Tensions likely to surface
Poorly performing teams could face the axe
TENSIONS about how Super Rugby should be structured beyond 2017 are likely to surface among Sanzaar officials when they gather in March.
Some are advocating that the league should be reduced from 18 teams while others would like to see it increased to 20.
A reduction in the league from 18 to 16 teams could see poorly performing teams like the Southern Kings and the Cheetahs facing the axe.
England coach Eddie Jones has said that culling Australian teams the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels would help to strengthen the Waratahs, Reds and Brumbies.
There have also been calls for the inclusion of teams from the Pacific Islands (Fiji and Tonga) and America and this would fall into line with Sanzaar’s apparent aim of continued expansion.
Former Sanzaar boss Greg Peters, the man who helped to integrate the Jaguares from Argentina into Super Rugby, is unconvinced regarding the inclusion of a Pacific islands team.
Peters said the concept is great, but the biggest issue is whether or not it is feasible.
“It needs to be long term sustainable. Obviously it’s a question that many of the franchises within the current structure are facing now, so for anyone coming in it needs to be pretty clear.”
He said player retention is vital if southern hemisphere teams are to maintain a dominant position in world rugby.
Peters said there’s challenges ahead for teams like South Africa and Australia to remain powerhouses of the world game.
“It’s not only monetary or economic, it’s the development of the game as well and making sure we can give the athletes the best chance to perform on the world stage.”
There have also been calls for South Africa and Australia to each lose two teams to improve the quality of the game in those nations.
However, Wallabies assistant coach Nathan Grey Australia’s struggles will not be fixed by reducing the number of teams they have in Super Rugby.
The Wallabies managed to win only six Tests in 2016, while the Brumbies were the only Aussie team to reach the Super Rugby play-offs.
“Super Rugby with the five franchises that Australia has exposes a lot more players to that next level,” Grey said.
“The more you can expose those players to those stepups in intensity and performance it’s only going to hold Australian rugby in good steads.
“If you only had the three teams there’s going to be a number of guys who are not going to be exposed to that level and it’s not going to help the game.”
Former Springbok Joel Stransky wants Super Rugby to reduced and he has called for the Kings and Cheetahs to be booted in 2018.
Last season the Kings were badly hampered by a late start to their preparations
This time around, though, Kings head coach Deon Davids and his team have enjoyed a proper pre-season that has already moved into full swing
The new Super Ruby season kicks off next month and the Kings host the Jaguares at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in their opener on February 25