Wallabies, NZ stars want changes

Sydney: The Wallabies and All Blacks are mortal enemies on the rugby field but with the game’s future in doubt players from the rival nations have held talks to discuss their desired competition for the future.

Nine News revealed a contingent of Aussie players, led by Wallabies captain Michael Hooper was involved in a phone hook up with their Kiwi counterparts including newly appointed All Blacks captain Sam Cane.

The player representatives floated ideas for what Super Rugby may look like moving forward, with the current format under severe pressure to remain relevant, particularly in Australia.

The group unanimously agreed that the competition as it stands– including Australian, New

Zealand, South African, Japanese and Argentinian franchises – is no longer viable.

It’s a belief widely agreed upon by rugby fans in Australia, and they can take satisfaction from the knowledge the stars of the game are with them on that point. A Trans-Tasman competition, involving the existing nine franchises from each country along with the re-introduction of the Western Force, is the format the players want to see.

They’d be willing to welcome a Pacific Island team to the fold in a move that would likely delight World Rugby.

One thing standing in the way of that idea becoming a reality is the fact South Africa and New Zealand are believed to have already signed broadcast deals beyond 2020 under the current Super Rugby format. - nine.com.au