Boks set to head north after Super Rugby snub
SOUTH Africa’s big rugby franchises will likely head north from next year after New Zealand revealed their vision of Super Rugby lay within the Australasia-Pacific.
Following an extensive review process undertaken by New Zealand rugby authorities, and announced on Friday, New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams will align with their Australian counterparts and include a team from the Pacific islands to form a new interprovincial competition from as early as 2021.
There would be no space for either the South African franchises or Argentina’s Jaguares as New Zealand Rugby want to see all five of their Super Rugby teams take part in a tournement of between eight and ten teams.
“Coming on the back of Covid-19 and its impact on future competitions, the NZR Board has committed to establishing a new professional team competition in 2021,” said NZR CEO Mark Robinson.
“We have also been heartened by the success of Super Rugby Aotearoa in recent weeks. The focus is now on confirming the licences for New Zealand’s five current Super Rugby franchises and that work is under way.
“We have highly valued the partnership with these five teams over the last 25 years of the competition and want that to continue.”
Robinson added a breakaway from the current
Super Rugby model would allow a team from either Tonga, Samoa or Fiji to enter the market.
“There is a huge desire to have a Pasifika team involved which we think will be massive for the competition, popular with fans and is a priority for us,” said Robinson.
“As we know, our Pacific nations and Pasifika players in New Zealand have added so much to the rich history of rugby in Oceania and our game here in New Zealand. To have a team that would provide an additional pathway for Pasifika players to perform on the world stage would be hugely exciting.”
The Hawaiian-based franchise that is co-owned by ex-All Blacks Jerome Kaino, Joe Rokocoko, John Afoa, Ben Atiga, Anthony Tuitavake and Benson Stanley is believed to be the Pasifika team in the running.
Robinson added NZR would talk to Rugby Australia to find out about their franchise’s needs and wants going forward. “We are excited and interested to see what our Australian neighbours will bring to this competition.”
While nothing has been decided on the number of teams to play in a new-look Super Rugby competition, Robinson said he hoped to stage something with a maximum of ten teams.
“We want teams that are competitive and that fans will want to watch go head to head, week in, week out.”
South Africa’s future then is almost guaranteed to be in Europe with the Bulls, Sharks, Stormers and Lions joining the Cheetahs and Kings in PRO rugby as early as next year.
Rugby Australia said in a Press release that it “acknowledges New Zealand Rugby’s preferred position following their announcement today regarding a potential future provincial competition from 2021 and look forward to working constructively with New Zealand Rugby in the coming weeks.”