Confirmed: European Cup ruined.

[FalseBayFC]

the only bit I was serious about was the doctors. You can have our sportsmen with pleasure. But between the UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia you've absolutely raped us. And you guys continue to actively recruit here. India and we are seriously impacted by this. If you're so clever and so rich, why can't you train your own doctors?

[SaintK]

the only bit I was serious about was the doctors. You can have our sportsmen with pleasure. But between the UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia you've absolutely raped us. And you guys continue to actively recruit here. India and we are seriously impacted by this. If you're so clever and so rich, why can't you train your own doctors?

We do thanks. We need more than we can train and yours are cheaper

[FalseBayFC]

the only bit I was serious about was the doctors. You can have our sportsmen with pleasure. But between the UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia you've absolutely raped us. And you guys continue to actively recruit here. India and we are seriously impacted by this. If you're so clever and so rich, why can't you train your own doctors?

We do thanks. We need more than we can train and yours are cheaper

So are footballs sewn by eleven year old Pakistanis. Doesn't make it right. Any idea the impact it makes on say rural hospitals in the third world? I get that we can't stop them going, but your state run health system should be guided by more ethical ideas than that.

[Marylandolorian]

the only bit I was serious about was the doctors. You can have our sportsmen with pleasure. But between the UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia you've absolutely raped us. And you guys continue to actively recruit here. India and we are seriously impacted by this. If you're so clever and so rich, why can't you train your own doctors?

We do thanks. We need more than we can train and yours are cheaper

Take our tired, our poor,
Our huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of our teeming shore.
Take these, the homeless, tempest-tost to you.

... but not our doctors

[FalseBayFC]

Ha ha. Doctors get the luxury package. The others get to walk through a desert, climb a fence and then pick your tomatoes and mow your lawns.

[SaintK]

the only bit I was serious about was the doctors. You can have our sportsmen with pleasure. But between the UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia you've absolutely raped us. And you guys continue to actively recruit here. India and we are seriously impacted by this. If you're so clever and so rich, why can't you train your own doctors?

We do thanks. We need more than we can train and yours are cheaper

So are footballs sewn by eleven year old Pakistanis. Doesn't make it right. Any idea the impact it makes on say rural hospitals in the third world? I get that we can't stop them going, but your state run health system should be guided by more ethical ideas than that.

Don't disagree with that to be fair
Costs £250k to train a doctor and for some reason they are only contracted to the NHS for 4 years after qualifying. Lots are moving on to work in the US or Australia as soon as they can as pay and conditions are so much better. Crazy!!!

[assfly]

South African players, rather than teams, do have a rich history in European Cup rugby.

Almost every team that has competed in the finals has had a number of Saffas playing for them.

Might be a strange way of looking at it, but long term it is hoped that our competing in European rugby will stop the player drain that has impacted local SA rugby so much.

[sockwithaticket]

South African players, rather than teams, do have a rich history in European Cup rugby.

Almost every team that has competed in the finals has had a number of Saffas playing for them.

Might be a strange way of looking at it, but long term it is hoped that our competing in European rugby will stop the player drain that has impacted local SA rugby so much.

As do Pacific Islanders and Kiwis, it would still be weird to have Moana Pasifika or the Hurricanes join the Champions Cup.

[assfly]

As do Pacific Islanders and Kiwis, it would still be weird to have Moana Pasifika or the Hurricanes join the Champions Cup.

Not as weird as watching a European Cup game at 9am.

[sorCrer]

Saffa participation in the NH will help all the NH countries in the cup.

[Blake]

Saffa participation in the NH will help all the NH countries in the cup.

I really think it will be symbiotic. We are going to learn a ton as I believe a lot of innovation is happening in European rugby, and with the money in those leagues all the top coaches and players are going to be drawn there.

NZ will always be a force to recon with at all levels of the game, and lack of exposure to their style and players is going to hurt is in TRC, but we have to go where our players are going, and that's Europe.

[JM2K6]

Saffa participation in the NH will help all the NH countries in the cup.

Like fuck it will. We already have heaps of non-European players in the teams, and the overwhelming impact has been in France, where we see size uber alles and brutal meathead rugby allied to some off-the-cuff flair from a handful of players.

It's a purely commercial decision that further dilutes the European Cup and will probably have a detrimental impact on players careers.

[sorCrer]

Saffa participation in the NH will help all the NH countries in the cup.

Like fuck it will. We already have heaps of non-European players in the teams, and the overwhelming impact has been in France, where we see size uber alles and brutal meathead rugby allied to some off-the-cuff flair from a handful of players.

It's a purely commercial decision that further dilutes the European Cup and will probably have a detrimental impact on players careers.

It's a global world now, JM. Money was always going to take this the way of football. Your lot seem to have had no problem selecting 'foreign' players for decades.

[JM2K6]

Saffa participation in the NH will help all the NH countries in the cup.

Like fuck it will. We already have heaps of non-European players in the teams, and the overwhelming impact has been in France, where we see size uber alles and brutal meathead rugby allied to some off-the-cuff flair from a handful of players.

It's a purely commercial decision that further dilutes the European Cup and will probably have a detrimental impact on players careers.

It's a global world now, JM. Money was always going to take this the way of football. Your lot seem to have had no problem selecting 'foreign' players for decades.

So I shouldn't hold a negative opinion on this? Just suck it up like a good little consumer?

Fuck that.

SA rugby needs the European Cup more than European rugby needs Saffer teams. It's a shit decision and we will live to regret it.

[assfly]

So I shouldn't hold a negative opinion on this? Just suck it up like a good little consumer?

Fuck that.

SA rugby needs the European Cup more than European rugby needs Saffer teams. It's a shit decision and we will live to regret it.

Think you're angry now? Wait until we win the damned thing

[JM2K6]

So I shouldn't hold a negative opinion on this? Just suck it up like a good little consumer?

Fuck that.

SA rugby needs the European Cup more than European rugby needs Saffer teams. It's a shit decision and we will live to regret it.

Think you're angry now? Wait until we win the damned thing

Oh no how will I cope when the French sides stuffed to the gills with imported talent no longer rule the roost

[Blake]

Saffa participation in the NH will help all the NH countries in the cup.

Like fuck it will. We already have heaps of non-European players in the teams, and the overwhelming impact has been in France, where we see size uber alles and brutal meathead rugby allied to some off-the-cuff flair from a handful of players.

It's a purely commercial decision that further dilutes the European Cup and will probably have a detrimental impact on players careers.

Probably, but it might also be a political one. Aligning another rugby power with Europe further strengthens the case for a global season and skews the bargaining power to Europe when doing so.
It's a small consolation, granted, but I think it's valid.

In the short term I agree that we get more out of this deal than pretty much anybody else.

[assfly]

Jeez, tough crowd.

[Blake]

Jeez, tough crowd.

Sorry boet, still getting flashbacks of when the Cheetah's joined the PRO16 and we were told how they would win the thing within a year.

Quite a wake-up call. Think we should go into this new opportunity with a level head and embrace the opportunity to expose our players and coaches to new conditions, teams, players, playing styles and referees.
The tournament is going to stretch our teams in terms of player depth, financials, and team management. I think a lot of our franchises have become complacent and are living in a comfort zone.

Looking forward to the shake up and seeing if any of teams will rise to the occasion.

[average joe]

Jeez, tough crowd.

Sorry boet, still getting flashbacks of when the Cheetah's joined the PRO16 and we were told how they would win the thing within a year.

Quite a wake-up call. Think we should go into this new opportunity with a level head and embrace the opportunity to expose our players and coaches to new conditions, teams, players, playing styles and referees.
The tournament is going to stretch our teams in terms of player depth, financials, and team management. I think a lot of our franchises have become complacent and are living in a comfort zone.

Looking forward to the shake up and seeing if any of teams will rise to the occasion.

Who told you they'll win it within a year?

[OomStruisbaai]

Jeez, tough crowd.

Sorry boet, still getting flashbacks of when the Cheetah's joined the PRO16 and we were told how they would win the thing within a year.

Quite a wake-up call. Think we should go into this new opportunity with a level head and embrace the opportunity to expose our players and coaches to new conditions, teams, players, playing styles and referees.
The tournament is going to stretch our teams in terms of player depth, financials, and team management. I think a lot of our franchises have become complacent and are living in a comfort zone.

Looking forward to the shake up and seeing if any of teams will rise to the occasion.

Who told you they'll win it within a year?

bot

[Blake]

Jeez, tough crowd.

Sorry boet, still getting flashbacks of when the Cheetah's joined the PRO16 and we were told how they would win the thing within a year.

Quite a wake-up call. Think we should go into this new opportunity with a level head and embrace the opportunity to expose our players and coaches to new conditions, teams, players, playing styles and referees.
The tournament is going to stretch our teams in terms of player depth, financials, and team management. I think a lot of our franchises have become complacent and are living in a comfort zone.

Looking forward to the shake up and seeing if any of teams will rise to the occasion.

Who told you they'll win it within a year?

Ignorant and arrogant countrymen of ours AJ.

I’ll have to go dig in the PR posts if you want me to name and shame but I can’t be bothered.

[Blake]

Sorry boet, still getting flashbacks of when the Cheetah's joined the PRO16 and we were told how they would win the thing within a year.

Quite a wake-up call. Think we should go into this new opportunity with a level head and embrace the opportunity to expose our players and coaches to new conditions, teams, players, playing styles and referees.
The tournament is going to stretch our teams in terms of player depth, financials, and team management. I think a lot of our franchises have become complacent and are living in a comfort zone.

Looking forward to the shake up and seeing if any of teams will rise to the occasion.

Who told you they'll win it within a year?

bot

I didn’t think it was possible, but you’ve actually become more predictable and annoying. Well done.