Moffett pushing for Euro league
Jun 22 2005
Ceri Williams
Welsh chief David Moffett wants to see a ground-breaking European league.
The WRU boss has revealed his wish for the future just days after a new deal for the Celtic League was struck.
Moffett is in favour of our four regions playing in a competition involving English, French and Italian teams, as well as the other Celtic sides.
He envisages a tournament which has three conferences, with the top teams then meeting in the final play-offs.
'We can do this, I'm convinced of it,' said Moffett (pictured right).
'I believe a European league is the way forward - and if we managed to pull it off it would make us the envy of the southern hemisphere.'
Is this wishful thinking?
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ding dong2u
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It would work if it was done with the top teams in division one then the average division 2 and the poor division three, have promotion and relegation. The top four in each league would play off for the trophy like in France, England and Super 12.
Then the Heino could be the knockout competition, just have a straight knock out no group stages.
I think the tv deal would come with sky paying big bucks probably and a sponsor wouldn't be hard to find.
Then the Heino could be the knockout competition, just have a straight knock out no group stages.
I think the tv deal would come with sky paying big bucks probably and a sponsor wouldn't be hard to find.
What is Moffet putting on his cornflakes these mornings 
first he thinks the English premiership will let the Welsh teams in now if this was to happen the English and French would have to pack in their leagues 
Nice thought for anyone not in England or France but you could die holding your breath for this to take place
first he thinks the English premiership will let the Welsh teams in now if this was to happen the English and French would have to pack in their leagues Nice thought for anyone not in England or France but you could die holding your breath for this to take place
Looks like all he is proposing what the HEC is already doing. They are hanging all their hopes on the Powergen. I suspect this could be a house built on straw. The English will only be playing development teams as their main focus will be on an already crowded league season. But I have been wrong before.
Colin
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browner
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'Bok duo talk up links with Europe
Aug 8 2005
Potential benefits for Wales
Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo
Welsh regions and South African provinces could be locking horns in the next few years after two leading Springbok figures urged their nation to consider breaking away from southern hemisphere competitions.
The future prospect of Wales and South African provincial sides facing each other has resurfaced after former Springbok coach Nick Mallett and ex-international Hennie le Roux resurrected the threat of a breakaway from the SANZAR southern hemisphere alliance and forming a new partnership with European clubs.
Mallett and Le Roux have queried the longevity of the newly-expanded Super 14 and Tri-Nations formats.
Both men felt South African sides in the Super 12 competition were given a rough deal over travel issues and there was more to be gained from an alliance with European nations than the trans-Tasman rivals.
'It was unfair in Super 12 when our sides were overseas for four weeks,' said Mallett, director of rugby at Western Province.
'New Zealand and Australia can't afford to be complacent on this issue and if things don't change, South Africa could be forced to look elsewhere.'
Le Roux, a former Springboks and Cats player, added: 'Nothing can be taken for granted.
'Beyond 2010, everything is up for grabs and our administrators will do what suits them in order to win domestic favour.'
A breakaway could be precipitated by the new Rainbow Cup competition proposed by the International Rugby Board in South Africa this week.
The tournament, one of a range of initiatives announced to extend the reach of the game around the globe, would involve representative teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Romania and South Africa.
The competition had looked a feasible proposition for next season after Welsh Rugby Union chiefs and regional representatives met South African officials earlier this year.
But plans were put on hold and the four Welsh regions will compete in an Anglo-Welsh Cup competition next season, alongside their involvement in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup.
'The financial side of realigning with the northern hemisphere would stack up well,' Le Roux said.
'The time zones are better for us in terms of when the games are played, and it would help from a travel perspective.
'The game is big business now and SA Rugby is trying to sell and build up its brand.
'If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a weighted competition draw, that are preventing success being achieved, then South Africa obviously has to look at that.
'I don't want to make excuses for our teams, but the statistics do show that it is more difficult for South Africa because our teams are away for longer, and the extra weeks away make a difference.
'The authorities in charge of the competition have to massage the draw to try to even that aspect out.
'If South Africa's lack of success is perceived by people here to be due to the lack of a level playing field, the option of relocating north to Europe after the Sanzar contract expires in 2010 becomes harder to argue against.'
Aug 8 2005
Potential benefits for Wales
Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo
Welsh regions and South African provinces could be locking horns in the next few years after two leading Springbok figures urged their nation to consider breaking away from southern hemisphere competitions.
The future prospect of Wales and South African provincial sides facing each other has resurfaced after former Springbok coach Nick Mallett and ex-international Hennie le Roux resurrected the threat of a breakaway from the SANZAR southern hemisphere alliance and forming a new partnership with European clubs.
Mallett and Le Roux have queried the longevity of the newly-expanded Super 14 and Tri-Nations formats.
Both men felt South African sides in the Super 12 competition were given a rough deal over travel issues and there was more to be gained from an alliance with European nations than the trans-Tasman rivals.
'It was unfair in Super 12 when our sides were overseas for four weeks,' said Mallett, director of rugby at Western Province.
'New Zealand and Australia can't afford to be complacent on this issue and if things don't change, South Africa could be forced to look elsewhere.'
Le Roux, a former Springboks and Cats player, added: 'Nothing can be taken for granted.
'Beyond 2010, everything is up for grabs and our administrators will do what suits them in order to win domestic favour.'
A breakaway could be precipitated by the new Rainbow Cup competition proposed by the International Rugby Board in South Africa this week.
The tournament, one of a range of initiatives announced to extend the reach of the game around the globe, would involve representative teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Romania and South Africa.
The competition had looked a feasible proposition for next season after Welsh Rugby Union chiefs and regional representatives met South African officials earlier this year.
But plans were put on hold and the four Welsh regions will compete in an Anglo-Welsh Cup competition next season, alongside their involvement in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup.
'The financial side of realigning with the northern hemisphere would stack up well,' Le Roux said.
'The time zones are better for us in terms of when the games are played, and it would help from a travel perspective.
'The game is big business now and SA Rugby is trying to sell and build up its brand.
'If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a weighted competition draw, that are preventing success being achieved, then South Africa obviously has to look at that.
'I don't want to make excuses for our teams, but the statistics do show that it is more difficult for South Africa because our teams are away for longer, and the extra weeks away make a difference.
'The authorities in charge of the competition have to massage the draw to try to even that aspect out.
'If South Africa's lack of success is perceived by people here to be due to the lack of a level playing field, the option of relocating north to Europe after the Sanzar contract expires in 2010 becomes harder to argue against.'
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ding dong2u
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Sorry isn't this the same guff that was being touted some weeks ago when the Taffies were complaining that the CL were going behind their backs to begotiate some ridiculous concept of a 'rainbow cup'. The logistics and expense are mind boggling and not even close to being realistic
Stand Up for the Ulster Men
RIP Nevin Spence 1990 - 2012
RIP Nevin Spence 1990 - 2012
Rooster wrote:What is Moffet putting on his cornflakes these mornings
Nice thought for anyone not in England or France but you could die holding your breath for this to take place
Rooster, I agree with you.