US pushes for super 20 world series

[beige]

Really? The Super 20 website also claims that Channel 9, Channel 7 and the ABC are all telecasting it in Australia.

Not saying you're incorrect (if your profile name is accurate then you'd know better than me) but stuff like this makes a little sceptical...

[jargan83]

I would assume because their already in an organised competition??

[KenyaQuin]

Thanks Tony, source?

[BLR]

If this actually happens and manages to be sustainable the promotion and relegation idea could would good for eventually integrating it into Super rugby.

[TonyM]

KenyaQuinn

Got this from the agency who are doing the negotiations in New York - they also will include the College Sports TV which strikes to the core of all college campus sports.

On another tack are you guys tracking the Waratahs tie up with the Japanes club?

[TonyM]

Just in from the East Coast:

NSWRU joins forces with Japanese club

The New South Wales Rugby Union has signed a historic agreement with Japanese club NTT Communications, which is aimed at improving the standard of Rugby at the second division outfit.

Over the last ten days the manager, head coach, assistant coaches, physiotherapist and strength and conditioning staff from NTT Communications have been experiencing life inside the HSBC Waratahs High Performance Unit, with a view to applying what they have learnt in their team environment in Japan.

The deal signed today extends the partnership between NSWRU and NTT Communications for a further two years, with an ongoing relationship sure to benefit both sides.

“There is a fairly universal mindset in Australian Rugby that we should be doing whatever we can to improve the standard of rugby within the region and this partnership is another step in ensuring that continues to occur,” said Tony D’Arcy, General Manager Waratahs High Performance.

“The party from NTT Communications has been extremely gracious for the opportunity we’ve been able to provide them with and it is fantastic we can keep the relationship growing with this new contract.”

Since their High Performance experience started with the Waratahs almost two weeks ago, NTT Communications have learned from all key personnel involved in the organisation, including all coaches, team management, team analysis, strength and conditioning and even development systems they can take back to enhance the pathways to elite Rugby.

They have attended every Waratahs training session since arriving, sat in on team meetings and experienced the next tier of the game with Tooheys New Shute Shield defending champions Sydney University.

The coaching staff have even completed the SmartRugby course and achieved a Level 1 Coaching Certificate during their stay.

Currently in the second division, NTT Communications is working towards competing in Japan’s leading competition, the Top League. The playing roster is semi-professional, with all players employed with the leading telecommunications company.

NTT Tokyo was formed in 1976 and in 1999 merged with Kanagawa to become NTT East. Since July last year the team has been known as NTT Communications, the same name as the international business and internet arm of NTT Group.

The team is opening a new ground in 2008, in Chiba, half an hour east of downtown Tokyo, and after finishing third in the Top East (second division) each year since 2003 the club is primed to earn promotion to the Top League as soon as possible.

The squad has been boosted by a number of international players including former All Blacks lock Brad Mika and former Brumbies squad member Tim Le Nevez, and the club keen use utilise its new partnership with NSWRU to further professionalise the outfit.

The new relationship will allow the two organisations to grow their association both in Australia and in Japan, with rugby services continuing to improve in Tokyo while real-time high performance analysis will take place in Sydney on NTT Communications and their opposition.

“We believe NTT Communications has a big future in Rugby,” added D’Arcy. “They’ve certainly got the drive to compete and the appetite to learn and we look forward to being a part of helping them do that.”

This is open minded thinking and the way to get more cash in the game.

[Seldom]

FIBA(basketball governing Body) have already signed off on a world series for 2009 start. Will include teams from asia,aust/nz,nba and europe 16 to start and expansion to 64 by 2011.
Could be a good idea for Rugby and the game

[Haymaker]

Seldom

The chaps at SANZAR have been quick to play follow my leader as they are hurting:-

Pac Rim nations may be in Super plans
May 2, 2008 - 10:52AM

Sanzar officials will explore the possibility of involving the Pacific Islands, Argentina, Japan, the United States and Canada in Super rugby.

They have scheduled meetings around the Super 14 playoffs and Tri-Nations and others in Wellington and Samoa over the next few weeks and hope to have concrete options for expansion of the competitions in the next six months.

The about face from Sanzar, an rugby alliance of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, comes as the threat from northern hemisphere clubs increases.

New Zealand have recently lost some leading players to European clubs who are now attracting younger players and All Blacks with offers that cannot be matched by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).

Sanzar, particularly New Zealand, had been ignoring calls from such countries such as Samoa, Fiji and Argentina to be included in the Super 14.

"We are sort of recognising publicly if you like that Sanzar's got some work to do to ensure that its competitions are the best in the world," NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said.

Tew is attending an International Rugby Board meeting in Dublin where Sanzar officials also met.

"We're identifying the fact that the rugby economy here (northern hemisphere) is posing a real serious threat to what's happening to our countries.

"We've made a very strong commitment to work together on a very tight timeline to come up with some options in future and in that regard we'll be talking face-to-face with the Japanese, the Canadians, the US, the Argentinians and the Pacific Islanders to try to progress throughout the next four to six months.

All Blacks such as Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Doug Howlett and Luke McAlister moved north after last year's World Cup and now players such as Daniel Carter and Nick Evans are being lured with offers they almost cannot refuse.

© 2008 NZPA

[Haymaker]

Take a look at the rugby nursery in the USA

CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports

[force addict]

but the USA can't even play! RWC 2007 anyone?

[Haymaker]

Force Addict

Australia and the USA have the same number of players - 67,000

Two more years and you will eat your words.

Already NZRU are cozying up to the the US.

[force addict]

sorry, i'm not a fan of the US (no offence). and i dislike it how they always try and be good at all sports (fair go they have a go at it, but don't expect wins ALL THE FRIKKEN TIME)

and NZRU are only cozying up coz of the $$$$

[Darren]

Check here, Force Addict and see what's coming http://gotheforce.com/uploaded/1/habanaburnt.wmv

[laura]

That is sensational Coach. Maybe some exhibition matches against them, but I still dont want a Super20 competition....(see the other thread about this for my full rant)

[force addict]

that video makes me want to vomit
but a good try.
HAA HAA habana