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Australian players' union sets up petition amid Super Rugby concerns

The Australian Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) on Thursday launched a petition in an attempt to prevent Super Rugby chiefs from reducing the number of Australian teams in the competition.

Doubts over which sides will play in Super Rugby remain after governing body SANZAAR met in London this month to discuss changes to the structure.

It has been reported that up to three teams could be cut at the end of the season and RUPA has made its stance clear, setting up a petition in a bid to keep the five Australian franchises going.

RUPA stated on its website: “Reducing our professional franchises drastically weakens the economic potential of the game, decreases elite playing and coaching opportunities for aspiring talent, and signals a game in retreat in the battle for the hearts and minds of fans. Such a decision will cause permanent damage and will affect community rugby as much as the professional game.

“We have five Super Rugby teams all eager to participate in the competition and who have committed to being commercially viable.

“Whether it’s 18 [teams], 16 or 15, there are competition models which support five Australian teams. But the ARU [Australian Rugby Union] may decide that one team won’t be given the chance to continue. 

“Having signed Australian Rugby up to the current Super Rugby competition which has reduced local content, diluted local derby tribalism and disrespected fans with its lack of integrity, we need to protect our future – a Trans-Tasman or Australasian competition.  

“We must protect our teams first.”

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Nickers 19 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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