So the Brumbies and the Waratahs have had to cut their squads due to the global financial crisis. Who would have thought the recession so severe that rugby franchises would have taken a hit this bad, and this quickly. After reading this press release, one cant help but think that the global financial crisis is being used as a scapegoat for the financial pressure the Australian franchises are feeling, regardless of the economy. Are they in survival mode? Negotiating with desperate men is rarely productive. What I find ironic however is that this has come at a time when the Australian Rugby Union in particular, under the supreme leadership of its overlord John O’Neill , has decided that South Africa needs to marginilise its provincial rugby competition. The ARU has been pushing SANZAR, and in the process South Africa and New Zealand, towards a revised Super competition calender and structure. Not only do they want weekday Tri Nation test matches during the Super competition, they want to move the competition start date to April effectively reducing the South African Currie Cup to a sideshow.
If Australia actually had a strong provincial system that attracted crowds and television revenue they would hardly be keen on the proposal. They would stand to lose more. More so, if they had a solid provincial structure that filtered talent into their Super Competition franchises they would not need to contract so many players. Unlike New Zealand and South Africa, they do not have that luxury. Australia’s lack of competitive provincial or state rugby means that major franchises need to contract larger squads to retain their talent and depth. Not for the good of the franchises alone but for the good of Australian and Wallaby rugby as a whole. The fact that The Brumbies and Waratahs are in the process of cutting squads suggests that Australia is fighting to save its own rugby, not the viability of the SANZAR relationship. It is willing to risk the quality of the product across three countries in an aim to prop up its own dwindling coffers. What makes this entire fiasco so preposterous is that Australia admits they are struggling to fill stadiums and now they admit that their franchises are struggling financially to the point where they cant maintain large squads. In the process of saving their own rugby they want South Africa and New Zealand to risk their own successful structures? South Africa and New Zealand are expected to can their provincial competitions in an effort to improve Australian rugby?
Already Australia and New Zealand are under onslaught. European and Japanese clubs are throwing money at their players who are in some cases willing to give up national honours chasing those pay checks. With Australian Super franchises now cutting back on contracts they are only going to bleed more talent to foreign leagues.
Consider that Australia cant retain players. Consider that Australia cannot afford to retain some of those who want to stay. Consider that the game does not attract the capacity crowds they desire. Now consider that Australia is demanding mid week Tri Nations test matches during the Super competition which will remove a minimum of 66 players. Australia is demanding that South Africa give priority to a Super competition over its Currie Cup after it weakens the Super competition by removing international stars AND is already struggling to fill its franchise rosters. How is this a practical solution for anyone? Even for Australia?
How can The Brumbies and Waratahs even field a team of 22 players if they cut their squads AND lose players when the Tri Nations rolls around? Unless of course they are going to demand two games a week from the players now? Surely not. Although, desperate men are rarely rational either.
Even if by some miracle SANZAR can overcome these current obstacles one needs to wonder if the SANZAR relationship is even worthwhile for South Africa anymore. For years we have been at a disadvantage with extended travel and little recognition for it. There is little sympathy for the “weak” South African teams that get murdered year after year when they go down under. It has certainly been amusing to watch the Australian and New Zealand coaches try to come to grips with the travel. Travel has made teams like The Cheetahs and Lions competitive. The three week tours they Australian and Kiwi sides have in South Africa pale into insignificance when you consider that South African team are often away for 5 weeks minimum. South African players have been handed heavy suspensions from the citation tribunals for years while Australian and New Zealand players have been handled with kid gloves too. Not only have we been at a disadvantage with the travel we have certainly been the receiving end of some dubious officiating.
South Africa has nothing to gain from the SANZAR relationship anymore. Not unless it is willing to risk its own provincial structure. That was the only thing that kept South African rugby alive during isolation and it has a long proud history. It is also the one thing that ensures we are not reliant on SANZAR type competition to keep our rugby afloat. I would hate to be in Australias position.
New Zealand needs to seriously reconsider its own position though. Its time to lift your skirt and grab your balls girls. The Aussies are leading you down the garden path with little concern for your rugby. If you believe that trans Tasman rugby really is in your own best interests then so be it. We will take our players, our fans and our pay checks elsewhere. Good bye and good luck. Chances are, when we do find a home in Europe, half your players will end up in those leagues anyway.
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