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Ex-Irish international takes aim at Pro14 'dead rubbers', claims many teams 'have nothing to offer'
By Online Editors
Ex-Irish international Donal Lenihan has blasted the Pro14, questioning the direction of the competition that has 'too many dead rubbers' and teams that 'offer nothing' other than cannon fodder for a few Irish giants.
"The minute you saw the Ulster side announced, the game became a foregone conclusion and that was disappointing," Lenihan said when speaking on 2FM's Game On radio show.
Lenihan pointed out Leinster's ability to roll out second string teams and still beat just about anybody. Leinster steamrolled Ulster 40-7.
"Connacht and Munster had sufficient numbers of their top players in action and that was good to see.
"But then look at Leinster. I don't know if there is a team in any sport that are 19 points ahead in a league table, chopping and changing their side as they do?
The future growth of the competition comes into question without serious competition which Lenihan thinks is a problem, highlighting the small attendance numbers as a symptom.
"Overall, the Pro 14 has too many dead rubbers, too many teams putting out under-strength sides for games away from home. That's something we've been criticising the French top 14 sides for years.
"I would be worried for the future of the Pro14. How many games have we seen with small attendances?
The quality of some teams is a serious issue, in particular, the South African teams which haven't proved to be competitive on a regular basis.
"The likes of the Cheetahs, Zebre, Dragons and Southern Kings have little or nothing to offer.
"I have been very disappointed with the South African sides. I gave them the benefit of the doubt when they came into the tournament as they were coming out of a Super Rugby season.
"The South African stadiums are far too big.
"There is a suggestion that you could have two more South Africa franchises - The Sharks and The Bulls.
"If they are going to join they have to take it seriously."
A bright spot for the league has been the improvement made by Italian side Benetton, according to Lenihan.
"One positive is the advancement made by Benetton. They sit third in Conference B. They beat Glasgow over the weekend and have won seven matches so far. So that is some spark from the Italian scene.
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Latest Comments
Perenara is super woke, the treaty of long ago is irrelevant to a game of rugby in Italy. By referencing it and claiming the countries going through tough times is clearly because Perenara doesn't agree with the democratically elected government of New Zealand that people from all ethnicities voted for. Perenara is making it divisive and political despite many of his team mates that wouldn't agree with his decision. The Allblacks saved this year's worst performance to combine it with the most divisive haka statement. Perhaps it's overdue now for NZ rugby to leave the haka for home games only, ensure that only the players that want to do it are included and never again have 'insertions' added by political activist players.
Go to commentsI expected a larger win than this and the ABs were off slightly whilst the rested Italians were well up for this and gave a real committed performance
Frustrating but a lot of those ABs forwards have done huge minutes this tour and Italy are not the side from the World Cup
Remember they beat wales and Scotland in the 6N
Drew with France and lost to England by 3
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