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'Guinness Pro 14' announcement appears imminent

By Peteso Cannon
The Cheetahs (Getty Images)

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.

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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.

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“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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Bull Shark 8 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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