Time ticks away for Super clubs
Super Rugby clubs are becoming increasingly frustrated as theywait for NZ Rugby to confirm the structure of next year’s competition.
A final decision on the 2021 Super Rugby tournament isn’t expected until the end of the month, at the earliest, and for the five New Zealand clubs it can’t come soon enough. Usually at this time of the year – before Covid-19 ransacked the schedules – clubs would already be engaged with sponsors and fans to map out a financial plan for the year ahead.
But until NZ Rugby settles on a template for 2021, and it appears increasingly likely the five established teams will be the only participants in the second edition of Super Rugby Aotearoa, clubs can’t provide clarity for commercial partners and fans.
Until a format is confirmed, clubs can’t advise customers when gameswill be played at home, what the length of the competition will be or whether there will be playoffs.
Having sought ‘‘expressions of interest’’ following the release of the Aratipu report in July, NZ Rugby has received eight applications outside the five incumbent clubs.
None are from the four established Australian clubs. Rugby Australia has toldNZ Rugby itwouldn’t be dictated to, after the latter said it wanted a reduction in Aussie teams for a truncated eight-team competition.
A cross-border tournament now looks highly unlikely, in any case, because of the pandemic, although there’s scope for the top teams from each country to participate in a finals’ series. The five South African teams are exploring the option of joining an expanded Pro 14 competition in theNorthern Hemisphere, while the Jaguares from Argentina are in danger of disappearing.
NZ Rugby has stated it has a ‘‘huge desire’’ to have a Pasifika team involved in a future competition model, although this goodwillmay be stymied by issues such as funding, and the contracting of players.
Six teamswould allow games to be played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights which would be a popular sell for broadcasters Sky.
Realistically the only city big enough to host another Super Rugby team is Auckland because of its economic grunt and population. It can potentially cost up to $10 million to run a club.
Basing a team in another city with a team could be problematic because it may mean compromising existing clubs that don’t want to lose established fans and sponsors in the same region.
The question is whether there are enough players in New Zealand who can make a foundation club competitive, and therefore protect the integrity of the tournament.
Signing Pasifika players already playing in Europe could fill a roster, althoughmatching the value of those contracts and providing certainty beyond 2021 is unlikely.
If Super Rugby Aotearoa, which was played over 10 weeks when Super Rugbywas scrapped midMarch, comprises just five teams in 2021 the best option may be to play three rounds inside a 16-week window.
Some New Zealand clubs also hope a bi-annual knockout tournament that pits the best teams from each hemisphere could be organised post-2021.
SouthernHemisphere countries have long looked with envy at the Heineken Cup and wished they could participate in a tournament that generated so much hype and money. Right now New Zealand clubs need clarity from NZR.
But until NZ Rugby settles on a template for 2021 . . . clubs can’t provide clarity for commercial partners and fans.