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Super Rugby Aotearoa could grow to include more New Zealand sides next season according to NZR's chairman

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

While it’s perhaps fair to say that the Super Rugby model has been in due of a rejig for a number of years now, the global pandemic has forced the hands of the various stakeholders to consider a significant change-up in 2021.

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This year, New Zealand and Australia are operating two completely separate competitions, Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU, which will include no international interaction.

Meanwhile, there’s little clarity at present what’s on the cards for South Africa and Argentina this year.

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Long-time NZ rugby journalist Ross Karl is joined by two players each week to discuss the ins and outs of the great game in New Zealand.

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      Long-time NZ rugby journalist Ross Karl is joined by two players each week to discuss the ins and outs of the great game in New Zealand.

      Looking ahead to 2021, there’s a very real chance that those nations still won’t be able to engage in regular international travel – but the possibility exists of New Zealand and Australia teaming up to create some form of trans-Tasman competition.

      While fans around the world have enjoyed the spectacle of Super Rugby Aotearoa this year, New Zealand Rugby chairman Brent Impey has suggested that the current model is infeasible for the future.

      https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKLErgg0Tl/

      “Certainly the way it’s been embraced has been terrific,” Impey told Stuff.

      “The derbies are always the ones that have attracted the best crowds and the best television, everything.

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      “The challenge is that it’s pretty hard to run a sustainable competition with five teams.

      A small dose of high-quality football works wonders – which is the situation that New Zealand has currently found itself in – but if the same five teams play one another week after week, year after year, then the product will become stale over time. Imepy has instead suggested that any future competitions – that aren’t forced by external events – must have some variety in order to keep fans interested.

      “It worked perfectly this year but going longer-term, it’s not really a sustainable model,” Impey said.

      “We’ve got an open mind, but we’ve got to remember what our fans want and also make sure it’s viable.”

      The two easiest solutions for 2021 (and possibly beyond) would be to include Australian teams and create a trans-Tasman competition or to simply expand Super Rugby Aotearoa and introduce more New Zealand teams.

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      While the former option might not produce the level of rugby, the latter comes with other pitfalls.

      “One of the issues you get into if you just extend out New Zealand teams is the question of high performance,” said Impey.

      “We’ve been able to use the current five to field a pretty decent All Black team over the years with very few hiccups.

      “The risk you are running if you go down that line is the watering down of high performance.”

      Rugby Australia, who are in dire financial straits, will be desperate to come to an arrangement for NZR for the future. While Australian fans may enjoy watching their local talent go toe-to-toe, the quality of competition would see a marked increase with New Zealand sides involved.

      New RA chairman Hamish McLennan has suggested that a trans-Tasman competition is the future and Impey certainly hasn’t ruled that out.

      “We’re open to working with Rugby Australia. We’re open to it all. We’ve got a completely open mind as we plan through.”

      The wider public would almost certainly like to see involvement from the likes of Japan and the Pacific Islands while a future involving South Africa and Argentina is looking less and less likely.

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      J
      JW 53 minutes ago
      'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

      Sorta “rent a comment” kinda guy really.

      Haha yep another great way to say it.


      Look I actually agree with the guy, he might have heard something said and seeing as he loves to make a spotlight, and be in it, he decided/mistakenly came up with this headline grabber?


      Despite what I already said was the actual idea for the topic he mistook, I think, at this particular moment, there are plenty of situations people should be sticking. I’m OK with the Dmac situation if its just until Stevenson and Etene start sharing the Fullback job. I’m OK with Barrett being left at 15 and Perofeta being given the job to displace Plummer (easy task for him imo) as the first five (with the ABs in mind). But pretty much all the others, like your suggestions, they are far off optimal understanding of their core positions so should be trying to specialize for a couple of years. Think Ioane and Proctor, one or the other, not trying to get both on. Barrett or ALB/Higgins/Lam, Sititi and Sotutu at 8, Finau/Haig/all the 6’s injured or gone etc.


      From Razors perspective, of a coach on the limit of what can be achieved, he wants to a balance of core and niche. Having players able to cover situations when your down a man, through card or because he’s lying on the ground, you want your players to be adaptable. Does this mean he’d like them to learn that adaptable by playing other positions fully, like for a whole game in another position, or just as in terms of their skills sets. Because if you apply what I suggested Razor was referring to as “four” positions, wingers can be very useful in other roles like a carrying 12, or a pilferring 7, let alone benefit from a tight relationship and understand of what a 13 is trying to do for them.


      This concept applies to pretty much every single position. Take your(my) Lock example, theyre now lifters, they can (size and shape allowing) ruck and maul like the front row, run like a back and offload like a basketballer. Many recent young locks of of this rangy razzle dazle variety.


      Personally I really like and think that adding versatility is inevitable with the amount of training and really early highperformance skill/athleticism work they get through. Max Hicks looked interesting as a 2m beanpole playing openside in France, PSDT showing the frame is certainly viable (as apposed to the typical 6 playing lock), opensides really need a running/carry side to their play these days and could easily play in midfield. Halfbacks are starting to play standing up straight rather than low to the ground, how cool would it have been if the Hurricanes had decided to retain Preston by switching Roigard to 10 for this season? Like Leroy Carter they’re already good wingers with the right pace. I do really see the back three players staying were they are for the most part though, unless theyre special players like Dmac.

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