SA Side to Join PRO12

[ALunpg]

The blues have issues, hence the shedding of players. The Scarlett's interest in Halfpenny suggest the additional money will be useful in expansion unless they are going to spend and hope for future income off the back of it.

Even if the money doesn't add half a million immediately to player budgets, greater financial security will allow the regions to plan further ahead and target other investment.

Fair point... I agree the extra money will obviously help ...but it may mean we are less in the quagmire. ..but in it deep some regions still will be.
Especially as this will have to cover the significant cost for the SA travel for about 30 people for 10 days minimum.
Maybe for the cost of Williams and Van de Merve wage bills would offset a lot of Halfpenny at a discount price .

[Sandydragon]

The blues have issues, hence the shedding of players. The Scarlett's interest in Halfpenny suggest the additional money will be useful in expansion unless they are going to spend and hope for future income off the back of it.

Even if the money doesn't add half a million immediately to player budgets, greater financial security will allow the regions to plan further ahead and target other investment.

Fair point... I agree the extra money will obviously help ...but it may mean we are less in the quagmire. ..but in it deep some regions still will be.
Especially as this will have to cover the significant cost for the SA travel for about 30 people for 10 days minimum.
Maybe for the cost of Williams and Van de Merve wage bills would offset a lot of Halfpenny at a discount price .

On that point there is some relief in that the travel costs are being picked up by the competition, not the clubs.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The blues have issues, hence the shedding of players. The Scarlett's interest in Halfpenny suggest the additional money will be useful in expansion unless they are going to spend and hope for future income off the back of it.

Even if the money doesn't add half a million immediately to player budgets, greater financial security will allow the regions to plan further ahead and target other investment.

Fair point... I agree the extra money will obviously help ...but it may mean we are less in the quagmire. ..but in it deep some regions still will be.
Especially as this will have to cover the significant cost for the SA travel for about 30 people for 10 days minimum.
Maybe for the cost of Williams and Van de Merve wage bills would offset a lot of Halfpenny at a discount price .

On that point there is some relief in that the travel costs are being picked up by the competition, not the clubs.

But does that come out of the £6m they're bringing to the table?

[PoolerSaint]

500k per side extra income. Travel costs picked up by the Pro14 organisers.


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[ALunpg]

The blues have issues, hence the shedding of players. The Scarlett's interest in Halfpenny suggest the additional money will be useful in expansion unless they are going to spend and hope for future income off the back of it.

Even if the money doesn't add half a million immediately to player budgets, greater financial security will allow the regions to plan further ahead and target other investment.

Fair point... I agree the extra money will obviously help ...but it may mean we are less in the quagmire. ..but in it deep some regions still will be.
Especially as this will have to cover the significant cost for the SA travel for about 30 people for 10 days minimum.
Maybe for the cost of Williams and Van de Merve wage bills would offset a lot of Halfpenny at a discount price .

On that point there is some relief in that the travel costs are being picked up by the competition, not the clubs.

Good...will they pay for me to go as well

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Travel costs picked up by the competition is a direct subsidy to the Sout African teams as its them who'll be doing more travelling. The competition has not money other than that which it would be distributing to the teams so the £500k extra is likely an overestimate as if there is £6mill extra going into the pot the travel costs come out of. Even if we only calculate our trips to SA that's the best part of £500k (40 people traveling from 12 teams at an approximate fairly conservative cost of £1000 a trip) If the SA sides manage to somehow do this in 2 trips each you're looking at a 3rd of that again, without even factoring much higher hotel costs.

[PoolerSaint]

According to reports there is 500k extra income per team regardless of travel expenses.
I'd imagine some or all of that has already been paid given that the Scarlets have suddenly found the money to sign Halfpenny when only a few weeks ago their chief executive stated they couldn't afford him.

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[Sandydragon]

Travel costs picked up by the competition is a direct subsidy to the Sout African teams as its them who'll be doing more travelling. The competition has not money other than that which it would be distributing to the teams so the £500k extra is likely an overestimate as if there is £6mill extra going into the pot the travel costs come out of. Even if we only calculate our trips to SA that's the best part of £500k (40 people traveling from 12 teams at an approximate fairly conservative cost of £1000 a trip) If the SA sides manage to somehow do this in 2 trips each you're looking at a 3rd of that again, without even factoring much higher hotel costs.

You may be right, but that's not what is being reported. The 500k is above operational expenses.

[ALunpg]

According to reports there is 500k extra income per team regardless of travel expenses.
I'd imagine some or all of that has already been paid given that the Scarlets have suddenly found the money to sign Halfpenny when only a few weeks ago their chief executive stated they couldn't afford him.

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Yep he did say it ...but as we know .. in negotiations there is often a lot of twaddle talked about what can be afforded and what can't ...especially if there are press involved . Somewhere in this mix, as in this case there is an agent starting to get a sweat that he may have overplayed his hand.

As for the finance I really hope it is as many have mentioned extra money plus expenses but it won't be the first time what is reported is not what eventually comes out in the wash but we will see

[PoolerSaint]

According to reports there is 500k extra income per team regardless of travel expenses.
I'd imagine some or all of that has already been paid given that the Scarlets have suddenly found the money to sign Halfpenny when only a few weeks ago their chief executive stated they couldn't afford him.

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Yep he did say it ...but as we know .. in negotiations there is often a lot of twaddle talked about what can be afforded and what can't ...especially if there are press involved . Somewhere in this mix, as in this case there is an agent starting to get a sweat that he may have overplayed his hand.

As for the finance I really hope it is as many have mentioned extra money plus expenses but it won't be the first time what is reported is not what eventually comes out in the wash but we will see

[emoji1] [emoji2] [emoji3]

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[Tre]

fixtures out on Friday apparently- 3 weeks before the first match.

[ALunpg]

Seems that the fixture lists are out although I only have looked at a few.

The one thing that struck me is that there are a more challenging games there than in seasons before which should really toughen up the sqaud for all clubs but maybe teams with dual contract teams will have to be a lot smarter in how they use these players allocated time.

So now it's here and going to happen ..it is really an opportunity for all the Welsh regions to get a couple of seasons where players will be tested more often and that can be good.

Still a bit worried about the number of overall matches minimum 25 for each region but we will see.

[Lord Lucan]

Seems that the fixture lists are out although I only have looked at a few.

The one thing that struck me is that there are a more challenging games there than in seasons before which should really toughen up the sqaud for all clubs but maybe teams with dual contract teams will have to be a lot smarter in how they use these players allocated time.

So now it's here and going to happen ..it is really an opportunity for all the Welsh regions to get a couple of seasons where players will be tested more often and that can be good.

Still a bit worried about the number of overall matches minimum 25 for each region but we will see.

Are you worried because you feel its too many or not enough?

Welsh players and teams need to step it up in general, before the Scarlets destroyed Munster and Leinster to win the league, Welsh teams have been pretty piss poor, not sure what the problem is, coaches, players, attitude, who knows, but they really need to start doing the job they are getting paid for and start getting results.
They have all been handed a new lease of life with this new set up, which includes a 2 weeks winter break in SA, they need to stop fucking moaning, and making excuses and get playing.

[Lord Lucan]

Actually when I talk about moaning I'm talking about the fans, looking on the fail website you need to see the moaning about the new set up, half these idiots are stuck in the past, they'd go back to the club days if they could, no wonder the regions are struggling to get people through the turnstiles.

[ALunpg]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... m-13475665

Let's hope this us just the fail rumour mongering , it was also interesting in the article on how the Cheetahs will manage two teams playing at the same part of the season with the Free State Cheetahs playing in the Currie Cup.

[PoolerSaint]

It's going to take a couple of years for the SA sides to really bed into the Pro14 properly.
This season is a write off for them, they've got no hope of competing given the short turn around & squad problems.
Next season will be better but you won't see them at their best for 2 years IMHO.

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[ALunpg]

It's going to take a couple of years for the SA sides to really bed into the Pro14 properly.
This season is a write off for them, they've got no hope of competing given the short turn around & squad problems.
Next season will be better but you won't see them at their best for 2 years IMHO.

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Yep ....I agree totally about the Kings ...but I would think that the Cheetahs will still put together a good team that will challenge teams .

Watched the FC Cheetahs on the TV last weekend they looked well coached and organised with more than a bit of pace and skill so even from that group they looked an challenge .

The early season should suit them with the dryer grounds so the match against the Scarlets will be one to watch .

[Eugene Wrayburn]

The cheetahs have the advantage of altitude, but they won't be conditioned for a 22 game season, nor used to the rather softer ground that predominates in winter, even if they've had the odd trip to Chch.

I saw someone suggesting it's good that the Welsh teams will have some more challenging opposition. I have to say my dominant thought over the past years had not been "if only someone would challenge these Welsh teams."

[Sandydragon]

Quite right Eugene. If only Leinster or Munster could have challenged Llanelli last season.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Quite right Eugene. If only Leinster or Munster could have challenged Llanelli last season.

I hadn't realised Wales had divested itself of its other 3 teams. Or that finishing 8 points adrift of teams was being unchallenged by them. I stand corrected.

[Sandydragon]

Quite right Eugene. If only Leinster or Munster could have challenged Llanelli last season.

I hadn't realised Wales had divested itself of its other 3 teams. Or that finishing 8 points adrift of teams was being unchallenged by them. I stand corrected.

Welsh teams have won the league (in various forms) 6 times. Thats hardly uncompetitive. Not all Welsh teams are equal, but if you confuse the fortunes of Cardiff with the 4 regions as a whole then I can see why you would hold that opinion.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Quite right Eugene. If only Leinster or Munster could have challenged Llanelli last season.

I hadn't realised Wales had divested itself of its other 3 teams. Or that finishing 8 points adrift of teams was being unchallenged by them. I stand corrected.

Welsh teams have won the league (in various forms) 6 times. Thats hardly uncompetitive. Not all Welsh teams are equal, but if you confuse the fortunes of Cardiff with the 4 regions as a whole then I can see why you would hold that opinion.

Cardiff aren't even the worst.

You've just performed a logical fallacy. The issue isn't whether the welsh teams can be competitive. Usually a couple of teams a year broadly are and I didn't even begin to suggest that that wasn't the case. The issue is whether they are so far ahead they need new blood to give them testing games which is obvious bollocks to anyone with eyes.

[Sandydragon]

Congratulations on completely missing the Cardiff point.

Who has suggested that the Welsh teams are that far above the other teams in last years pro 12? Are you sure that you're not confusing a comment about a potential for additional games against, in time, quality opposition?

[ALunpg]

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... s-13489444

Again it's the fail... so we will have to get the salt out and take with anything they say . ..but it does mention that the SA TV deal is not done and maybe not all matches will be televised.

[PoolerSaint]

I don't think anyone in their right mind expects the SA sides & supporters/sponsors to fully integrate themselves & be ready for back to back competitions in what - 2 months. No one except the Western Mail.[emoji849]

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