playing for a finals spot. only 9 teams earned 50 or more points and the NZ conference had 4 of those teams.
bues also won 50% of their games against SA and OZ clubs including the bulls and brumbies who were the second best teams in their respective conferences, andlast year the blues also finished 4th on the combined conference as well as won the super rugby crown in the last 10 years, its a far cry to compare them to the like of the lions, cheetahs and force who have failed to make any significant impact the last few years.

@brycy,

agree with everything except for two things,,,
1) i would have the sp14 and its format and
2) the blues poor performance was largely due to them having to play in the NZ conference, a conference where entering the rnd16 had 4 teams playing for a finals spot. only 9 teams earned 50 or more points and the NZ conference had 4 of those teams.
bues also won 50% of their games against SA and OZ clubs including the bulls and brumbies who were the second best teams in their respective conferences, andlast year the blues also finished 4th on the combined conference as well as won the super rugby crown in the last 10 years, its a far cry to compare them to the like of the lions, cheetahs and force who have failed to make any significant impact the last few years.

Sasu and brycy

Though I agree with your sentiments - there is one issue that would not allow for it.   People call that one MONEY.   The whole process is negotiated with the media - the big spenders being Sky Sport and Supersport.  They loce the present concept and I would not be surprised if they actually have a say in the format.

Would they wish to reduce the money-spinning format ?   I think not and that is where the problem lies.   Let me b more explixit.   Years ago there was a power failure in New Zealand and a match was delayed by an hour.   I overlapped with a match played in Australia.   The TV anchors here on Supersport went livid and declared that type of thing will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN nd you can bet your life on it - it never happened again.   So don't tell me that is sheer co-incidence.

From a rugby perspective the five franchises in SA is at least one too many - whilst Australia cannot really sustain even four franchises.    In the ccase of New Zealand four franchises would also be better - so a total of twelve franchises would be better - but it will NEVER HAPPEN 

i agree with all your points but as mike has said correctly its all about money and the spin offs comercialy that is being generated by the tournament. they are going to the quantity of qaulity approach. if history has served correclty that type of mentality in the end just creates watered down game that people lose interest anyways. the old super 12 idea was the best and maybe they should just alter the playoffs to extend that and create a more fair concept to allow for travel ext.

 

the bigger and longer the comp gets the more watered down it will become. rugby is not soccer so i think they are trying to milk the game to keep there respective investors happy.

 

i think the old super 12 was the best. not conf cup and all teams played each other at least once. the only aspect i like now is the playoffs idea that being said they should extend. that can be there money angle is they wanted to work that.

Brycy when you copy and paste at least acknowledge the author etc.

I too think a super 12 would be best in terms of quality and player survival.