SANZAR: We need the money

August 4, 2011
Posted by Boertjie

SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters said the length of the S15 and playing the TN are vital for economic success.

Sport24

Greg Peters has defended the length of the Super Rugby competition and the decision to play the Tri-Nations during a World Cup year, saying they were vital for the economic success of the three southern hemisphere unions.

SANZAR, comprising of the South African, New Zealand and Australian rugby unions, expanded the Super Rugby competition to 15 teams and 21 weeks, prompting criticism that the tournament was leading to player burnout.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has criticised the decision to play the Tri-Nations during a World Cup year, even though SANZAR has shortened it from nine matches to just six games this year.

“We hear the concern about player welfare and it is of huge importance. But without the money from the Tri-Nations this year, because there are no June in-bound Tests in a World Cup year, the SANZAR unions would have suffered significant losses,” Peters said on Thursday.

“The economic reality is that Super Rugby also drives revenue into the three countries and to their franchises, and is an important business model for them too,” Peters told.

“It’s the scheduling and the time of our southern hemisphere season that makes it difficult. The question is where we should position these competitions.”

FAVOURING THE AUSSIES

Peters deflected suggestions that the new Super Rugby format, based on a conference system, favoured Australia, whose Reds won the competition by beating New Zealand’s Crusaders 18-13 in the final.

“Super Rugby is a joint venture between three partners working together for the strength of that competition. That has happened and, although there’s no doubt the new format suits the Australian market – 21 weeks being similar to the ARL (Rugby League) and AFL (Australian Rules football) – South Africa and New Zealand derive enough benefit from it as well,” Peters said.

Peters is on a tour of the three countries to review stakeholders’ feedback on the 2011 Super Rugby competition.

“We’ve sold this format to the broadcasters for five years, so there won’t be any fundamental changes and neither should there be after just one year of a new competition.

“There may be some small changes, but the fundamental goal of SANZAR is securing financial success and growing crowds and fan appeal. I’d say the new format gets an A+ in Australia and a pass mark in the other two countries,” said Peters.

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8 Comments

  1. The Year of the Cheetah Peter "i started a joke" Divs needs our support! says:
    August 4th, 2011 at 11:06 pm Reply to this comment

    well you cannot fault the ozzies – they are for sure the smarter of the 3 nations. SA and NZ are like the two school bullies jostling to befriend the maths nerd.

    SA can also be seen as a rich oke with a coke habit – our bad habit being our myriad of competitions which cost a lot of many but does not generate any. Vodacom, CC under 19, CC under 21 come to mind.

  2. out wide out wide says:
    August 5th, 2011 at 1:44 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to Peter “i started a joke” Divs needs our support! @ 11:06 pm: LOL! accurate description of the Aussies – we like to remind them of their convict heritage but the buggers do seem to excel in using their top 2 inches to their advantage when it comes to sport!

  3. bok_in_oz bryce_in_oz says:
    August 5th, 2011 at 3:54 am Reply to this comment

    Yep some just cannot seem to fathom that ALL THREE Unions are equally deriving FISCAL GAIN from the surge in Australian Foxsport viewership of S15 (up 48%)… since the Victoria got their own team and the Reds started winning…

    Rugby is reaching new levels at PACE in just one season in Victoria… with seniors and juniors returning to the state… recently making history at schoolboy level by beating ACT and NSW 2nds in the premier competition.

    Rugby Union in QLD has just made history too breaking all attendance records out of ANY code in the state (heart of rugby league land)…

    Reports have stated that 60% of league viewers watched the S15 final…

    And guess what… ALL OF SANZAR BENEFIT FISCALLY IN EQUAL AMTS!

    And some want to return to CC only… with the Aussie Dollar at record highs… :Rule 9:

    And KevinRack… before you have a go at me about the standard of the CC…

    The two best games per week are now repeated on Foxpsports… right now FS vs Sharks is on… and it’s nothing more than touch-rugby/7′s with WOEFUL defense… sommer swing it or kick and set-pieces are gone and tackling non-existant in these open games…

    This doesn’t translate in the modern game at higher levels…

  4. Mug Punters Organisation of South Africa Kevin_rack says:
    August 5th, 2011 at 4:44 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 3:54 am: yep when it comes to South African rugby I swing first and ask questions later :) Its my passion or should I say was… :dead horse:

    Thanks for the heads up on the CC. I will make sure I put the box on record. Been watching some ITM and quite impressed with the quality. More impressed with the teams ability to slow posession, obstruct and the handling skills.

    The Aussies have the smallest player base but they are the smartest of all unions. Gotta respect good planning and passion. Thats why such a small popultaion is good at soo many sports.
    I would put an Aussie in charge of SARU :respek:

  5. bok_in_oz bryce_in_oz says:
    August 5th, 2011 at 5:24 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to Kevin_rack @ 4:44 am:

    Lol… John ‘Lappies’ O’Neill would work wonders :wink:

    Watching WP/Bulls now… JJ Englebrecht is one massive quick winger for WP… excellent hands too…

    Just a headsup if you don’t have Foxtel… there has been outrage amongst Victorian fans (mainly Rebel Army) about CH9 not showing the 3N and particularly Bledisloe live on free-to-air… and it’s paid off… CH9 are showing all the games live on GEM (their free-to-air digital channel)…

  6. bok_in_oz bryce_in_oz says:
    August 5th, 2011 at 5:25 am Reply to this comment

    “mpressed with the teams ability to slow posession, obstruct and the handling skills.”

    A bit like the AB’s :wink:

  7. Last_of_the_Breed Last_of_the_Breed says:
    August 5th, 2011 at 8:43 am Reply to this comment

    I could personally do with less SANZAR comps and more full blown tours complete with games against local clubs…
    But that’s just me.
    I cool in that way.

  8. Morné Morné says:
    August 5th, 2011 at 9:59 am Reply to this comment

    Reply to bryce_in_oz @ 3:54 am:

    South Africa accounted for 70% of the television audience in this year’s Super Rugby. It’s great for Aus that their own viewership is up but they share a measily 30% between themselves and NZ.

    NZ has lost out on attending and viewership numbers, as did SA if only by a small bit – so this motivation behind derbies being the biggest drawcards was also proven to be rubbish.

    SA is very obviously key to the commercial value of this competition, by quite a large majority in fact. Pity the stupid administration does not realise this and gets rolled over by the Aussies.

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