May 10, 2005

Rainbow Cup on the way

Posted by Editor on May 10, 2005 12:34 PM | 13 comments | Print | E-mail author
Representatives from the Celtic Unions and SA Rugby today announced their agreement for the exciting new 'Celtic-Italy-South Africa Cup' competition, with a working title, the Rainbow Cup.

The new competition will commence no later than the 2006/7 season conditional upon certain criteria being met and will initially be played for a minimum of five seasons.

It will encompass a 24 team, seven-week competition to be played in the September/October window between teams from Wales (4), Ireland (4), Scotland (3), Italy (4) and SA Rugby’s nine top provincial teams.

This will be the first structured professional club/provincial rugby union competition between the Northern and Southern hemisphere. All parties agreed that this is a fresh and commercially attractive opportunity, which has great rugby development benefits.

Brian van Rooyen, President of SA Rugby, stated that he was pleased with the discussions held between the parties as the competition has many benefits for SA Rugby. He confirmed that he would report back to SA Rugby's President's Council.

John Hussey, Celtic League Chairman, stated both the League and the Celtic Unions are very excited about the opportunity. This coupled with everyone’s commitment to realise the full potential of the competition has made this a good day for world rugby.

Comments
Posted by Highlandbrave75 on May 10, 2005 12:57 PM | Reply to this comment

This is someone having a laugh right?!

The SRU have cut down to a bare scraping minimum on travelling arrangements to Ireland so how could they possibly travel to places like South Africa?

I did hear from a few sources though that the whole cup competition could be played in one country at a time...that's going to net the Scottish teams lots of income from gate receipts if it's played in say South Africa, right?!

Posted by Phall on May 10, 2005 12:57 PM | Reply to this comment

So there will be a 7 round cup competition? Will this be in addition to a 20 game league? Bearing in mind that we dropped the 3 fixtures in the CCup because of fixture congestion and player burn out, where are we going exactly?

Posted by Gordon on May 10, 2005 01:08 PM | Reply to this comment

I'd like to wait a bit until we find out more about it. For example, perhaps it'll be run in a similar way as the World Cup - 6 groups of four teams or whatever, so at least three games for clubs.

Posted by Big G on May 10, 2005 01:13 PM | Reply to this comment

Is this a late April fool??

Posted by Gordon on May 10, 2005 01:41 PM | Reply to this comment

Some more info here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/4533261.stm

Posted by Envy on May 10, 2005 02:00 PM | Reply to this comment

I suppose you've got to just go with it really. The funding seems to be there and it does seem that they want to do it. More so it might mean a larger squad will be allocated to compensate for the fears of player burnout. How big a squad I dont know but it might mean we have an opportunity to sign the kids up and use them more than we are now.

Posted by hugh on May 10, 2005 03:26 PM | Reply to this comment

have you seen the SRU's books?

Posted by big blue on May 10, 2005 04:35 PM | Reply to this comment

I would propose three weeks in SA. Three whole weeks away from Hugh's greetin' about pro rugby.

Posted by Envy on May 10, 2005 04:48 PM | Reply to this comment

My only gripe is calling it RAINBOW? Now not to sound too offensive but to certain quarters and communities that title is only going to re-inforce their opinions of the game being a little on the velvet side shall we say. Sure there is some butch reason as to it but could someone inform me of it.

Posted by Gordon on May 10, 2005 07:33 PM | Reply to this comment

Welsh view

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/4534695.stm

Posted by McDruid on May 12, 2005 08:02 PM | Reply to this comment

Anyone have any idea what Gordon is talking about, or indeed through? Seems that it's OK for this competition to disrupt the Celtic League season but not for the unlamented Anglo-Welsh cup proposal to do so. Double standards? But trips to Italia and Suid Afrika should be fun. moreover, the Afrikaaners are happy to put money into rugby.

Posted by Gordon on May 12, 2005 08:11 PM | Reply to this comment

Do you mean Jordan?

Posted by hugh on May 12, 2005 08:16 PM | Reply to this comment

Joe Jordon?

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