South African sides set to join Pro12 |
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Eastern outpost
Rambler Joined: 13 March 2012 Location: South Suffolk Status: Offline Points: 21936 |
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Have just reserved some accommodation for my guess at the finals weekend date. Nothing ventured...... |
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In a world where you can be anything – Be Kind.
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henry_winkler
Veteran Dont believe a word...... Joined: 12 January 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2797 |
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It means we could miss out on a home fixture against any of those mentioned above. We will play everyone at least once plus those in our own conference twice (home and away) and I think they are throwing in some extra Welsh derbies too. |
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Mr Ian
Veteran Joined: 06 February 2012 Location: Italy Status: Offline Points: 7121 |
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Yesterday there was in Rome a meeting between Pro12 CEO and Fir presidente Gavazzi, at the end of the day 2 italian teams are confirmed untile the end of contract in 2020 and no sure the 2 SA teams start in this season...this is what Press said, of course We font know other informations..
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minded
Admin Group Joined: 09 July 2009 Location: N18 Status: Online Points: 11889 |
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supertaf
Veteran Joined: 17 August 2004 Location: Down the Parc Status: Offline Points: 9079 |
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Scarlets - Suppliers of fine rugby since 1872
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John
Veteran Joined: 15 August 2004 Status: Offline Points: 4995 |
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Watching the Kings v Cheetahs now- to be charitable, it probably has an end of term feel to it with defences way under the standard of the pro 12. But one aspect is promising- the officiating is good and clear which could help alleviate one of our perennial problems. I'd be content to see this referee/linesman team next season.
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salmidach
Veteran Joined: 15 August 2004 Location: I Love Llanelli Status: Offline Points: 12745 |
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what happens if they win the league or even get in the top 7?
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They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance - Terry Pratchett
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ScarletSpiderman
Veteran Joined: 20 August 2012 Location: Milford Haven Status: Offline Points: 2553 |
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Will we get their officials over here, or will the league see it as less costly to allow them home officials |
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NobbySosban
Veteran Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6278 |
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It's a short statement, but Pro12 have broken the silence.
Read more at http://www.pro12rugby.com/2017/07/19/statement-pro12-talks-with-south-african-rugby-union/#QbIxrFitCiTsuQwH.99 A few negative comments on Scarlets' Facebook page about ST refunds & reductions - does my swede in. This has to be the best value Season Ticket in UK professional sport. |
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hoppy
Veteran Joined: 22 May 2009 Status: Offline Points: 2408 |
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When word came out of South Africa on Tuesday that the new Pro14, including the Kings and the Cheetahs, was a done deal for the coming season the reaction varied depending on which part of the world you happened to be in. In South Africa, the news was greeted warmly, particularly in Bloemfontein, home of the Cheetahs, and Port Elizabeth, home of the Kings. Having been dumped from next season's Super Rugby competition, the pair of them have been yanked from death's door. If there's uncertainty surrounding the championship they're entering it's as nothing compared to the fears they had when extinction was beckoning. This is a victory for their fans and players. Closer to home, there was confusion and doubt. Expansion seems to have happened at breakneck speed. Supporters are finding it hard to get their heads around it. Fourteen teams in two conferences of seven? Why? Two weak South African sides? Again, why? What's the point? How will throwing in two sides that have no connection with northern hemisphere rugby add to the competitive nature of the competition? The Pro12 needs to be about genuine edge and rivalry. To many voicing their opinion on social media, this smacks of a watering-down of those very qualities. A manufactured solution to bringing in a few bob. What's happening here?The bottom line in all of this is money. The main goal is not so much about strengthening the quality of the league - although that's obviously an aim - it's about getting access to new cash in the increasingly expensive world of professional rugby. It's about getting more finance in an attempt at not being lapped by the truly moneyed clubs of England and France. A deal was struck in Dublin on Tuesday to admit the Cheetahs and the Kings. Next week should bring a public announcement that the Pro14 has been born. The fixture list could follow the week after next. The season will begin in early September. The speed in which this plan has been put together is extraordinary. The South Africans have committed to a six-season deal and will deliver about £6m per season to the new league, mostly through their domestic television rights. It may be small-time money compared to the riches on offer in club rugby in England and France, but it's much needed. It's a 50% increase on what the Pro12 currently makes from TV rights. It's £36m over six years. There will be scepticism about the format - and, in some cases, outright condemnation and forecasts of the death of the league - but the finances of this have to be taken into consideration in any analysis. This league desperately needs to bring in more money. Why is the cash so badly needed? Because the pro game is becoming wildly expensive and it's only heading in one direction. With so much money in England and France, it's getting harder for the Scottish, Welsh and Irish teams to hold on to their marquee players. They need more financial firepower to either persuade a star to stay or persuade a player of similar ability to join. When, for instance, Stuart Hogg won player of the year in the 2016 Six Nations, two things happened: he announced himself as a player of world stature while simultaneously making himself an attractive proposition for richer clubs. The Scottish Rugby Union had to break the bank to keep Hogg at Glasgow Warriors as a consequence. This is the by-product of success. The unions in Wales and Ireland could tell similar tales. Though nothing has happened as yet, the SRU will be anticipating a move from England or France for fly-half Finn Russell at some point. Every last penny helps the process of trying to keep their top players at home. The likely formatThree different structures have been mooted, but the two-conference system looks like the probable winner. Two groups of seven teams - two Irish, two Welsh and one each from Scotland, Italy and South Africa in each conference - play each other home and away. That's 12 games. All teams from conference one play all teams from conference two. That's another seven games, making it 19. There will be two extra derby games on top of that - the 1872 Cup, for instance, will be a three-game affair - to bring the total to 21. Then there's play-offs. This is not written in stone, but the top side from each conference advance to the semi-finals. Teams placed second and third in each conference play each other to determine the other two semi-finalists. A South African side can win the Pro14 but cannot qualify to play in the Champions Cup. Sources in South Africa say they're aware that the Cheetahs and the Kings have been dismal in Super Rugby and a repeat of their performance of recent seasons would do horrendous damage to those trying to rebrand the Pro14. The South Africans intend to boost their teams' squads even if they have to move players from their other franchises. That may not happen in season one of the Pro14, but it should happen in season two and beyond. By then, the Pro14 could look even more different. There is said to be a "70% chance" that an American franchise, possibly based in Washington, will join the competition next season. This could be at the expense of Italians Zebre, who are in perpetual crisis. It was reported on Tuesday that their players have not been paid in two months. Zebre appear to be in an extremely parlous state. What happens next?We wait for the lawyers to pore over every last document, which will take place next week. Then the formal announcement will happen and the process of selling the new competition will begin. The Pro14 will need a mountainous promotional budget on that front. In South Africa, there may be relief at seeing their teams saved and excitement about seeing what they might achieve in the new competition, but here, the dominant mood is apprehension. The Pro12 board has built a bridge to South Africa, but they're also going to have to break down a wall to convince many of their core supporters that this thing can work. As one source said on Tuesday: "We know there are a lot of misgivings out there, but it's not a case of wanting this to succeed, it's a case of needing it to succeed. "With the way the rugby world is going - with so much money in other leagues - there's no other option for any of us. We have to adapt and we have to make a success of this." Edited by minded - 20 July 2017 at 2:53pm |
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joni_bach
Senior Member Joined: 27 August 2015 Location: Llanelli Status: Offline Points: 513 |
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Here's an idea, let one of the teams play at Sardis Road and change their name to the Celtic Cheetahs and base the other in Galashiels and call them the Border Kings....anyone?
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salmidach
Veteran Joined: 15 August 2004 Location: I Love Llanelli Status: Offline Points: 12745 |
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the fixtures will take f'ing ages to come out now!!!
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They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance - Terry Pratchett
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franciskieran
Senior Member Joined: 11 September 2005 Location: Swindon, UK Status: Offline Points: 326 |
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It is getting a bit close to the start of season now, about 1 month till official season starts and no official fixtures list released from Pro12 or 14...I just hope we can play all the teams in one whole league than the silly 2 conferences (my opinion)....
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KID A
Moderator Group Joined: 16 August 2004 Location: Cardiff Status: Offline Points: 27572 |
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It will surely be conferences. Anayi is keen not to play games in the 6N. I just hope nobody has to fly to south africa within a week or so of a big Euro away game in France for example. |
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roy munster
Veteran Joined: 30 August 2010 Status: Online Points: 15682 |
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thats definitely my preference too, theres enough free weekends to make that work
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ROYMOND MUNTER MBE (FOR SERVICES TO THE COMBOVER)
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Tim Opolis
Veteran Joined: 21 April 2008 Location: Llanelli Status: Offline Points: 17990 |
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Every indication given thus far is that there will be 2 conferances, i dont think its up for debate. Anybody hoping for anything differant may well be disappointed.
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Tymor nesa Duw, plis tymor nesa.
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