The Super 14 competition sucks. Here are some reasons why.
Firstly, there is no affiliation with the South African teams. I can’t even name all the SA teams without using the internet and I have no idea where they are from in SA. Not only that I cant name one player in each side.
Although I am not a fan of the Super 14, the point I make is that after 10 years, the only knowledge of the SA teams that has seeped into my brain is that they are mainly crap and have never won the title.
The fact that they are poor also reinforces the fact that they are here to make up the numbers and add some spice to what would have otherwise have been a trans tasman competition.
Contrast this with the NRL where most teams have at least one New Zealander and are based in locations that most of us have either visited/lived in or aware of. Following a Kiwi player’s progress gives us a real connection with a team – imagine how many more NZ fans the Bulldogs and the Tigers have because of SBW and Benji Marshall.
Secondly the game times – Games from Perth or SA are on at ridiculous times of night. I used to stay up and watch All Black v Springbok test matches, but who fancies staying up to watch two regional sides go head to head in SA? Not me that’s for sure. Those games are even more irrelevant than the rest.
Thirdly it is a competition set up simply to sell broadcasting rights and make money. Ain’t nothing wrong with that as all pro sport competitions sell their TV rights and generate revenue.
The difference is most of these were up and running in some shape long before the era of broadcasting rights arrived. The Air NZ Cup and NRL are but two examples. What makes things uncomfortable is the knowledge that if News Ltd pull the pin on the competition that it may well die – meaning money is it’s only reason for being.
Fourthly, it’s the rugby itself. It is uninspired and lacks intensity (apart from the finals). The losing team in the NRL grand final is usually full of tears. This shows how important that one game is. I’ve yet to see a Super 14 final loser shed a tear - they just start focusing on the Tri Nations series.
And one more - the Super 14 has not helped us win a World Cup. OK, we can’t blame the Super 14 for us losing World Cups, but as we’ve not one the title since 1987, by definition it’s been no help!
2 comments ↓
Greetings,
I would like to speak with you about publishing some of your future articles on rugby (and cricket).
Cheers,
michelle@sportingo.com
Oooops, looks like the crap South African sides are the only teams left in the competition this year. The Joel Stransky sloted drop goal still hurt does it? Amazing how the gulf between the Northern and Southern hemisphere deepened through the introduction of the Super14 until the Northern chaps played some catch up with more Region based competitions themselves to bring a broader range of depth to their International setups.
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