Clyde Rathbone has questioned the viability of a fifth South African franchise in the expanded Super 14 competition, saying there are not enough quality players in the country to support it.
A South African franchise will be selected in the coming months to join Perth as the two new teams in the 2006 Super 14 competition, but former junior Springbok turned Wallaby Rathbone believes it is unlikely to work.
”If you look at the performances of some of the other South African teams, it probably means that the depth is not there,” said Rathbone from Cape Town, where the Brumbies are preparing for their Super 12 match against the Cats on Saturday.
”Particularly in a competition such as the Super 12 where South African teams travel as much as they do, I think that team would really, really struggle.
”At this stage, I just think it is pretty unrealistic to expect them to be competitive.”
Six prospective franchises are putting their hands up for the berth, with Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth understood to be favoured host cities.
SA Rugby will consider submissions over the next three weeks.
Rathbone feels a decision needs to be made soon, otherwise the new franchise will struggle even more.
”They are going to be stretched for quality players. Unless they get their house sorted pretty quickly, there’s going to be no one left to contract,” said Rathbone, who believes Perth will be much better prepared.
”I hope for their sake they manage to get good coaches and a couple of good players at that franchise. If they don’t, you’d have to reckon their backs would be up against it.”
Rathbone played down the suggestion that he is being targeted for high shots after heavy tackles by the Crusaders’ Corey Flynn and the Stormers’ De Wet Barry saw him leave the field early in two of the three opening Super 12 games this season.
”Outside backs tend to be confrontational these days; when you do make contact it’s at high speed and that probably lends itself to those sort of impact injuries,” Rathbone said.
”It [Barry’s tackle] was definitely a high shot but these things happen and I don’t think there was a lot of malice in it. I think probably more was made of it than was actually the case.”
It is Rathbone’s third rugby trip back to South Africa after last season’s Super 12 visit with the Brumbies and later with the Wallabies.
He said it becomes easier each time he goes back.
”Coming back here, there are probably more distractions then going to other places because I’m from here, but the media hype and the tension have probably subsided each time I have come back,” he said.
”I think they have come to accept that I play for Australia.”
Unlike other players, Rathbone seems in no rush to commit himself to a Super 12 franchise for next year, saying he has a couple of months up his sleeve and will use them.
He described the Brumbies as ”one of the best set-ups in the world” but said like any professional he will consider his options closer to the time.
Rathbone said no decision has been made yet as to whether he will start in the centres or wing for the match against the Cats. — Sapa-AAP