Looks like you were right JSJ:)
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Looks like you were right JSJ:)
But I think we definitely can assume 6 of the 8 teams will include two sides from Japan (most likely incl PWK), HK, Singapore, Fiji and Force
Nice sly dig at the RA let's not forget this is the same organisation that believed that SA will shrink down to four sides to strengthen Super Rugby. In reality SARU knew the comp was going to cut teams so were talking to Celtic Rugby for over a year to get the two teams in to the Pro 12.
Snookered by SARU and underestimated how important the Cheetahs and Kings are to their partner.
It seems pretty obvious that while World Rugby were in their backyard, RA played along like they were all for it and not throwing any roadblocks in the way of WSR, which was great because it got the recommendation needed for it to rubber stamped, not even RA can stop that happening now.
What they can do is what they have done, which make up a few stories about sand foundations (Melbourne is a desert based on the theory) and not enough time so they can try and get their ducks in order and get Western Sydney back on side via Parramatta merger. Remember it was predominantly Pacific Island team which was to be based in Western Sydney, not a Western Sydney team.
As far as NZ goes, I'm kind of glad they are not going to be in inaugural series. I would rather it be Asian based as first mooted.
No need in my opinion for Twiggy to say anything just because these RA mouthpieces run another story out of pure fear. Last time he spoke it was happening, and once he gets it signed sealed and delivered, we will hear a whole lot more. Until then nothing has changed despite what comes from eastern states press. If he reacts every time they grind their axe, that's all he will ever have time to do.
WSR is happening and I look forward to the details sometime in November.
Without the RANZR influence to bugger it up, this WSR, if marketed in the way it has been this year for exhibition matches, is going to be exciting stuff. All the Asian teams play a brand of rugby where anything can happen on any phase, then you add Fiji to that, WOW!
The teams the Force played this year were far more interesting than the same old boring super rugby sides week in week out. I really enjoyed those exhibition games, more so than the super rugby games of recent years. It was really good to see the sea of blue back and pumped up about world series rugby and its future.. there seems to be so much more energy around the game these days compared the days of the super rugby grind.
And this is a story from someone who is not a Rats Arse mouthpiece and who is probably closer to WSR than the Eastern States grubby hacks. Didn't Nick Taylor write the first story about World Rugby giving the thumbs up, I think that tells us something
So, now Twiggy has called the RA bluff again. Don't they ever learn - remember a certain $70 million that was turned down and look where it has all ended.
They really must be pretty stupid if he ever thought he would take that laying down.
Some of you have already mentioned this but in the original plan I don't remember W Sydney or NZ being part of the plan.
So now they will have to wait and hope they can get in later. when WSR goes to 10 teams.
I found it interesting, if not predictable, how quickly Payten jumped on the bandwagon to write a story as a RA employee. No I'm not surprised.
The original leak came from Nick Taylor. You only have to read Hansie's past posts in regards to what he thinks of journalists like Pandaram.
Don't see many articles from Justin Chadwick these days. Does he still work for the papers?
Well they are given that SARU pulled a fast one on them. Followed through on ten years worth of threats to go to Europe.Quote:
They really must be pretty stupid if he ever thought he would take that laying down.
Yep it also didn't include the potential to have two Top League teams in it which the RA have not mentioned it impacting the Sunwolves who already lose players half way through Super Rugby due to contractual obligations with their company teams.Quote:
Some of you have already mentioned this but in the original plan I don't remember W Sydney or NZ being part of the plan.
From what I have heard, there is a distinct possibility that the Sunwolves will not have a long term future.
I can't weigh up whether this is correct because of my limited knowledge of the country but it's a viewpoint from some people with a long rugby involvement in Japan.
Western Sydney was only announced during the half time break of the Panasonic Wild Knights game. Most were expecting more about the tournament structure/progress but Forrest surprised everyone with an announcement of putting a Western Sydney team in Australian Rugby's graveyard. A New Zealand team was rumored much earlier and most were predicting either North Harbour or Taranaki. I am pretty sure they were part of an original plan, if not the original plan then it was within a few months of the IPRC announcement.
Like the Rebels the set up of the team was flawed from the beginning. If you don't get it right from the beginning it is very difficult to fix it. Especially when you are trying to win games on the pitch as well. The Brumbies were the only start up team to be successful on the pitch from the go and the Force had a very good platform to work from with a large membership and sponsorship base. Finished mid table in their second year.
The Sunwolves have the fans and the sponsors but playing a lot of their games in SA, Singapore and Hong Kong along with a very short pre season doesn't help them win games. For their first season they took to long to sign players and announce their staff.
The Sunwolves will probably fit in to WSR whether as an existing team or the players go back to their clubs and play for them in the competition. Hong Kong and Singapore having their own WSR teams will cut out the need to have a Japanese team spread out games.
Considering how poor the Waratahs crowds were this year (especially the Lions and Highlanders games) that I assume the NSWRU are absolutely terrified beyond belief that if someone sets up a team in Western Sydney then the Waratards will end up losing what little support they currently have. Obviously almost no one in Sydney and North and South of the Harbour bridge care for the game anymore and if they lose the small pocket of Western Sydney fans then it's likely we will see crowds in Sydney similar to the crowds we already see in Melbourne/ And Geelong.
It's certainly something I've been thinking of, a way for RANZR to extract the money out of Twiggy that they missed out on when RA rejected the 70mill... A way to fund Western Sydney and a sixth Kiwi pro-team with Twiggy's money...
Stupor Rugby??!! Hey! You stole that off me! At least put a trademark next to it, Alison! Stupor Rugby™ :hahaha: