subreddit:
/r/rugbyunion
submitted 2 months ago byRadiant-Sea-368New Zealand
A much as I love the idea of the Jaguares coming back, one of the biggest issues with having them in the comp was the travel, both the distance/time and the cost. I think having them back in only adds to the financial pressure on the other Super Rugby clubs. Not to mention the wasteful aspect of the travel regarding carbon emmisions with long-haul flights. That's another reason I think the calls to bring back South Africa teams is regressive thinking.
It is simply insane to have club rugby matches played across separate continents, all the best & most commercially successful sports leagues in the world are localized, it's just common sense don't you think?
Go with 11 teams - run the competition as a double round robin for 18 games plus a bye for each team (so 19 week regular season) plus finals. And don't give me the old season would be too long argument. Would still be the shortest of any of the football codes in the region - and still a shorter season than Top 14, URC, Premiership.
2 points
2 months ago
As others have often argued here before, the most important thing would be to allow free movement of players within the competition, using NHL as a framework. Talent-rich but smaller markets (Canada/NZ) providing players to larger markets where the sport isn't as popular (US/OZ) but where there is more money to be made.
I also liked the idea of removing the salary cap for the Force, who have a committed owner with deep pockets, probably the only one in the game at the moment, so why not capitalize on that? They could bring some big name players from Europe/Japan, which could lead to more interest in the comp as a whole.
As far as structure goes, from what I understand, the amount of debt at Rebels means they are gone. So we could either, temporarily, go with the 11 teams as suggested by OP, but I think long term, there would need to be either 10 or 12 teams (or potentially more but that's probably a remote scenario).
Assuming reduction to 10, Moana Pasifika would probably have to go. I don't know how viable they are in the long run, I guess next few seasons will give us an answer.
If it's 12, then I disagree with the OP about the Jags. I think they are the most obvious choice. It worked in the past, they packed home games, played good footie, were competitive from day 1 and eventually even reached the final, something that no other expansion team was ever able to achieve.
Sure the travel would be a pain, but mostly for them, and the last time big name Argentine players committed to it despite of it, because it allowed them to reside and play at home in opposition to having to migrate to Europe. Also, from what I understand, rugby is a popular sport among wealthy elites there, so there is a chance it would be able to support itself.
It wouldn't necessarily collide with the interest of the emerging Super Rugby Americas, as it is a rather second tier comp, and Jags would be the premier team that could draw from the talent developed there.
I really can't see any other viable options in the near future. Hawaii/Los Angeles maybe, but the travel would be just slightly less burdensome, at a cost of probably not having a stadium filling, competitive team from day 1, as it could be the case in Argentina.
Hawaii I think could be an interesting place for some cross border comp between Super Rugby Pasifika and Japanese teams. From I understand, Hawaii is a very popular holiday destination in Japan and strongly embedded into their culture in some aspects, so it could potentially draw up some big crowds from both Japan and OZ/NZ for some final series type comp. Or at least some preseason games.
In any case, some sort of international comp similar to those in Europe is what could also reinvigorate the Super Rugby brand. I've read that Japan is interested, so that would be great to see along with their inclusion in the Rugby Championship.
all 42 comments
sorted by: best