Cheeky not upset at Kings rejection
12 Nov 2009
Cheeky Watson still says the Southern Kings will see Super Rugby action in future.
On Wednesday, Melbourne was awarded the 15th spot when the tournament expands in 2011, a decision that leaves the Port Elizabeth-based franchise struggling to achieve their goal. In future they could take the place of the worst-performing South African side, but they’ll have to first gain entry into the Currie Cup premier division.
Watson said he is ‘more resolute than ever’ in bringing Super Rugby to the Eastern Cape.
‘I said right at the beginning that we were not holding our hopes high on winning against Melbourne, so I’m not disappointed at all,’ EPRU president Watson told The Herald. ‘However, we are still fighting for a South African franchise like we were doing right from the beginning.’
Meanwhile, ARU CEO John O’Neill said this was a ‘vote for common sense’, as Melbourne would play in the Australian conference.
O’Neill added as many as 10 foreigners would be allowed to play for Melbourne, as not to deplete Australia’s other franchises.
‘The difference in broadcasting revenue between having a team in Melbourne versus having a team in Port Elizabeth was between a $15 million and $20 million [R137m] cost to Sanzar,’ according to O’Neill.
The Kings were deemed more ‘rugby ready’ than Melbourne, while the top Australian team in this year’s Super 14, the Waraths, ended fifth. Australia coach Robbie Deans was nonetheless ecstatic.
‘You’ve got rugby across the calendar year,’ said Deans. ‘You’ve got not only rugby, but local derbies, domestic rugby. Those two points alone are enormous. Easily said, but huge value.
‘It’s more top-end rugby and the reality is that players tend to be as good as the competitions they come out of and we’ve now got a top-end competition that will run from the start of the year to the finish.’
102 Comments
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12 Nov 2009, 22:23 pm
101 Levi’s
15 Nov 2009, 14:32 pm
Nie een van die Spears se spanne speel in die Currie Beker Premier Divisie nie. Almal is in die eerste liga,hoe op aarde wil hulle kompeteer met Bulle, Shark, Stormers en selfs Leeus en Cheethas…wat nog te se van die AUS en NZ spanne. Dis net `n ander vlak van rugby,en die wat daar al gespeel het sal weet. Die Spears wat teen Britse Leeus gespeel het was uitnodiging span…seker maar omdat die REGTE Spears `n groot loesing sou kry.
Ja miskien sal die Regering geld gee om spelers kontrakte aan te bied wat hulle sal lok,maar wat gebeur na die Super 14. Daai tipe spelers wil nie Eerste liga Currie Cup speel teen Valke, Griffons, Grens ens na die Super 14 nie.
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