Super Rugby not so super: Burger

There are growing cries of discontent among some SA Super Rugby franchises over the current format and calls for it to be ditched.

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Johannesburg – There are growing cries of discontent among some South African Super Rugby franchises over the current format of the competition and there are calls for it to be ditched.

Most vocal about reverting to the old round-robin system where all the teams got to play against each other is Springbok and Stormers veteran Schalk Burger, who fired a final salvo at the competition’s administrators after his side’s 60-21 loss in the quarter-finals to the Waikatoi Chiefs last weekend.

It was not that the 33-year-old Burger felt free to finally voice his opinion without any fear of retribution with his imminent departure to join English premiership outfit Saracens on a two-year deal, but it was the words of a man who has seen and done it all and is calling for the closing of the divide between South Africa and New Zealand that has widened even further since the introduction of the new conference system this year.

The Stormers were not alone in not having played against Kiwi opposition during the round-robin stages of this year’s competition as the Bulls and Cheetahs were also embroiled in second-rate matches against Australian teams.

Even though there has been a marked increase in local derbies, it has done little to increase the crowds coming to the stadiums and instead many rugby followers have been confused by the new system and shown their unhappiness by no longer attending matches or even watching on television.

“I think what would be nice is if we can have the round-robin system back again,” Burger said in the aftermath of his team’s demolition by the Chiefs in what was also his last game for the Stormers.

“We want to see the All Blacks players playing here and we as players want to play against everyone. Maybe get rid of the conference system, even if you miss out on one or two Kiwi sides or the sides based in Argentina or Japan

“The conference system this year was also complex to follow as a player as well. The key is to keep it simple and we as players want life experiences. We want to go down to Christchurch to play against the Crusaders at nine o’clock at night when it’s freezing. It’s a great challenge for us as players and it keeps you up to speed with what the rest of the blokes are doing.

“Next year we have a draw with the Kiwis but we are missing out on against the Aussies. In sport things change very quickly. They (the Kiwis) are the clear leaders at the moment but next year might not be the case.”

Burger is not alone and nor is South Africa in wanting a revamp of the format with former All Blacks flyhalf and now Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown, saying that the best decision should be taken for the competition.

Brown played for the Highlanders and Sharks under the old system that had every team playing against each other and even though he enjoyed it, he has also tasted success recently after the Highlanders were crowned champions last year and featured in yesterday’s semi-final against the Lions at Ellis Park.

Having had a taste of both ends of the stick, Brown believes the increase in local derbies has been good for the competition and that there will also be some discontent from teams who have not done well under the new

format. “It is what it is. I played when we played everyone and it was a great competition,” Brown said last week.

“With the local derbies in this new format it has been great as well, so whatever they do they have to make sure that they do it for the good of the competition, making sure they take the competition forward and making it a better competition. If they do that, I think everyone will be happy.”

While there is growing concern within South Africa at the widening of the divide with old foes New Zealand, Brown doesn’t believe that there is much of a gap and thinks that the Lions could hold the blueprint for the future success of South African Super Rugby teams in the competition.

“No not at all. Every time you play a South African team you know you are in for one hell of a battle and this year has been no different it’s always a tough challenge. I just think the way that the Lions are playing, maybe to be successful the other teams need to go that way,” said Brown.

– The Sunday Independent