Jaguares punish Lions in Argentina

Comparing CC, with its third tier players, to SRP, dominated by NZ or England's EPL or France's Top 14, is just silly from a competitive and fan engagement POV. Fan base is determined by Pay TV subscriptions/viewing, not bums on seats. Has been for decades.

Financial issues in general is irrelevant to the article, and my comment on the article. Dragging in this issue demonstrates how weak your argument is.

I am however happy to admit that SA domestic rugby is in a radically better place now in the URC from a financial POV than it was in SR, and also from a fan POV. This is because it's 4 teams are playing and winning more games and getting in finals as well. Playing in a weaker comp has certainly given the SA teams a boost in money and popularity. The improved financial position is almost purely because going into URC has given all four ex SR/URC teams 18 scheduled games a year, plus the 4 scheduled games with European rugby, a more than 50% increase in exposure over SR's 14 games schedule, which has made the TV/Sponsorship rights much more valuable in SA. The secondary issue is the increased market size for sponsors when SA teams are playing in Europe, though that sort of thing tends to be overrated. NZ rugby is going through the process of establishing a proper structure for domestic rugby, with the provinces clinging mindlessly to the past, while the SR teams are trying to go full season. Interesting times for us.

The thing for SA is the competitive side of all this, and therefore the politics. When SA stop winning world cups and the Springboks fall down the world rankings the URC will be blamed for being a distinctly lower quality comp than SR, as will playing 12 months a year in two hemispheres. Erasmus has done a brilliant job managing SA's impossible situation, but it will all eventually turn to crap because SA cant go full Northern Hemisphere and can't get into a quality comp at the 2nd tier. As the saying goes, people always overestimate the impact of change in the short term, underestimate it in the long term.

NZ rugby will, in its stumbling, bumbling way, eventually give its SR teams a full season of games, subordinate the NPC in the process, just like SA has done, finally maximising SR’s financials and fan appeal. NZ will then have a proper structure and a high-quality 2nd tier comp, one that doesn't shred the players, unlike the TOP 14. When the Springboks start falling over, particularly at the RWC, comparisons will be made in SA, fingers will be pointed, and the consequences will flow.

Then we come to this past 6N’s. To me it was so clear that Ireland had another talented 10 in Prendergast, but for me the way to go was to have him as Crowley’s apprentice for at least two seasons. It was just criminal to see this young player so exposed at the top level. A wonderful passer of the ball, with great balance and a cool head, he is still just a growing young man, and lacks the broader talents and physical hardness Crowley has.

I would add that I’m not a Munster man, but an Ulster Australian. Looking forward to the Lions coming, I now can’t see how Farrell can bring Sam Prendergast at all. Both English Smiths and Finn Russell are far better all round players.

And I now feel that Farrell as a coach has serious flaws. That will give the WB’s some hope, imo. But ofc that depends on how he and his coaching team handle the immense talent they have access to in Ireland and Britain. And I do like Farrell, and overall highly rate him as a coach. Just, like Joe Schmidt before him, he does have flaws that can be fatal.

Be careful, posters. Turdflow the Oblivious can read your mind AND will speak on your behalf …