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Thread: Sir John Kirwan's dramatic proposal to save rugby: Axe Super Rugby, more domestic com

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    Sir John Kirwan's dramatic proposal to save rugby: Axe Super Rugby, more domestic com

    Someone send him Twiggy's number!

    All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan has proposed a dramatic shift to the structure of club rugby in the southern hemisphere, one which would see the end of Super Rugby as we know it.
    Sir John, who played in 63 Tests for the All Blacks, is proposing a system that would see greater parity with the structure of the northern hemisphere, with domestic rugby the main feature.
    The proposal would see New Zealand's 14 provincial unions and six from Australia combine into a 20-team competition, while any international club-based tournament, including sides from South Africa and Japan, would become involved in a Heineken Cup style format, Sir John told Stuff.
    "Super Rugby has been fantastic but domestic competitions are important and need to be strong," he said.
    "The game is changing pretty quickly. There's a couple of things we need to get back to. We need to get back to some tribalism and some traditionalism, so get back to Auckland, North Harbour, Otago."
    The move would effectively streamline club rugby in the Southern Hemisphere, allowing for a proper Test window in June before the Rugby Championship.
    The benefits of the proposed shift would also allow Australia more competition at the provincial level.
    "We need Australian football to be strong so I think they should become part of a 20-team, NRL-type situation."
    "For example, we would have possibly 14 New Zealand sides and then six Australian sides - get back to their traditional sides - and I think we've seen a resurgence of support [in Australia] for them.
    "And then the Japanese play their domestic competitions, the Africans play their domestic competition, and we could possible look at a couple of Island sides coming in and then every four to six weeks we break into a four-round Super Rugby where we all play each other."
    Super Rugby's current broadcast deal ends in 2020, with SANZAAR understood to be in discussions about its future as a competition.

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    Immortal Contributor shasta's Avatar
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    Sir Bloody Mungo!

    But seriously, that is the best outcome possible for the long term. Whether it is financially viable in the short term is the issue. As is whether Rat's Arse and the NZRU have the balls to give it a shot.
    It does not fit with Twiggy's current vision. Nor does it seem to fit with the Dwyer/Papworth/Jones crew's brave old world. It would fit Australian Rugby's future nicely though, if the Oz teams are similar to the current NRC structure. With the regular competition against NZ NPC-type teams the much needed tribalism should develop fairly well.

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    Veteran sittingbison's Avatar
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    nope, the six teams will be:
    1. Sydney Uni
    2. Northern Suburbs
    3. Warringah
    4. Manly
    5. University of Queensland
    6. Melbourne Rebels

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    Veteran chibi's Avatar
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    When will we cut the umbilical cords from our Oedipal mother?

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    Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!

    Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?

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    Have to give him credit for finding a creative way to say that their second division M10C teams are better than our SR teams...

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