Sharks v Lions - The Facts

Blues are tragically awful this season, just goes to show that last year was a fluke due to some weak sides in the mix.

Ollie Norris I think was on the last ABs XV tour, but there is still competition in that team as well at prop. Numia, Fusitua, and Bower are all sure to make it difficult for him to get game time.

No it’s not reasonable to think that. Listen, they came 5th in the 6N.

Now that you’re paying attention, the names you mentioned were just as involved as their opposites. Can’t fathom that? First, check the stats, second, realise that the Chiefs don’t change their game plan/structure when Jacomb takes over from Dmac. Those two are the complete opposite in terms of play style, and wanting to Jacomb to run around players like they did, to hit gaps on the edge, resulted in him topping the carries stats.

Chiefs have been the complete opposite of outstanding all season, ridiculous to think they were in a loosing effort, but the failure of the attack structure without Dmac is basically the difference between these two teams. Finau was a menace out wide, keep you eye on him for the rest of the season based on that performance!

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.