SANZAR sabotage Tahs’ 2009 chances

Obviously not content with the draw developed as part of the 5 year plan, some SANZAR muppet has gone and sabotaged next years draw under the pretense of accommodation the Lions tour of South Africa, thoroughly shafting the Tahs in the process.

Our schedule now has us as the first AU or NZ team in 12 years of Super Rugby to travel to South Africa twice. But wait there’s more, we also get two trips to NZ, and if we’re to somehow overcome this absolute barry-crocker of a draw and make the finals, we could be looking at a third trip to the Republic of Boneheads.

Week 1 – Johannesburg
Week 2 – Wellington
Week 3 – Sydney
Week 4 – Sydney
Week 5 – Sydney
Week 6 – Canberra
Week 7 – Sydney
Week 8 – Auckland
Week 9 – Sydney
Week 10 – Sydney
Week 11 – Sydney
Week 12 – Bye
Week 13 – Kimberly
Week 14 – Durban

The news is coming from SA Rugby, and this quote perfectly shows their empathy for the Stormers hectic schedule.

This time it is the Stormers that get the shortened Sicof the stick. They play Crusaders in New Zealand before returning to Australia for matches against the Waratahs and Brumbies before another trans-Tasman trip to play the Hurricanes and Highlanders in New Zealand.

Oh poor Stormers, what a very short stick. My God, you actually have to travel to New Zealand twice from Eastern Australia, that’s like 3 hours in a plane! Perhaps you can take some comfort from the ‘Tahs who, in addition to two trips to South Africa, also get two of these horrific trans-Tasman trips.

2 thoughts on “SANZAR sabotage Tahs’ 2009 chances

  1. Having your first game at altitude is a good draw Moses. You can get there weeks before hand and play your warm-up games there etc.. Way easier than going there mid-season.

    You’re fucked for your second game though…

  2. I agree it’s nice to get the RSA trip out of the way at the beginning of the season, however you certainly don’t want to travel back there at the end.

    With the six team finals format there’s a fair chance we could end up flying over three times in the season which is pretty harsh..

    And I agree, flying from Joburg is hardly ideal preparation to play the Canes, imho the match against the Canes often defines our season