Stransky sees no place for battling Kings at top
SPRINGBOK legend Joel Stransky has become one of the loudest voices calling for the Southern Kings to be dumped out of Super Rugby next year.
Stransky, who helped the Boks win the World Cup in 1995, also wants the Cheetahs to be axed, so that South Africa will be left with four strong Super Rugby franchises.
The former Bok pivot said uncertainty had engulfed the southern hemisphere club competition since the governing body announced early last month that a shake-up was imminent without providing any details.
SA Rugby chiefs are gathering for their annual meeting tomorrow, but the union’s spokesman Andy Colquhoun said Super Rugby was not on the agenda.
“I think they need to make that announcement and be upfront and say ‘that's how it is, here are the reasons – like it or lump it’. To be frank, it’s the only way,” said Stransky.
“Financially they [Kings and Cheetahs] are not sustainable. They have very low supporter bases during Super Rugby. They’re in the middle of the country, they churn out great young talents but they are not places that can economically sustain a team.”
He feels a culling of the Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein franchises will help to boost the Springboks.
“We need a smaller pool of professional players whom we can pay more,” he said.
“We need four Super Rugby teams that are strong, willing and highly competitive, so we can breed a winning culture and that can go right the way up, hopefully to Springbok level.”
Stransky also hit out at the Sunwolves, who won only one match last season and have lost all five of their matches this year.
“The Sunwolves add absolutely no value to Super Rugby, it’d be great if we could get rid of them as well,” he said.
The Kings are currently on tour in Australia and will play the struggling Western Force in Perth on Sunday.
Like the Kings, the Force are also one of the sides who are said to be in the firing line if the league is reduced in size.
In a surprise statement, star wing Dane HaylettPetty said talk of the Force being axed is starting to affect his teammates.
The Force lost their fourth match of the season to the Auckland Blues at Eden Park on Saturday, but fought hard to the end of the 24-15 loss.
“Last week was probably the first time where you could see it was affecting a few of the boys,” said Haylett-Petty.
What could save the Kings and ensure their stay in the competition, is that any change to the competition requires a unanimous vote at Sanzaar level.
While the stance of SA Rugby on the matter has not been revealed, it is believed Australian officials are against any cut.
It is understood that New Zealand’s preference is for a 15-team competition whereby one Australian and two South African teams would be chopped.
“It was the first time the pressure really came on the Force. It definitely influences a few of the boys,” said Haylett-Petty.
After their latest meeting, Sanzaar chief executive Andy Marinos said: “Following two days of robust discussion, there are a number of tournament considerations that now require further discussion and consultation.
“This includes final consultation within the national unions and discussion with key stakeholders that would allow the adoption of changes proposed by the strategic plan.”
The Australian Rugby Union declined to comment, saying it would wait until a final outcome was made at Sanzaar level and announced first by the governing body.