Investec Super rugby 2012

[Amobokoboko]

Ok, this is a little topic on the current structure.
Last year we had 21 weeks of Super rugby, including quarters, semis and finale.

This year we will have 24 weeks of Super rugby, including the June internationals.
Besides that, we will also have the 4 Nations this summer. With the finale scheduled the first weekend of August.

It will be a long season, and I see the smaller teams benefit from it as most of the internationals will be rested or on tour at the end of the season.

I understand it's a l about money and television rights etc...

But this is exaggerated, rugby is a really physical game and to make it longer and monger is just ridiculous.

Imo, skip the conference system. Last year there were already a lot of pro's and cons ( but I gave it a chance).
And just let every team face each other once. Local derby's are cool to watch but there will always be the ITM / curry cup.

That way we have 15 weeks of competition and 2-3 weeks of QF, Semis and finale.

A little break and the 4 Nations.

Your thoughts.

 

[LittleGuy]

Thats not a bad idea. I would suggest that each year the teams alternate home vs away, for example lets say this year The Chiefs visit the Stormers, next season it would be flipped so the Stormers would visit the Chiefs.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

The whole conference idea was introduced to please the ARU. The lack of a domestic club competition in Australia is the main reason we are stuck in a competition where we don't even play each team. Nothing will change as long as there is no proper club competition in Australia, and I don't see that happening any time soon

 

[Amobokoboko]

True, but most Ozzies I know don't give a r*****ss about domestic competition ( please note that those people are based in Europe).
According them their sports are cricket, Aussie Rules and League. Union is ok, but most of them only support the Wallabies.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Thats not a bad idea. I would suggest that each year the teams alternate home vs away, for example lets say this year The Chiefs visit the Stormers, next season it would be flipped so the Stormers would visit the Chiefs.

Doesn't always work out like that, because of travel, but it'd be good if they at least tried to make that happen.

 

[TRF_heineken]

It will be a long season, and I see the smaller teams benefit from it as most of the internationals will be rested or on tour at the end of the season.

I think actually the smaller teams without much depth will be negatively influenced... the big teams will use their stars in the beginning to hammer the opposition, making them vulnerable and getting injuries, then by the time the internationals start, the big teams will use their fresher, younger, more hungry guys to fill those spots and to let them loose to show the world what they got... this in contrast to the smaller teams, will have the same guys playing week in, and week out, they'll be tired at the end and may not have the firepower throughout the season.

 

[Gena_ZA]

^^
What heineken said