So it is confirmed. SANZAR have recommended to expand Super Rugby to 17 teams for the 2016 season (pending agreement with the TV networks) with a South African franchise, heavily favoured to be the Southern Kings, but historically an Argentinean franchise to be based in Buenos Aires. However, SANZAR’s announcement on Thursday last week caused ruffles across the rugby world in the southern hemisphere, with notable winners and losers. We look at who stands to gain but also lose from Super Rugby expansion.
Winners
Argentina
Without a shadow of a doubt the inclusion of an Argentine franchise is a historic decision, which was met with jubilation and delight. Squad members of the Pumas, Argentine rugby journalists and fans shared their delight on Twitter. The decision by SANZAR to expand the competition to South America is the culmination of seven years of hard work by the UAR. What kick started their push to be included among the establishment of world rugby was their brilliant run in the 2007 World Cup where their 3rd placed finish shocked everyone.
Their quarter final finish in the 2011 Rugby World Cup showed their efforts in France four years ago were no fluke. Being admitted into the Rugby Championship in 2012 indicated a Super Rugby franchise was in the pipeline in the future. Alas, it has happened, which will allow the growth of rugby in the country to prosper with exposure in such a top competition like Super Rugby. Home games in Argentina should be a sight to see seeing that Argentina have some of the most passionate fans in the world.
World Cup winning coach Sir Graham Henry saw that for himself while a technical adviser under the Pumas from 2012-13 speaking of how amateur club games brought in 5,000-6,000 fans per game. Argentina’s youth set up is quite good with their U20 national side doing well in previous Junior World Championship – notably in 2012 where they finished 4th.
South Africa
The pressure enacted by the SARU to put a sixth franchise has paid off with the inclusion of another team in Super Rugby. No doubt the rumours of South Africa looking flirtatiously at Europe helped jolt SANZAR in giving the South Africans what they wanted. No longer will they be relegation/promotion matches into Super Rugby.
The sixth franchise is likely to be the Southern Kings and though they finished bottom of Super Rugby the crowd in Port Elizabeth were vociferious whether their team were in attack or defence. Whether the Kings can do well in Super Rugby that remains to seen because a few of their players like Demetri Catrakilis (now at the Stormers) are not there anymore. Certainly South Africa has the resources to have a sixth franchise hence why they have requested it these last few years. But SANZAR’s decision will no doubt please the SARU and the Southern Kings.
Losers
Australia
Expanding Super Rugby will hurt the Australians purely on a financial level, which is an area rugby union in Australia is currently struggling at the moment. Even though in 2013 the Australian Rugby Union gained $100 million (Australian dollars) in revenue for the year largely thanks to the Lions tour they merely received a turnover of just $10 million. In addition, in 2013 four out of the five Australian franchises in Super Rugby operated at a financial loss for the year, with only the Queensland Reds able to boast a profit. Even the Brumbies whose surprising yet heroic run to the Super Rugby final announced they were running at a loss.
The lifeblood of these Australian franchises is mainly derby games – notably Reds vs Waratahs, Brumbies vs Reds & Waratahs vs Reds as well as game against the other two franchises – the Western Force & Melbourne Rebels. These matches bring in the fans and drive up the total match revenue hence boosting the financial coffers of these clubs. The fear among the Australians is that by expanding the competition to 17 teams will mean the number of derbies will be drastically reduced. That would seriously hurt the financial outlook of these clubs notably as the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) help prop up the Rebels and Western Force with financial support.
With rugby union being usurped by Aussies rules (AFL), rugby league (the NRL), and challenged by the A-League with soccer growing in Australia rugby union is finding it difficult to make themselves heard. Cutting the derbies could hurt them even more.
New Zealand
In New Zealand the five Kiwi franchises aren’t too happy with the expansion of Super Rugby mainly for two reasons. Firstly, they are worried it will mean an extenstion of the season by two weeks, as well as traveling long distance that will wear out the players even further. One of the voices against the expansion has been Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie. His words while talking to the Sydney Morning Herald wasn’t exactly rolling out the carpet for expansion:
“The New Zealand coaches wanted a legitimate competition where everyone plays everyone. All the other scenarios include more teams, more travel and more time away from home. Their proposal has the same amount of games, but it’s not necessarily in the best interests of player welfare for our players.”
The second reason why the New Zealanders aren’t happy with SANZAR’s decision is they aren’t sure whether Argentina would be competitive enough. What Rennie doesn’t seem to know is that quite a few of the Argentine internationals playing in Europe are quite interested in moving to the southern hemisphere to play Super Rugby – a competition they will no doubt find it different to the sometimes forward dominated Top 14 in France where many Argentine players ply their trade.
In regards to expansion to South Africa it is regarded in New Zealand as a political move to placate them. David Moffett, former boss of the Welsh & New Zealand Rugby Union went a step further adding the inclusion of South Africa was politically motivated. He further added:
“There certainly aren’t enough quality players in South Africa for six professional teams. It’s absolute insanity. People will get fed up. The quality of rugby will just go down further.”
However, there is support in Steve Tew, the chief executive of the NZRU, who backs the decision to expand Super Rugby into South Africa and Argentina for the start of the 2016 season. However, it is clear there are those in New Zealand that feel South Africa got the large end of the stick and the Kiwis the short end.
Pacific Islanders
When the news came about the expansion into South Africa and Argentina there were many that asked the question – why not include a Pacific Islanders team? It’s a valid argument with several good points backing this argument. Samoa, Tonga and Fiji have a plethora of talent playing in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Samoan scrum half Fotuali’i (playing in England for Northampton Saints) Fijian Napolioni Nalaga (playing in France with Clermont Auvergne) and Tongan Fetu’u Vainikolo (now at English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs) are just a small sample of players the Pacific Islanders could call upon.
The nations of the Pacific Islanders (notably Samoa and Tonga) have notched impressive wins on the international stage in the last couple of years: notably in the 2012 autumn internationals where Samoa beat Wales in Cardiff while Tonga shocked Scotland. However, there are several reasons why a Pacific Islander team in Super Rugby won’t be included, at least for now at least.
While Argentina can bring a notable TV audience of millions for an Argentina match in the Rugby Championship the population of the combined Pacific Islanders is just 1.16 million. For any sporting event the highest income to the organisers of the competition comes from TV rights. SANZAR know that Argentina has potential in terms of its national team and sponsors. Interestingly ratings in Argentina for their games in the Rugby Championship are good, including games not involving Argentina.
A smaller but important reason is several Pacific Islanders have gone to France mainly because of the lucrative wages on offer. In most Top 14 teams there is a Fijian, Samoan or Tongan plying their trade in France. In addition, it would be hard for a Pacific Islander team to host games, especially as very few Tier 1 teams tour Samoa, Fiji or Tonga with Scotland the last team to tour Samoa & Fiji in 2012.
Argentina was only admitted into the now Rugby Championship after incessant pressure from the UAR after the Pumas’ run to the semi-finals in the 2007 World Cup. Samoa, Tonga or Fiji would have to do the same thing to get the IRB’s attention and currently only Samoa look like potential dark horses for the 2015 World Cup in England. Even if they were admitted it is likely they would host home games either in Australia or New Zealand where there is a strong Pacific Islanders community.
Though there are notable winners & losers as a result of Super Rugby expanding to 17 teams we will have to wait till 2016 to see the fortunes of the new teams from South Africa and Argentina.
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