'Guinness Pro 14' announcement appears imminent
In an ironic twist of fate, within a few hours Southern Kings and Cheetahs will face off in a fixture that will be both sides Super Rugby swan song. And as the curtain begins to close, an announcement has yet to be made on what will become of Super Rugby's outcasts.
There appears little doubt however, that both teams will be competing in a re-invented Guiness Pro 12 format from September onwards. Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster all but confirmed what many have presumed when speaking to Bloemfontein based radio station OFM.
“We have opted to accept a settlement with SA Rugby, rather than fight the issue in court because we have a contract to play Super Rugby until 2020.
“We have negotiated an amicable solution and there is a wonderful opportunity for us up north, for the Cheetahs and Kings. It will be easier to travel and so on, so we’re excited about the new venture."
The fixtures for the upcoming Pro 12 season have yet to be released, by comparison the Aviva Premiership fixtures were released almost a week ago. The reason for the uncertainty and delay in making a formal statement appears to be due to the Pro 12 board wishing to make the announcement themselves.
“Unfortunately they have opted to make the release themselves once everything is in place," said Verster.
“That will be around about the 15th of July, once their board is in place. It’s a company and SA Rugby will be joining and be a part of the company as shareholders.
“Once those things have settled they will make the big announcement as to exactly where, when and how it will work.
The Pro 12 in its current format, just about squeezes into an already chaotic Northern Hemisphere schedule. The addition of two new teams will be no small feat when attempting to take player welfare into account.
A re-imagined structure could see the league split into two conferences, seven teams in each and an expanded play-off system. Whatever structure they roll out by July the 15th, it's apparent that sticking with the status quo would not be in the best interest of the players.
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Thanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
Go to commentsif the clock could be turned back, Jones should still have been given the top job, to be assisted by Farrell, Borthwick, Catt, & Rowntree, and after 2019 he should have been replaced by Farrell.
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