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WRU outlines fears over speculated PRO14 expansion plan

By Online Editors
(Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Speculation has been rife that the Guinness PRO14 is set for an expansion, recent media reports in South Africa claiming that the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers could be drafted into the five-country tournament at the expense of the Cheetahs and Southern Kings.

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With doubts existing over whether the traditional Super Rugby tournament format following the start-up of separate events in New Zealand and Australia, it has been alleged that isolated South Africa have been pondering whether to completely throw their lot in long term with the PRO14.

There has been South African participation in the Irish, Italian, Scottish and Welsh league since 2017 after the then PRO12 invited the Cheetahs and Kings to join after they were both cut from the Super Rugby set-up. 

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With rugby around the world now in a state of flux, multiple ideas have been mooted for its rejuvenation. However, allowing even more South African sides into the PRO14 has been warned against by WRU boss Gareth Davies who claimed expansion is not guaranteed to be a success judging by how Super Rugby suffered after it ballooned to 18 teams. 

Speaking on the BBC website, Davies said: “The only thing to be mindful of is more isn’t always better as we’ve seen in Super Rugby. It has gone bigger and bigger and perhaps isn’t of the appeal it once was.

“It [South African inclusion in the PRO14] has added a bit of quality and interest. I suppose the attraction of the four top South African provincial sides where you can see the like of Siya Kolisi (South Africa World Cup-winning captain) and all the other guys does have an appeal if it would happen.

“A lot of water under the bridge would have to happen and it’s a lot of speculation and it’s important to say nothing has come from PRO14. Apart from that speculation I not aware of any sort of concrete information.”

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Trevor 49 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours 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 Brooke. 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 by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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