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Report: Rugby Australia threatens to go alone with Super Rugby as 'all bets are off'
By Sam Smith
On the eve of the All-Kiwi Super Rugby Pacific final between the Blues and Crusaders a ‘bombshell’ has been dropped by Rugby Australia to their New Zealand Rugby (NZR) counterparts, according to a report by Fox Sports Australia.
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Christy Doran of Fox Sports Australia has reported that Rugby Australia will ‘consider their options’ after the current partnership agreement expires after 2023, including ditching Super Rugby Pacific in order to move towards a domestic-only model much like the AFL and NRL.
Rugby Australia’s position on the matter has been shared by chairman Hamish McLennan to his NZR counterpart.
McLennan stated that they have to do ‘what’s best’ for the game in Australia leading into the showpiece events they will hold, having secured the hosting rights to both the Women’s and Men’s Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029.
“We’ll honour our commitments in ’23 but we need to see what’s best for rugby in Australia leading up to the RWC in Australia in ’27,” McLennan told Fox Sports.
“All bets are off from ’24 onwards with NZ.”
The report suggests there is still bitterness over the way NZR treated Rugby Australia in the wake of the pandemic which forced a major restructure of the competition.
South Africa’s four franchises move to Europe to join the formerly named Pro14 competition and NZR put out an ‘invitation to apply’ for further inclusion in Super Rugby.
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In previous Super Rugby seasons the gulf between the two country’s teams was much wider, leading to doubt from NZR over the competitiveness of five Australian teams in the competition.
Domestic-only versions of Super Rugby were played over the 2020 and 2021 seasons which saw renewed crowd interest in Australia. The 2021 Super Rugby AU final between the Reds and Brumbies drew over 40,000 supporters at Suncorp Stadium.
However, Australia’s teams showed vast improvement in 2022 against New Zealand teams with the Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, and Queensland Reds all securing wins over Kiwi sides while the Melbourne Rebels came within a whisker of defeating the Chiefs.
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McLennan revealed that there are thoughts that a domestic-only product could be financially more successful for Rugby Australia in the crowded Australian sports market.
“Some board members have strong opinions that a domestic only competition like the AFL and NRL would generate more money for the game and that is fair comment.”
Losing the Australian teams would be a major blow for Super Rugby in New Zealand, who have just secured investment from Silver Lake to shore up their finances and improve the commercial viability of their product.
It is unclear whether a New Zealand-only competition would aid that goal with less fixtures to broadcast while the All Blacks could eventually suffer after seeing a lack of different playing styles.
The Super Rugby competition over the last 15 plus years went from bad to worse with Andy Marinos in charge. Guess who is CEO of Rugby Australia now?
Andy destroys anything he is involved with and he is clearly pulling the wool over McLennan's eyes too.
Wake up Australia, Wallabies will not be developed from club Rugby.
Wouldn't you think the journo would know the difference between 'less' and 'fewer' fixtures?
Dear Sir John Kirwin - NZ rugby needs SA Rugby more than we need you right now...
With RA pulling out of Super Rugby in 2024 I suggest that the Springboks join the 6 Nations and pull out of the Super Rugby Championships, then maybe you'll get the point?
I hope this is only a negotiation tactic for the love of the game. We want the game to become more and more international, not an inbred subculture game like Aussie Rugby League and American Gridiron.
You did not mention the Western Force recent wonderful victory !!
Money screwing up High Level Rugby. Bring back no lifting and rucking on the wrong side of the ball.
Quoting Dick Austin, " Back 10, play on Boys"
OBTW, stop crying and perform.
Toso, Drua, Toso!
Mua Pasifika!
Let the English convicts play with themselves.
Dont know if that is very smart, yes financially it might be great but if the national side struggles due to lack of exposure that interset will quickly dwindle IMO. From a South African perspective, during the lockdown, our teams bashing each other every week over and over really killed interset for the casual fan. Might be different over there but for me, nothing builds excitement like beating strong international opposition
Still think that the full super rugby was the best with NZ OZ and SA. Not so much ARG. Problem was the 'Going back in time theory', of time zone travel. Playing your own countries style of rugby does not improve your game for when you need to play against the other countries teams. Although NZ historically are way above the rest in world rugby, SA are building a team to be reckoned with. Would love to see a SA NZ WC final again. Not a big fan of OZ.
Only mentions 3 Aussie teams winning against NZ sides what about rebels and force in the last week ?
Lol rugby Australia are clowns