https://www.onrugby.it/2022/02/08/marzi ... e-utilita/
Ouch, not mincing his words here. My issue with closing Zebre and giving their spot in the URC to Padova is that elite rugby in italy would then become a uniquely venetian thing, it doesn't seem like the most progressive way to grow the game around the country
Innocenti: Zebre are fucking useless!!
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OomStruisbaai
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Cheetahs deserve that spot.
This.robmatic wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 9:12 am Fair point that Zebre are useless though. Would a new team be any more commercially viable? Treviso don't even get that many punters turning up and they are properly established and playing decent rugby.
Swapping the deckchairs isn't likely going to make a big difference, unless there is a massive difference in the levels of interest in the sport between Parma and Padova.
What's the next level of rugby down from the URC like in Italy? Or do most promising players either end up in the 2 URC teams and France?
Ian Madigan for Ireland.
It depends on what you consider a "good" attendance is. Treviso's numbers are pretty average for the URC but are pretty good by Italian standards. I think the improvements they've made to the ground and the recent upturn in results have helped boost the crowds too.robmatic wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 9:12 am Fair point that Zebre are useless though. Would a new team be any more commercially viable? Treviso don't even get that many punters turning up and they are properly established and playing decent rugby.
Zebre meanwhile have always struggled to attract crowds, sponsors and private investment. As a result the team has never been able to achieve anything better than being second last in the championship, the players that have gone there have always struggled to kick on. The xmas eve derby was a real low point in terms of performance, so after 10 years of this I think it's legitimate to say enough is enough, time to try something different.
If Petrarca's owners are willing to put in the money and they have a credible plan then I say give them the chance. They certainly couldnt do any worse, and I'd bet the corwd would be much better for a true local derby between two historic rivals that they were for the Treviso/Zebre matches.
Last edited by sturginho on Tue Feb 08, 2022 11:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
The dismantling of Zebre's squad continues
https://www.onrugby.it/2022/03/15/top10 ... -stagione/
https://www.onrugby.it/2022/03/15/top10 ... -stagione/
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OomStruisbaai
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Our CC past halfway stage and the Cheetahs the only unbeaten side.
Surely they can't be weaker then the Lions who beat Munster last week.
Surely they can't be weaker then the Lions who beat Munster last week.
I’d love for the Cheetahs to be in the URC mix as well Oom, but let’s not be that poes that gets invited to somebody else’s house and upon arrival start rearranging their furniture.OomStruisbaai wrote: Thu Mar 24, 2022 6:42 pm Our CC past halfway stage and the Cheetahs the only unbeaten side.
Surely they can't be weaker then the Lions who beat Munster last week.