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The Crusaders fly to the middle Richie Mounga on the charge against the Bues in Christchurch on June 11, 2020.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
- It looks like Super Rugby will return to a 12-team competition starting in 2022, reports the New Zealand Herald.
- The tournament is likely to feature five teams from New Zealand and Australia, with the other two from Pasifika Moana and Fiji.
- SA Rugby has already expressed its desire to present teams at an expanded PRO Rugby event in Europe.
the Super Rugby The competition appears set to return to a 12-team tournament in 2022, with five teams from New Zealand and Australia each.
According to the Herald of New Zealand, the relationship between New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia has improved to the point that a plan for the future of Super Rugby has been agreed.
The other two teams are expected to come from Pasifika Moana and Fiji.
However, this 12-team tournament will not feature South African teams, and SA Rugby recently announced that its Super Rugby franchises (Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers) would play in an expanded PRO Rugby event in Europe.
In 2021, New Zealand will continue its Super Rugby Aotearoa event, while Australia will host a second season of Super Rugby AU.
Earlier this year, NZR announced that it was effectively dissolving Super Rugby as it opted to form its own tournament and invited Australian teams to submit expressions of interest.
However, the Australian teams refused, citing the NZR’s actions as arrogant and unfounded, sparking tensions between the two unions.
The main concerns of NZR at the time were that Australian rugby did not have a broadcast agreement as of 2021 and if they had the depth of players to maintain five franchises.
The new plan for Super Rugby, according to the New Zealand Herald report, is still subject to broader travel restrictions, as well as meeting certain financial criteria, and certain teams demonstrate its sustainability.
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
