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Sunwolves to relocate to Australia as part of new Aussie Super Rugby plan

(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Rugby Australia officials expect to have their replacement Super Rugby competition locked in by the end of this month with an aim of starting in early July. RA has released a return-to-play strategy with the aim of starting a five or six team 12-week competition, with Western Force and possibly Japan’s Sunwolves joining the four Australian Super Rugby teams.

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The original five-nation Super Rugby competition was suspended in mid-March because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .

“The draw we are looking at is a 12-week competition, 10 weeks of regular round matches and depending on the number of teams, work out how many games per week there.'” RA general manager of professional rugby services Ben Whitaker said.

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Scott Sio talks Super Rugby…

Wallaby prop Scott Sio has offered his qualified support for a scrum clock to be trialled during a planned domestic competition in Australia.

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Scott Sio talks Super Rugby…

Wallaby prop Scott Sio has offered his qualified support for a scrum clock to be trialled during a planned domestic competition in Australia.

“The Sunwolves, at the moment would be located in either New South Wales or Queensland.”

The four-nation Rugby Championship which is due to commence in August, will be pushed back, though SANZAAR officials are still hoping it will be staged.

“The international travel restrictions in South Africa and Argentina have been strengthened in the last couple of weeks and you will see that both of those nations at least won’t have any restrictions lifted until September,’ Whitaker said.

He said regular discussions were being held between SANZAAR, the Six Nations and World Rugby to try to get Test rugby played this year.

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The Rugby Championship apart, there are also major tours that need to be crammed into what could be a packed schedule in the second half of 2020.

Australia have three home Tests in July, two against Ireland and one versus Fiji that could be rescheduled to October with the Wallabies down to contest three spring tour Tests in Europe in November.

Super Rugby players returned to their headquarters on Monday and will train in groups of no more than ten from Tuesday.

“There will be temperature checks performed before entering any training facilities, the players and staff have to accept appropriate cleaning responsibilities,” RA’s chief medical officer Dr Warren McDonald said.

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“‘We will have some further education sessions with the players and the staff in coming weeks and as we move closer to playing. there will be specific education around things like how we travel to games.

“We’re looking at charter flights, how do we catch a bus to a game and how do we actually manage the stadiums.”

RA has strongly recommended players get flu jabs, but has not made it mandatory, though it’s believed the vast majority have already had a shot.

RA has submitted its policy on the issue and return to play protocols to all the states who have teams set to play in the new Super Rugby competition.

Officials are allowing for between four and six weeks of contact work before competition starts.

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R
RedWarrior 44 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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