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Brent Impey (Getty Images)
President of New Zealand Rugby (NZR) Brent Impey explained why a team from the Pacific Islands will not participate next year Super Rugby New Zealand event.
NZR announced Thursday that its five franchises would again compete for the Aotearoa title next year, with the possibility of adding a final. A crossover tournament involving Australian teams could also follow.
Rugby’s governing body said it would seek to add teams to Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2022. It has reportedly received four offers, including two from Pasifika organizations, one from Hawaii and one based in the Counties Manukau region, and a bay. backed by China. supply based on abundance. Perth-based Western Force could also join the competition.
On Friday, when asked why the Pacific Island teams would not join in 2021, Impey said the franchise would not have been ready.
“The board was not satisfied at this point that any of the applicants could put in a team or provide the financial backing necessary to satisfy. The last thing we want is for any team to come in and get crushed,” he said. as cited by New Zealand Stuff website.
“Yes, there were parties that wanted licenses for 2021, but we considered that, both on and off the field, none were ready.
“There is work to be done on them. We want to make sure, first, that the teams can be competitive on the field, and when it comes to off the field, they have to be self-sufficient.
“We are heading towards a multi-million dollar loss, and we can’t afford to subsidize any new teams that come in. So by 2022 … that gives a little more time for teams to get the rosters and coach setup right. . “
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
