Antidote NZ

And while we are at it bring back 2.30 kick offs for test matches. Used to love afternoons of test matches. Early kickoffs for club games and into the clubhouse for the test. Stuff the tv times. Give the game back to the people who actually play it.

Its good somebody of note has spoken out. Focus on Super teams has ripped the heart from provincial rugby. The NPC is a joke of a competition which has been condensed so much the players are burning out and not playing at their best for such a short period.

Im not convinced. Its not a terrible idea, but I think it creates too much of a gap between the ABs/international rugby and the next tear down. Spreads our top talent that is currently condensed into five super rugby teams, to 14 (potentially less if it were to go ahead) provincial sides and weakens the overall skill and ability of the teams. On the other hand it provides more opportunity for young players trying to break into professional rugby. I think our hierarchically tier rugby system is actually the best in the world. Ive played rugby in UK, where each league is promotion/relegation from the Premiership right down to level 9 rugby (usually County 3rd grade) - where, if you win each league year after year you could theoretically progress from a level 9 club to the Premiership. The problem is, you have to leave clubs if you want play at a higher level and get noticed.By contrast, NZs rugby system works in a hierarchy where you can enter club rugby in U21s, play well to make Senior As, go from Senior As to provincial representatives, from there to super rugby and from super rugby to the ABs, at the top of the pyramid. Our system may be slightly broken in terms of commercialism, profitability and viewership, but it is head and shoulders above the rest of the world in terms of talent identification and development pathways for players. Its not broken, it doesnt need to be completely rebuilt - it may do with some slight mending though.

What is your point or are you too young to remember JK arguably one of our greatest players!

Is that why france pays millions for some of our rugby players?

You are obviously very young. Anyone that was around when JK was on the wing for that magnificent era of auckland and all black rugby will remember him as a fantastic player with a very solid skill set. I should know. I was a canterbury fan but you have to acknowledge class. JK had it in spades.

Well said might even get some bums on seats at actual games, especially families who dont want to take their kids out at night.

Like it JK, and it is a win win all round.

Dead right JK. I would go and watch Taranaki every time, even though they lost a few thus year, but I would not cross the road to watch the chiefs or the hurricanes.The local colours mean something.

I like it.

agreed

I agree with you being in agreement with Ghp123 being in agreement with JK.

Could not agree more 100% JK super rugby ruined our beloved as it was NPCEven the wonderfull ranfurly lost its touch you only have to see the crowd the Naki, mooloo sad.

I agree to agree

great ideas jk. my local stadium has speedway as its #1 sport. rugby now just fills in the gaps between speedway seasons. hurricanes only play locally once every three years. something has to change.

24 years after Super Rugby, I still cannot really get excited about the competition. There is no week-in, week-out stuff. Your team plays for 2 weeks at home, then you dont see them again for 4 weeks as they go touring africa playing games at 3am which I am never going to get up for. I just dont care about blues v sharks or whoever. However, you get Auckland v Canterbury or whoever, the old history and tribalism comes back immediately because there is 100 years of history there. Kirwans idea has merit because if all blacks turn out for their provinces, I truly think the crowds would come back to Eden Park and wherever else (especially if you have a Shield Challenge). The international africa games are kept to a minimum but every week, your team is playing at a hospitable hour.

If you drop Super Rugby in favour of a a Heineken Cup-like competition including South African teams, the South African teams will go to the real Heineken Cup - way more money and closer viewer time slots.

Im with you JK 100%Lets build our own brand and broaden the national game domestically whilst entertaining the top teams from Australia South Africa and Japan. Those three need to do the same especially the Aussies

Have you forgotten about the Black Ferns winning world competition in last few years? And female involvement in playing is increasing. Perhaps you could explain how this is ruining rugby in NZ.

Theres something in this. local rugby is essentially tier grade 3 as it stands, and it shows. Theres too much rugby and theres little to attract you to a local game level.Ditch the Super 25, or whatever number its up to now, and bring them home. Its all very commercial nowadays and frankly a lot of people are over it.