Relief for the ‘big guys’ as URC turns focus on ‘class of travel’ after viral outrage
Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye.
Easing the travel strain on players is a big goal for the United Rugby Championship, according to chief executive Martin Anayi.
Anayi has praised the addition of the South African teams and the impact that they have had on the tournament’s finances and popularity.
However, the travel has been a consistent issue for the tournament that is now played in two hemispheres.
Music to the big boys’ ears
Most notably with videos going viral of how players have squeezed into economy class seats for the long haul flights with further complaints arising from the travel from airports to the grounds.
Last year, it was Reinhard Nothnagel and Ruben Schoeman – the Lions forwards who both stand well over six feet tall – crammed into their seats ahead of the clash against Benetton.
Anayi is not oblivious to the players’ struggles and commented on the need to improve the travel as he looked back on ten years at the helm of the URC.
“The class of travel for our teams is something we need to address,” he said.
“Moving to business class travel for the South African trips. Big guys need space.”
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Who needs legs to beat Leinster this Saturday? 😡😤😡#LIOvLEI #lions4bloodclots pic.twitter.com/I6DGJlKxb3
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He added that while the travel restrictions have little impact on the regular season, it is problematic when the knockout stages arrive due to the window of time between fixtures.
“In terms of travel logistics, the regular season matches are not a problem. We know about those trips and book a long way out. It’s more when it comes to knock-out rugby. That can be hard,” he continued.
“So, we can change our format in terms of having gaps in the play-offs. We can concertina the regular season and maybe start it a little bit earlier to give ourselves an extra week around semi-final and final.”
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“It is a very, very good deal.”
Still, the trade-off of the long-haul flights is incomparable to the value the South African teams have added according to the chief.
“Our costs are very limited. Remember, we swapped out an Italian game for a South African game. Teams were already having to pay to go to Italy, so we just give them a top up to go to South Africa,” Anayi said.
“It doesn’t cost that much compared to what it brings in. It is a very, very good deal.”
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