I was highly critical of the decision of SARU to give the Kings a chance on Super 16 level - but must frankly admit that I was wrong. After the fact that they have won matches against the Western Force and Rebels - and more importantly beat the Highlanders and drew with the Brumbies - I have changed my mind about the isue and believe that they can have a future role on Super 15 level.
What is really surprising is that some of the unknows they have on contract regularly perform better than the high-profile players who are regulars in other franchisees and even on national level. That brings me to another conclusion - it is very difficult for any player to be selected nationally - unless that player is playing for one of the big-three franchses - namely the Bulls, the Sharks and the Stormers.
Players from the Cheetahs and the Kings are basically ignored by Meyer and to my mind that really is a major problem - both for those two sides in particular and SA rugby in general. If a player wants career-advancement he would try and get contracted by one of the big three - or depart to foreign shores.
Be it as it may - the Kings made some good choices insofar as contracting of playersare concerned - they scooped up for instance Catrakillis that the Stormers should have kept. I think that the Kings could get some other better players if they are allowed to continue as a franchise next year and hae more time available to deal with contracting issues on a longer-term basis.
