The Kings have officially been liquidated

[SuisseKiwi]

If a Pacific Island's team based in Northland can't be organised this would be the next best thing. Remember they were up against the Sunwolves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_Pacific_Dragons

Another Asian team is a waste of time, I'd rather have another Argentinian team than another Asian team, they're just not there yet. Argentina at least have a bit of depth to field another side.

The solution is another NZ team though.

 

[nzlizard]

Personally I don't think we need another Kiwi team, we have the talent pool to have a 6th team and they would most probably be quite competitive.

But where do you put them?

 

[Brigantine]

In between Hamilton and Wellington... but easier said than done. Perhaps Yarrow is the least bad option there after all. (otherwise Rotorua, Napier)

I would say Counties, based on population and provincial strength. But for that to work you'd need to badly gerrymander the catchment area into Hawkes Bay or Taranaki or something. The Blues' weakness gives you no room to move that direction. The only sizeable stadium option would be Mt Smart, don't know if that will fly given it's not actually in Counties.

Other potential stadiums (ignoring geography and performance) are in Whangarei and North Harbour.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Apparently there is an article in the South African press about Doug Schoninger of US PRORugby looking to buy a 49% stake in the Kings. Any other news on that?

 

[nickdnz]

Another NZ team is pointless in my opinion. Diluting the teams seems unnecessary - I'd rather just have 5 successful teams.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Schoninger in a different article says "We're bidding on a Super Rugby team".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37866584

Translated text of South African article (that I can't find) is:

"The beleaguered ON Kings may well be American-owned.

It turns out a confidential letter addressed to the South African Rugby Union (Saru) Douglas Schoninger, CEO of PRO Rugby North America.

Jurie Roux will, to be heard later this month with potential American buyers for the UP Kings in London vergader.Foto: Denzil Maregele
Jurie Roux will, to be heard later this month with potential American buyers for the UP Kings in London vergader.Foto: Denzil Maregele
The letter, marked as private and confidential and is owned in Netwerk24, to Jurie Roux, CEO of Saru addressed.

Schoninger Thursday from New York to his interest to acquire the OP Kings, confirmed to Netwerk24.

The Kings are in the midst of an ongoing liquidation of about R14 million.

Netwerk24 learned that Schoninger on 13 November this year with representatives of Saru will meet about the possibility. The meeting will take place in London.

Schoninger suggest that, under the agreement, players and coaches between the Kings and a set American club will move.

PRO Rugby North America is the US professional rugby league that started last year. There are many former Springboks, as Andre Snyman as coach and Pedrie Wannenburg player involved.

In the letter signed by Schoninger, he argues that a "unique" opportunity exists to create a "strategic alliance" between Saru, to establish the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality and PRO.

"PRO wants 49% shareholding and commercial interests in EP Rugby Pty. Ltd. (After liquidation) obtain and 100% shareholding in SA Super Rugby Pty. Ltd. through an entity that will be established by us, "Schoninger said.

SA Super Rugby is an entity that is managed by Saru to look after OP's Super Rugby team and the Currie teams' interests.

The Americans aim to competitive rugby ON "again."

PRO WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY FINANCING TO PROVIDE FOR SKILLED MANAGEMENT, COACHES AND PLAYERS TO OUTSOURCE
Douglas Schoninger, PRO Rugby North America,
"PRO will be able to provide the necessary financing to outsource skilled management, coaches and players to the union financially viable, and to the team competition in the different competitions."

Schoninger from New York confirmed its approach to Saru, saying there was "no agenda" with it.

"We provide the opportunity for greater commercialization. We seek relationships within existing rugby powers such as South Africa, to improve our game. We have no agenda, we just want to promote the game, "he said.

"We will try to do the right thing as far as possible. We want to utilize both their resources so that they will be both beneficial. "

According Schoninger To access PRO access to the Kings' players and coaching staff, and he can offer commercial benefits.

"It's not even about to own the Kings. We will even be happy to establish a relationship. It's just about making it work. Teams must make money. A 'business eerste' approach helps everyone, including the players. "

A Saru spokesman confirmed the approach. "We have received a request for a meeting, and we are working to confer with US Rugby."

Meanwhile ON Rugby's financial predicament deepened with the announcement that the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality will no longer sponsor the union. "It's because of the union's various operating and financial woes," said Sibongile Dimbiza mayor spokesperson.

The situation will be addressed again when the liquidation is completed."

 

[Brigantine]

Another NZ team is pointless in my opinion. Diluting the teams seems unnecessary - I'd rather just have 5 successful teams.

Depends on what SAANZAR does with the format. If they make a 2nd division, they'll want at least a token NZ team in it, and none of the current 5 are likely to volunteer... So a 2nd div franchise in New Plymouth, Napier or Rotorua doesn't seem crazy to me.

How I would probably be aiming to have Super Rugby for 2018-2020:

First Division:

Western Conference:

• Lions
• Stormers
• Sharks
• Waratahs
• Brumbies
• Jaguares

Eastern Conference:

• Blues
• Chiefs
• Hurricanes
• Crusaders
• Highlanders
• Reds

Second Division:

Western Conference:

• Bulls
• Cheetahs
• Kings
• Georgian Lelos

Eastern Conference:

• Rebels
• Force
• Sunwolves
• East Coast Magpies

Each team plays each other team in EITHER the same division OR the same conference, with the 2nd division teams having a return leg within their conference. QF's for 1st division, only SF's for 2nd division. Teams that don't qualify can have friendlies vs One team worldwide promoted/relegated per season, with relegation based on a table excluding inter-division games.

Some 2nd division sides should be partly treated like development sides, i.e. subsidized and less independent

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

More on PRO Rugby connection.

http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2016/11/report-schoninger-interested-in-eastern.html?m=1