Peter Jessup: Rugby needs a professional makeover

I tried to watch the Super 14 at the weekend - I really tried hard - but the lack of professionalism is a big turn-off.

Never mind the confusion over the different varieties of rules and the different interpretations since the advent of the ELVs, the game would be vastly improved if the players managed the simple process of passing and catching the ball, holding on to it in the tackle and then setting it properly for quick recycling.

The continued flakiness in the Blues' backline and the Crusaders' inability to score tries do not make for edge-of-the-seat stuff. Who knows from week to week which Hurricanes team will turn up.

Maybe the opponents of the proposed new stadium for Dunedin won't have to worry about going to court. The way the side went against the lowly Stormers on Friday night, they are unlikely to have a fan base that requires one.

Increasingly, it looks like time for the Highlanders to head for the hills. Otago and Southland simply do not have the player depth to keep competing at the Super Rugby level as evidenced by their heavy reliance on the draft.

The combination of low population and therefore limited market, plus poor performance over recent seasons and the probability that they will continue to miss the playoffs, makes it likely they will struggle to find sponsors willing to fork out the big sums that would draw quality talent and keep it.

On that showing southern rugby does not deserve a multimillion-dollar investment.

And given the constant flow of both top-tier and second-tier talent overseas, are there really sufficient players in this country now to construct five playoff-competitive teams?

The lights-out episode at North Harbour Stadium also raises the issue of professionalism.

One would have thought there were contingency plans in place, given there is always potential for mishap when large crowds gather.

There may be one positive for sports if Auckland is pushed into a "Super City" - we may finally get investment in one good rugby/soccer/league stadium.

Logic says that has to be either Albany or Mt Smart, both of which are at least rectangular. But why North Harbour's one covered stand was built facing into the setting sun and the prevailing wind so that rain pushes up into the seating is beyond comprehension.

Mt Smart already has two covered stands and the better playing surface. It has better public transport options into the future given that a rail line already runs there, just a siding platform needed.

The Warriors continue to be the talk of the town. Even when losing lately they have played with spirit, attitude and commitment and they have played right to the end, something that cannot be said for any of New Zealand's Super 14 sides bar the Chiefs.

The South African teams appear to be the main beneficiaries of the Sanzar pool. They are playing a more expansive style this season and all have proved they can win away from home, for a change. They promise to field a very challenging side in this year's Tri-Nations series.

The McAlister fiasco also throws up the question of the professionalism of the NZRU. How long can it be before there is acceptance of the glaringly obvious fact that the All Blacks are no longer the be-all and end-all of sport in New Zealand, let alone the rest of the rugby world.

They used to have an aura of invincibility. Had they maintained that, there was the opportunity to command the highest price for performance. But after failure to win at World Cups since 1987 that is gone.

New Zealand rugby will never compete with the money in England and Europe. Competitions there appear to be gathering strength and enjoy increasing crowds and financial backing, higher broadcasting fees.

Our players will continue to take their opportunities and grab the big money while they can and who can blame them?

Nothing can be done to stop this. What can be changed is the ridiculous rule that players must be New Zealand residents to be eligible for the All Blacks.

The NRL continues to produce upsets every weekend and the even talent spread across the competition thanks to the salary cap will ensure this continues all year. All it takes is for the ladder-leaders to be just a small percentage off their game and the lower rungers to be right on theirs.

Crowds are up throughout the competition. But some of the clubs are not safe - it is inevitable that some of the nine Sydney sides must merge or drop back to the New South Wales competition.

At Parramatta there are ructions in management and moves by a rebel group including former great Ray Price to overthrow the board. The associated leagues club has just revealed a loss of A$8 million ($10 million) for the past year.

Manly, Penrith and Cronulla are also struggling financially and doing deals regarding the leasing or sale of land to stay afloat but that cannot continue indefinitely.

One area where there is no monetary difficulty is in America's Cup yachting, but can you call that sport anymore?

The continuing court action between billionaires Ernesto Bertarelli and Larry Ellison has robbed the event of all glister.

And how can you use the word "sportsmanship" when two mega-wealthy men are trying to enforce their will on each other and the result is to cut all others out of the competition?

This should be clear reason for the Government to forget putting any more taxpayers' money into the event.

The investment of $50 million was to put sailors on the water, not to watch from the wharf while a spoiled rich boys' plaything provides lawyers with endless employment.

Still, it's an ill wind that blows no good. The recession should dull the Government's enthusiasm for the endless rule-wrangling that the America's Cup has become.

With any luck they might spread cash around the wider sports community, hopefully into games like basketball, softball, soccer, netball and others where the investment will reach more people.