....and I couldn’t help but notice the contrast with the Munster game over the weekend. Backs trying to actually break the line and beat tackles......innovation vs process, as in a brilliant try scored by Aaron Smith backing up his off load after a break.
We are going to miss Super Rugby and our play is going to deteriorate at least with respect to backline play. In no time we will be looking at NZ backs with awe, as we did back in the nineties, rather than the equanimity familiarity breeds.
Again there was never a possibility of the South African teams joining either the English or French leagues, they are simply not looking to expand.
I'd say the chances of getting into the Champions Cup are much better than slim with the move into Pro Rugby, probably more likely than not within two to three years but its virtually zero if they don't join .
People who knock the standard of the Pro Rugby invariable don't actually watch it. A lot of the criticism comes from English rugby fans who love to knock the league particularly when teams from the Pro 14 beat English teams in Europe.
Yes there is an issue with the Irish teams fielding B sides for many games in the Pro League, but it doesn't really apply to the Welsh as much as they don't have the squad depth the Irish teams do and usually only two of their four teams gets into Europe and they usually don't make it out of groups. A big part of fielding weaker teams is also to do with the Six Nations affecting the Pro Rugby clubs worse than than England and France. England and France are calling up player dispersed among ten teams, with the Pro nations all the national call ups are coming from either four or two teams. That's not really the fault of the Pro Rugby, it just happens to clash with the Six Nations.
The only alternative is South African teams playing solely in an even shittier Currie Cup.
If the South African teams quality is as good as your implying here and they are allowed qualify for Europe from Pro Rugby qualification spots, then you will force the better teams to play their stronger sides more often or risk losing out on qualifying for Europe.
With the attitude you have, I'm sorta of under the impression you think the South African team's will just waltz Pro rugby. Guarantee you that the South African teams will struggle against the stronger teams of the league when playing away from home, even against the so called B sides of those teams. After all Super Rugby might have had the best standard of rugby in its prime but from my understanding South African teams have only won Super Rugby three time, not once in the last ten seasons and are far from what the would be considered the standard setters of Super Rugby. I don't think any South African team will come close to winning Pro Rugby it in the first couple of years.
So who won the World Cup?
Not one of the NH club teams have a prayer against the top RSA teams playing in South Africa. Up north the very best NH teams might give us a go.. And of course Anger wants us to go through some sort of process to join. These Irish chappies learned their lessons from their English masters.
I think a comparison of Irish and Bok WC records over 25 years settles the question of which nation has the most rugby potential,
If I was trolling for an Irishman, Anger, I’d use a potato.
Well Saffex I guess we will find out in a few months time.
Mozart that's so cute, like a toddler trying to reach up to turn on a light switch. Adorable even.
Interesting comments my Mallett
https://rugby365.com/tournaments/currie-cup/news-currie-cup/the-shocking-state-of-south-africas-domestic-game/
I'm afraid the domestic comp has been pretty dreadful viewing. I fear if SA play in isolation due to the Covid situation for too long, players will only be able to play one way.
There is so much skill, flare and running ability in the youth game, it's a shame to see most sides opting for the same kick/chase approach at senior level. Under the current rules it appears as though it's rewarded but I think we'd all like our players to be able to play in many different ways.
I think the Pro 14 would be good for SA but the ultimate goal should be Champions Cup participation.
I also remember a lot of people thinking the Cheetahs would crush everyone when they entered despite losing many players. This didn't happen and I think the other franchises entering will have it all their own way.
"This didn't happen and I think the other franchises entering will have it all their own way. "
The cheetahs have a good team every now and again, but traditionally they are the 5th best province.
If Munster were to play the Lions at Ellis Park it would be no contest. A country’s rugby potential is primarily determined at a national level. And based on that it’s the Boks and NZ.
It will be interesting to see the results...I'm sure there is gonna be a lot of egg flying around one way or another...I'm not making a call 'cause it has to be tested and I simply don't know but I'm sure there is going to be some fun in the results. Lets save this post for later....haha...hahaha. He who laughs last, laughs bes t. The Cheetahs example could be a clue.
Cheetahs did alright in the Pro 14, came third in their conference in the first season or sixth overall if you go by points and made the play offs but where well beaten by Scarlets in it, they got to the plays off their largely off the strength of their home form where they where quite difficult to beat but struggled away from home.
There form dropped off in the second season and they up only ended up sixth in their conference but looking at points tenth overall.
Third season was a little better but got interrupted by Covid, with Cheetahs fourth in their conference but ninth overall in the standards.
They where a damn site better than the Dragons, Zebre and Southern Kings, kind of solid midfield team, exciting to watch good attack rugby but lacking defensively and struggled with discipline.
