Reform the Super 14

Posted by Michael on February 21, 2009, 5:27pm, 161 views

South Africa’s reported threat to withdraw its five teams from Super 14 rugby in favor of a European competition is not a bad thing.

The South Africans have understandable issues with time zone differences and the cost of travel.

Those teams could easily be replaced by sides from Japan, Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga and Victoria.

The Japanese and Pacific clubs would not be national sides because:

a) Some of their national team players would be listed with Australian and New Zealand franchises;

b) They could recruit players from anywhere in the world. The Japanese, in particular, could afford to field a quality line-up.

I can’t see the merit of encouraging Argentine clubs because the same travel and cost issues would exist as they do with South Africa.

These articles might be of interest:

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