Can't wait for the A9r.
Going for the action-oriented A9 first is a big gamble. Sony is up against Canon and Nikon in their strongest area - high-speed action photography. Not only does the AF have to be up to par, but they also need fast, long lenses. I doubt Sony will score a big win here. They may build up their credibility in this field and tear a few users away (probably the 'photojournalist'-type photographers rather than the dedicated action shooters) but are unlikely to carve out a big market for themselves, at least with this first model.
The A9r will be a much easier win for Sony. It's up against the 5D4, 5Ds/r (and successor) and D810 (and successor) - cameras with solid general-purpose AF systems capable of shooting action competently, but not specialised in it. Sony already holds the sensor card, and it'll be easier for the AF system to match the 5D4 or D810 than to match the 1Dx2 or D5. It's quite possible - likely, even - that the A9r will beat all of these cameras in every respect.