Rugby’s ‘IPL’ going ahead

Plans for the proposed International Super Rugby (ISR) tournament are set to go ahead, despite SANZAR confirming that they will not support the IPL-styled competition set to be launched in January 2012.

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SANZAR had discussed the concept with the promoters of the competition, including his Erasmus and his namesake lawyer friend, Frikkie Erasmus, but the feedback was overwhelmingly negative due to the potential impact on the preparation of teams for Super Rugby in 2012.

However, Frikkie Erasmus has dismissed the SANZAR rejection – insisting that their approval for the tournament was not required as it would feature, “a different code of rugby which does not fall under the jurisdiction.”

“It was clear to me that they [SANZAR] felt threatened by our format and were not supportive of the idea,” Erasmus told Scrum.com.

“It therefore came as no surprise when they decided not to support it. As explained to them when I met with them, it was out of courtesy and not because their consents are required. It is a different code of rugby which does not fall under the jurisdiction of SANZAR or the IRB.”

Despite plans for the tournament taking a big blow with the SANZAR rejection, Erasmus insists that there are too many positives for the event not to take place.

“We will continue with our plans to host the tournament. We believe that rugby needs an exciting format of this nature,” added Erasmus.

“Cricket’s governing body had a problem initially with the IPL but in the end it succeeded and it is now a roaring success. There are just so many positives, that it is a great pity that a few individuals want to deprive the players of this opportunity.”

The financial rewards, as well the sponsorship opportunities, mean that the ISR will still attract big-name players, according to Erasmus.

TWO CATEGORIES

“In terms of player participation, there basically are two categories,” explains the former Stormers’ commercial manager.

“The first category comprises those players who will retire from rugby after next year’s World Cup and who will therefore not fall under the jurisdiction of any governing body and there are quite a large number of these top name players.

“The second category is those players that come out of contract with their unions, provinces and clubs at the end of the World Cup.

“When they negotiate renewal of their contracts, they will do so on the basis that they exclude the three week ISR (International Super Rugby) tournament period during January 2012, and the subsequent years.

“They will therefore be non-contract players for the three week period and/or have prior approval to take part.

“There will no doubt be severe player and player union pressure for the tournament to happen.”

NEGATIVE RESPONSE

Erasmus wasn’t convinced by the arguments of SANZAR chief executive Steve Tew , who said that player welfare and the negative response from Super Rugby teams were the primary factors behind their strong opposition to the concept.

“He [Tew] said that the feedback from SANZAR’s Super 14 teams was overwhelmingly negative but it would be interesting to know which teams were consulted, and in what manner.

“On checking with certain unions, it was denied that there was a discussion or even a request for feedback. And was full and unbiased information provided to those that were consulted?”

“January is the month dedicated to fitness and conditioning preparation and for playing warm-up games. The physical activity during the tournament is less than that of the Super 14 preparation and warm-up games, because of the shortened format, extra subs and rule adjustments.

“It is in fact an ideal way of conditioning, according to the players and other fitness/conditioning specialists who are probably better equipped to decide, rather than the three SANZAR executives who decided on the players’ behalf.”