Super 8

I've been playing with the idea in my head for some time now.

But why not create a super 8 tournament with 2 divisions and 8 teams in each.

Creating a premier division and 2nd division.

That way we would be able to encorporate 16 sides with a promotion / relegation match between the top 2 premier and bottom 2 2nd division sides at the end of the year?

I know of the downfalls would be the financial issues for 2nd division sides, but it would create a strength vs strength scenario every week.

We'd never have to worry about the Rebels, Force, Lions or Kings!

Imagine just seeing the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, Crusaders, Canes, Chiefs, Reds and Highlanders playing each other home and away, then have an normal run of semis and finals.

besides the financial issue, i think it would be a fantastic approach to a shit situation and it would create incentive for teams like the Lions and Rebels to perform halfway through the season, because they'd still have the opportinity to be promoted to the premier division.

It is a good idea. It could be called the Super 8 and the Crap 8.

As more teams enter the tournamet, a change in structure is enivatable.  The Australian conference system would ruin this idea. asEach season they usually only produce one team, or two at most being competitive since the expansion of the teams- they just do not have the depth. If only one Australian team is in the Super division- then it would kill the game for them. 

If teams like the Lions need to be in the tournament-  this is the best way to go. As the tournament takes on more and more teams this would ensure that players are not being over played. 

To the people that run these types of leagues, finicial issues are there only concern. This is why unfortunately it wouldn't work.

Rugby is a young pro sport , and is trying to find it's way a little bit. The one thing it has going for it is that in most countries leagues, there is the standard of relegation, and promotion. Over here in North America, there is none of that. It's 30 + teams to a league and that's it. Everything else is minor leagues...

Actually Chippo thats not a bad idea but it wont be implemented sadly as the decision on the initial 8 will be contested and OZ would want a minimum of two teams, NZ will get 3 and Boks 3.......That leavse some good teams at the second tier who will struggle to improve if you have them playing week in week out against the Force, Lions (Kings now), Rebels - throw in the Cheetahs, Highlanders, Warratahs and I am sure that they will fight it all the way.

But in theory your idea is a good one 

So the "Crap 8" would be

1. Any AUS Team

2. Any AUS Team

3. Any AUS Team

4. Any AUS Team

5. Any AUS Team

6. EP Kings

7. and 8. Cheetahs/Highlanders/Hurricanes ???   That would a hard choice, for me. I don't see any of them as "Crap"  Or would it be a new team or the Lions again?

But, I do prefer this type of format

...to all the Aussie bashers...

lets not be too arrogant.

Remember it was just a few years back where we too battled to get a top 4 spot.

Lets remain humble fellas.

they will have to look at it if SANZAR wants teams from japan, argentinia ext to be included. the more teams you add the more watered down the rugby will become in my view. i still think a promotion relagation idea should be used to try and force teams to perform on a consitent timeline

it makes sense in rugby terms but the money mongrels at SANZAR wont buy into it i am sure.