The Rogues Rant

RoguesRantWelcome to The Rogues Rant, an occasional look at all things Rugby.

If you don’t already agree with me that the Super Rugby Draw is somewhat of a farce consider this week’s Semi-Finals. The Lions from South Africa go into their semi-final at home against the Hurricanes having not played any other New Zealand side at any stage throughout the competition rounds. With three Kiwi sides left in the tournament the New Zealanders have been far and away the best performed sides and it would be an injustice if the title was to go elsewhere. Consider also last week’s match in Canberra, where the Brumbies hosted a quarter final after just six wins for the year against a Hurricanes side that had twelve wins under the belt for the tournament. Is it any wonder that the crowds were so poor last weekend, with a lot of people, myself included finding it hard to retain interest in such an unfair and lopsided competition structure. I agree that there are too many teams in the tournament and the numbers need to be reduced but I’m not in agreement with the way it is being done. I reckon it’s a must that the tournament should return to a three way exercise between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with an even draw with all teams playing each other each season or interest in the competition will continue to decline. My tips for this week: Crusaders to beat the Chiefs and the Hurricanes to win over the Lions.

I hear some interesting scuttlebutt coming out of Sydney relating to the future of the Waratahs at Moore Park. Word is that the ARU are going to become new tenants in a redevelopment at the SFS and the Waratahs will be moving out on masse to Daceyville in southern Sydney. The word is that The David Phillips Sports Fields will soon become the new headquarters and training venue for the Waratahs. They say the NSW Rugby Staff will be housed in demountable accommodation at the complex which is a bit of a come down from what they have enjoyed over the years in the Moore Park area.