A massive computer in British Columbia has the biggest logistical job in world sport – sorting out the mess that will be the 2016 Super Rugby draw.
The confirmation that a Japanese franchise will be the 18th team in an expanded competition played in five different countries is only motioning the start of SANZAR’s logistical nightmare.
Canadian company Optimal Planning Solutions has the responsibility of trying to satisfy the competing needs of 18 teams, five national unions and five separate broadcasters across seven time zones.
Optimal Planning are also used by the NRL and A-League, as well as being hired all around the world by major competitions like the NFL and European soccer leagues.
“Every year their blokes tell us that ours is the most difficult,” one SANZAR official told AAP. “We’re the most complex draw purely because of the travel component across three countries.”
Now it’s five countries and the number of stakeholders – teams, national unions and broadcasters – have gone from 21 to 28.
It’s normally a four-month process that never wins any friends.
But with Super Rugby growing from 15 to 18 teams with the addition of teams from Japan, Argentina as well as Port Elizabeth’s Southern Kings, it’s certain to take longer and provoke more angst from coaches and franchise chief executives guarding against short turnarounds and back-to-back road trips.
The added need for two byes for each team, just one trip over the Indian Ocean and shared venues like Suncorp Stadium, AAMI Park and Allianz Stadium means the Canadian boffins will be hard pressed sending through an accepted draw after 20 versions.
They’re currently cooling their heels, bracing for the challenge.
First broadcast rights negotiations must be finalised while the quirky conference system – including two four-team “African” pools, both featuring one of the new foreign sides – has to be settled.
The South African Rugby Union have the tricky job of deciding where their six teams, that traditionally features three strong franchises and three weaker ones, line up.
“There’s plenty of detail to go,” the official said.
