Fans have their say on PRO14 strugglers Southern Kings and it isn't pretty
The voluntary withdrawal by the Southern Kings from playing for the remainder of 2020 is disappointing, but it is an outcome that has not been met by surprise by many Guinness PRO14 supporters. The decision to make the old PRO12 competition transcontinental in 2017 was never wholly backed by fans and there has always been a fair degree of scepticism.
Tuesday’s statement from Port Elizabeth has left the future of Kings’ participation in the competition in doubt, and there are still questions over the Cheetahs given travel restrictions in place at the moment.
While the Cheetahs have enriched the competition with their home form in Bloemfontein, the Southern Kings have failed to make an imprint with poor performances and paltry match attendances.
The franchise is only eleven years old and is still establishing itself, which is why it struggled to make an impression. However, the main reason why the Southern Kings have suffered such a demise are the strains put upon them as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although these are unique circumstances, the chairman of the Southern Kings board, Andre Rademan, said opting out of any potential fixtures before the end of the year was financially sensible for a club that continues to lose money.
An update on what the heck is going on with the Port Elizabeth-based PRO14 club https://t.co/QWam49wjyU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 25, 2020
“This may not be a popular decision but in the current circumstances it is the right decision,” he said.” This is obviously very disappointing news for the players and management who, like all rugby professionals, were desperate to resume playing. But the board believed that further investment in 2020 with zero commercial return would be reckless in the extreme.”
While the PRO14 later issued a statement accepting that there would be no games played in the tournament involving the South Africans until 2021 at the earliest, a concerning situation given the 2020/21 season will start on the first weekend of October, this situation has only confirmed what many have fans thought about bringing South African sides into the league.
The term ‘PRO12’ has now emerged on social media from those who wish to see the league return to how it was three years ago.
Furthermore, the notion of a ‘PRO10’ has even reared its head, as some are mooting the idea of also doing away with the Italian teams in the league and returning to the old-style Celtic League which was in existence up to 2010.
The reality is, however, that it is likely that more South African sides (their Super Rugby clubs) will actually join the league – an ironic twist that has been discussed at length in recent weeks but is subject to more derision after recent events.
Indeed, the idea of a British and Irish league has also been mentioned on social media, but that would require the Gallagher Premiership to be on board with the idea, which is improbable. What is clear, though, is that there is apparent unrest at the state of the PRO14.
The sooner return to a Pro10 the better, with each club having the same fixture list and a return to #sportingintegrity.
— David Begg (@dadbegg) August 25, 2020
What are the chances of teams flying to SA for a single fixture? It’s bonkers. Transcontinental leagues are bonkers. Get the right people in the room and sort out a British Isles competition for next year.
Failing that a Pro10 without conferences— Chris ???????? (@ccurts2) August 25, 2020
We did it from 2005 to 2007 when the Celtic Warriors disbanded.
I think before long it will be a Pro10 again.
ADVERTISEMENTNo Italy teams either.
Transport by Ferry or Train only.
— We are Warriors (@WeAreGWarriors) August 25, 2020
I reckon CVC will be looking at this as a perfect opportunity to push a B&I league. They can see the £ signs for a tv deal. They probably thought this was a few years off with existing contracts but all cards may be on the table soon.
— Gavin Seymour (@Girvla) August 25, 2020
Would be happy to see a straightforward Celtic league with all fixtures outside test windows and full availability of test players. Simplify things, improve the quality of the games. Work on getting the crowds in. If every game is almost Test standard, prospects will be better.
— Arwyn (@Anianegwr) August 25, 2020
It was always a ridiculous addition. Purely for optics. Surely the best way forward for the Welsh, Scottish and Irish teams is to get involved in a British League. Much more interesting.
— David Edwards (@newportteddy) August 25, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to comments