Pro 14 - General Thread

[Dave Cahill]

I don't see what the inability of the Irish times hacks to use google translate has to do with the Pro12 managment? This was announced over a month ago and happened this morning. Thats all. A load of second rate clickbait sites decided to make a mountain out of no molehill whatsoever.

[Flash Gordon]

I don't see what the inability of the Irish times hacks to use google translate has to do with the Pro12 managment? This was announced over a month ago and happened this morning. Thats all. A load of second rate clickbait sites decided to make a mountain out of no molehill whatsoever.

Think Zebre had informed the FIR and the Pro 12 that they wouldn't compete. Or at least that's what's being reported. Given that the league kicks off in a few weeks time this and the fact that we don't know the format all feels pretty chaotic to be honest.

[Hornet]

I don't see what the inability of the Irish times hacks to use google translate has to do with the Pro12 managment? This was announced over a month ago and happened this morning. Thats all. A load of second rate clickbait sites decided to make a mountain out of no molehill whatsoever.

Think Zebre had informed the FIR and the Pro 12 that they wouldn't compete. Or at least that's what's being reported. Given that the league kicks off in a few weeks time this and the fact that we don't know the format all feels pretty chaotic to be honest.

The word farce comes to mind.

[johng]

Looks like they may be in Parma after all.......

[simonokeeffe]

I wonder how easy it would be for us to conjure up a completely fake story and get it into mainstream press?

[Grumpy Old Man]

I wonder how easy it would be for us to conjure up a completely fake story and get it into mainstream press?

Like a quid pro quo for SA teams entering the Pro14 is that the SARU back the Irish World Cup bid? Strange that no one has mentioned that.

[kermischocolate]

I wonder how easy it would be for us to conjure up a completely fake story and get it into mainstream press?

Like a quid pro quo for SA teams entering the Pro14 is that the SARU back the Irish World Cup bid? Strange that no one has mentioned that.

Ooh everyone loves a good conspiracy theory. This could be a fun game.

[simonokeeffe]

Im firmly of the belief the SARU are against the move

[Ruckedtobits]

Im firmly of the belief the SARU are against the move

Having heard some SARU members talk prior to the result of the Super Rugby review, they were petrified about the outcome, in conjunction with the prospect of "transformation selections and performances".

There is nothing but support in SA rugby for this solution as it maintains professional competitive rugby in two very traditional heartlands. Free State and Eastern Province were never the controlling influences in SA rugby, but both have long-term rugby histories with hard core membership and traditions. Better playing against the NH than not playing at all.

Possible SA support for our bid? Could be. At present they are a poor third in the betting and their Bid Team does not have any charismatic leadership nor any profile within business or rugby communities. However, be careful of the French. They have a history of political and diplomatic manouvering which make the Brits look like altar boys. At present France are a distant second with the bookies in the Bid Race. But it's not over till the announcement of the winner. Support from SA and their allies might be just what we need to get this over the line.

[rooster]

I wonder how easy it would be for us to conjure up a completely fake story and get it into mainstream press?

Simple enough, several were started on UAFC forum and press ran the stories.

[Flash Gordon]

Looks like they may be in Parma after all.......

Really? Where's that news come from? If there were a second franchise would Rome not make more sense? There are clearly a lot of people who go to watch Italy there and it's easy to get to and from. Most importantly, I'd like to go there on an away trip.

[BlueBlue]

I don't see what the inability of the Irish times hacks to use google translate has to do with the Pro12 managment? This was announced over a month ago and happened this morning. Thats all. A load of second rate clickbait sites decided to make a mountain out of no molehill whatsoever.

FIR reafirmed their commitment to 2 Italian teams in the Pro12 at a meeting with Pro12 CEO at the start of July.

[neill_m]

Looks like they may be in Parma after all.......

Really? Where's that news come from? If there were a second franchise would Rome not make more sense? There are clearly a lot of people who go to watch Italy there and it's easy to get to and from. Most importantly, I'd like to go there on an away trip.

From yesterday:

Zebre Rugby‏ @ZebreRugby · Jul 24
Zebre Rugby will retain their name and will play the @PRO12rugby in Parma. The club got back under the Union ownership with a new management

Parma is easy enough to get to. Fly to Milan and get a train. One of the best away weekends imo during the season along with Treviso and Galway.

[rooster]

Looks like they may be in Parma after all.......

Really? Where's that news come from? If there were a second franchise would Rome not make more sense? There are clearly a lot of people who go to watch Italy there and it's easy to get to and from. Most importantly, I'd like to go there on an away trip.

Most of the people who attend international matches in Rome come from the Northern end of Italy and just travel in for the day. Rugby in general is based from Milan up to to the Austrian border

[Flash Gordon]

I don't see what the inability of the Irish times hacks to use google translate has to do with the Pro12 managment? This was announced over a month ago and happened this morning. Thats all. A load of second rate clickbait sites decided to make a mountain out of no molehill whatsoever.

FIR reafirmed their commitment to 2 Italian teams in the Pro12 at a meeting with Pro12 CEO at the start of July.

To be honest, I really hope they get round the definition of the word "commitment". My understanding is that Benetton are upping their investment in Treviso but both clubs have been underfunded and given that the FIR has failed to translate pretty decent player numbers into top level professional players, plugging the gap with quality imports is probably needed in the short term for the teams to be competitive which they clearly aren't.

Everybody wants the Italian teams to be competitive but they aren't and their most significant contribution to the Champion/Heineken Cup over the years has been to cough up a 10 point start to the teams in their group.

[simonokeeffe]

I wonder how easy it would be for us to conjure up a completely fake story and get it into mainstream press?

Simple enough, several were started on UAFC forum and press ran the stories.

Can you say which ones?

@RTB does it support grassroots game if the 2 Currie cup sides are horsed out the window? Can see the Dutchies being especially against that. In general theyll want as many of their internationals playing the SH season not the NH one as possible

[Ruckedtobits]

I wonder how easy it would be for us to conjure up a completely fake story and get it into mainstream press?

Simple enough, several were started on UAFC forum and press ran the stories.

Can you say which ones?

@RTB does it support grassroots game if the 2 Currie cup sides are horsed out the window? Can see the Dutchies being especially against that. In general theyll want as many of their internationals playing the SH season not the NH one as possible

Two points were made in that regard:
1. Advent of global Season (international windows same North & South) has been agreed already.
2. SA already have almost 100 eligible players across NH leagues. Having two more Squads remaining based in SA is almost the same number of players (c. 50 per Squad).

If, as rumoured, this is a 5/6 year contract for new Pro14 with big backing from Supersport TV contract, this becomes one of the most stable, and thus valuable, competitions within SANZAR rugby. Have no doubt, there has been a decent risk assessment of this proposal within SA rugby and the opportunities outweigh the risks by a margin.

Here's hoping they're right........

[simonokeeffe]

in terms of player welfare though they want their internationals playing in SA

and its not like all these Saffers in NH can or will jump ship to go back to Cheetahs/Kings which will be expensive enough teams to run

[ronk]

A 5/6 contract could have exit clauses.

At the very least it keeps teams warm if Super Rugby expands again. Probably won't be too many internationals in the 2 teams.

[Ruckedtobits]

A 5/6 contract could have exit clauses.

At the very least it keeps teams warm if Super Rugby expands again. Probably won't be too many internationals in the 2 teams.

Had a couple of pints with good SA contact over past couple of days and he suggested that although international numbers will start low, we shouldn't underestimate the attractions for SA players to be able to live and play in S Africa, but have a regular travel and play option in N Hemisphere.

If one is confident in quality of Pro12 / 14 rugby (he is) and Supersport are going to pony up a lot of money based on their assessment that it will be attractive to their audience, this could be a very good competition for S African spectators and players.

Another rumour he picked up from SA blogs is no PRO14 games in S Africa during Dec and Jan

Various suggestions as to why, include:
1. High-season travel & Hotel costs - Squads and travellers - in SA;
2. Climatic conditions excessive for NH players, especially in Bloomfontein;
3. Logical for both SA teams to base themselves in NH for a block of (away) games, max 5 weeks, due to combination of reduced travel risks, getting familiarity with ground conditions, building up fan base in NH, etc.

All sounds pretty logical IMO. Really looking forward to seeing the details as it sounds like a lot of fundamentals have been reviewed from the perspective of the learnings through Super Rugby re travel, climatic differences, kick-off times, seasonal variations etc.

Finally, French media stressing that SA teams not to be eligible from EPCR competitions for minimum of three years and no guarantee after that. But Supersport have rights to those Competitions in SA so pressure will build in time for entry to these.

In this regard, there are pretty strong murmerings in France that BEIN subscriptions for French Rugby have been way short of projections and they are not happy with conflicts between FFR and LNR or rather they are not happy that LNR are losing PR battle with FFR President Laporte.

If TV is the paymaster of NH rugby, we should all be aware of the turmoil going on in the major Networks as technology changes and bored couch potatoes vote with their remotes and desert cable sports channels in droves - in every country - and download their programmes directly from the Web. Watch this space.