New Zealand Rugby (NZR) delivered the clearest indication yet that Super Rugby, the southern hemisphere club competition, was headed for a major revamp without future involvement of South Africa and Argentina.
A three-month Aratipu review led by New Zealand’s five Super Rugby clubs proposed a switch to an eight-team Super Rugby tournament.
NZR said that it wants an overhaul of the competition leaving New Zealand’s five current teams, one from the Pacific and two to four from Trans-Tasman rivals Australia.
This means that South Africa’s four franchises (Vodacom Bulls, Emirates Lions, DHL Stormers, Cell C Sharks) and Argentina’s sole team (Jaguares) would be axed from the competition.
NZR CEO Mark Robinson said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted rugby organisers to review other options and a fresh direction.
“We want teams that are competitive and that fans will want to watch go head-to-head, week-in, week-out,” Robinson said.
“We have a huge amount of sympathy for what is happening to rugby in Argentina and South Africa and the uncertainty that is creating.”
On the Pacific team, Robinson said that having a team that would provide an additional pathway for Pasifika players to perform on the world stage would be “hugely exciting”.
“As we know, our Pacific nations and Pasifika players in New Zealand have added so much to the rich history of rugby in Oceania and our game here in New Zealand,”
There is no determination yet on the tournament’s name, size and how teams will be owned and operated.
“There are a range of different options were considering there. We have looked at a lot of other professional sports in Australia and around the world to look at ownership models and commissions,” Robinson said.
Super Rugby was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. New Zealand and Australia went on launch their own domestic competitions, with New Zealand, particularly, registering great success with its Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The latest pronouncements by NZR also threw the future The Rugby Championship into doubt.
Robinson said New Zealand was still in contact rugby administrators in South Africa and Argentina and wanted “to remain close to them.”
“Where there is opportunity to play each other internationally and work together we remain committed to that partnership.”
