New break away Euro League

flsghujslkuo

Examiner:

A REBEL “Super 14” style breakaway by many of Europe’s top clubs is on the cards.


Southern hemisphere reports yesterday claim that leading franchises in Ireland, England and France are in talks with broadcaster Setanta Sports to set up what will effectively be a European version of the Super 14.

If the deal comes off, leading clubs in Europe will become even richer and will be operating outside the auspices of the International Rugby Board.
Clubs such as Toulouse, Wasps, Leicester and Biarritz would have the ability to offer stars such as Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw €1 million a year.

Fears are already mounting that unless the clubs can be persuaded to remain aligned with the IRB, the 2011 World Cup will be reduced to a sham tournament where none of the best players are made available.

New Zealand has already felt the increasing spending power of the European clubs in recent months with Carl Hayman, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack and Byron Kelleher all signing to play offshore after the World Cup this year. Other big southern hemisphere names could follow, with Luke McAlister and Stephen Larkham being coveted by French clubs. At 23, McAlister is also considering heading to Toulouse, and Sitiveni Sivivatu and Nick Evans have both been linked with Agen.

Concern is growing in New Zealand at the proposed breakaway. NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said: “We are watching developments with considerable interest and are hopeful that both parties can find a solution.”

All Black coach Graham Henry has warned NZ fans they should expect a mass exodus of New Zealand players after the Rugby World Cup.

“I think ‘Joe Bloggs’ doesn’t understand the pressure the players are under,” said Henry.

“There are huge expectations on these guys. They play 12 or 13 tests a season and they play big Super 14 games — it is big games all the time.

“Not so long ago a guy might take six or seven years to win 35 caps. Now he can do that in three or four years.

“These guys are committed to the All Black jersey but some take the view they need to get out from under the microscope. It’s nobody’s fault, it’s just the nature of the beast.”

But Henry is confident any breakaway competition will be ultimately doomed. “We have seen in the past, with other sports, that when people try to get away from the establishment they have major issues with quality.

“History shows these breakaways have not worked. The game cannot be split.”

flsghujslkuo

I think it would be great for Irish rugby especially if Munster, Ulster and Leinster could get involved! It would be more competitive than the Bulmers League.

My Euro14 League:

Tolouse, Leicester, Sale, Cardiff, Llanelli, Swansea, Munster, Leinster, Biarritz, Stade, Newcastle, Ulster, Bourgoin and Castres.

WhatsGoingOn

flsghujslkuo wrote:

I think it would be great for Irish rugby especially if Munster, Ulster and Leinster could get involved! It would be more competitive than the Bulmers League.

My Euro14 League:

Tolouse, Leicester, Sale, Cardiff, Llanelli, Swansea, Munster, Leinster, Biarritz, Stade, Newcastle, Ulster, Bourgoin and Castres.

It would be a disaster for Irish Rugby. It would mean the end of any meaningful international rugby as the players wouldn't care about internationals anymore. Also the 3 Irish teams mentioned are all part of the IRFU that woud never let it happen, so new clubs would be formed.

flsghujslkuo

Why would players not care about internationals?

Surely playing at a high standard every week would be good for players. If there would be more money for clubs and the clubs keep up playing a majority of Irish players like they do presently then I can't possibly see how it would damage Irish rugby: I mean with more money clubs could be more proffesional in the AIL and offer more contracts to devopment players and attract more players from GAA. Get paid for playing vs. not.

It's a great idea IMO but likely never to happen.

zAbbo

flsghujslkuo wrote:

Why would players not care about internationals?

Imagine a NZ or Aus team without home playing players, meaningless tests.

Sandwich

Worrying for rugby world wide. It would be only filling a void tho that the IRB have left vacant, and they only have themselves to blame for not comming up with a coordinated system of world ruby competitions.

Disaster for the small countries except for their few very elite individuals who wil profit personally.

daveirl

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Sangre

Never, ever going to happen. Simple scaremongering.

Steffano2002

I didn't even bother finishing the article to be honest... "Scaremomgering" is the perfect word to describe it!

RuggieBear

daveirl wrote:

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That's the bit i found strange. Where's the big London club, the big Paris Club, any Scottish clubs.:eek:

damnyanks

its an article about european clubs in a nz paper. If it had any meaning it would of had some coverage up here. Obviously its a load of bull.

daveirl

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RuggieBear

daveirl wrote:

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your right. their are no excuses.

Snickers Man

You've got to imagine that the French and English clubs who are rattling their sabres have a plan B, and that it probably revolves around attracting top-notch players first and foremost before approaching big sponsors to say "Look. We have the players. They want to play for us because we will make them millionaires, like their soccer counterparts, and limit the number of matches they will have to play for international sides. Put your money with us."

This pitch will be made easier as I said before, by the torrent of superannuated Kiwis who will flock over here AFTER the World Cup. Note the ones mentioned already as having signed up for European clubs. Their ages at the end of the tournament will be:
Byron Kelleher: 30
Chris Jack: 29
Carl Hayman: 27
Aaron Mauger: 26

None of these guys could be called 'old' by modern proessional standards, but they probably realise that they are unlikely to be around for the next world cup so they are cashing in while they can. And there's loads more like them.

I think it could happen. I think the idea that three Irish 'Teams' will be invited to participate is fanciful in the extreme. We would be lucky to be offered one. I think it could end up a bit like th eKerry Packer World Series Cricket fiasco in the 1970s.

The key thing he had, although he was beaten down in the end but not before he caused a sesimic shift in the world of cricket, was the commitment of the players. This was in the days when they were paid a pittance for the "honour of representing your country" and the MCC had rules restricting the number of nights that a player on tour was allowed to sleep with his wife.

The players will decide this in the end. It might be a good idea to keep them on side.

I would absolutely throw up if something like this happened. And would probably not go to any more games. But you never know. Essentially the game is not broke so don't fix it.

flsghujslkuo

How could anyone not want to watch it if it happened. It would have great games every week!

I dare say it may be taken more seriously than the Bulmers league... now that's a joke in Ireland. Munster barely show up! any league that has Leinster on top must be ridiculus!

RuggieBear

flsghujslkuo wrote:

any league that has Leinster on top must be ridiculus!

Careful now.

daveirl

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buck65

This is ridiculous, the clubs and IRB will come to some suitable arrangement for the HCup for all.
Surely the French should look at revamping their own games with a few less games a year.
I think without the HCup the Magners league would profit big time in improved play (i.e clubs would take it seriously) and improved attendances.

legspin

Snickers Man wrote:

This pitch will be made easier as I said before, by the torrent of superannuated Kiwis who will flock over here AFTER the World Cup. Note the ones mentioned already as having signed up for European clubs. Their ages at the end of the tournament will be:
Byron Kelleher: 30
Chris Jack: 29
Carl Hayman: 27
Aaron Mauger: 26

None of these guys could be called 'old' by modern proessional standards, but they probably realise that they are unlikely to be around for the next world cup so they are cashing in while they can. And there's loads more like them.

I can't believe that Hayman thinks he won't be around for the next world cup. He's just coming in to his prime as a prop now. In 4 more years he may have lost a yard or two but he's a prop, blistering speed is not that high in the priorities stakes.

Hayman is coming to earn a few quid after the world cup for, I'd say, two years. Then he can toddle off back to NZ in time for the next world cup, one he certainly wont want to miss.

Snickers Man

Deleted User wrote:

Hayman is coming to earn a few quid after the world cup for, I'd say, two years. Then he can toddle off back to NZ in time for the next world cup, one he certainly wont want to miss.

But who's coming behind him breathing down his neck? There's probably some hot-shot 22 year old Maori with the build of a prop and the pace of a winger threatening his place. You never know with them Kiwis.

Sangre

Don't you mean them Fijians/Somoans/Tongans/Kiwis?

RuggieBear

Sangre wrote:

Don't you mean them Fijians/Somoans/Tongans/Kiwis?

don't forget australians either...

thebaz

RuggieBear wrote:

That's the bit i found strange. Where's the big London club, the big Paris Club, any Scottish clubs.:eek:

i'd say the English clubs would definitly agree to 3 entries , same as Ireland and Wales .. the French themslves mighn't be too happy with only 4 entries -- and the poor Scots are just wiped away -- I'm not a great fan of Scottish rugby , but they are an integral part of NH rugby.