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ANALYSIS: A proposal for a crossover tournament involving all 5 Australian Super Rugby teams could potentially start the recovery process between NZ Rugby and Rugby Australia.
As NZ Rugby and RA continue their ugly feud over the Rugby Championship draw, and if the All Blacks will be able to come out of quarantine on Christmas Day, the concept of a trans-Tasmanian competition could be a way to bring the two parties together.
It is understood that NZR, which had a board meeting on Wednesday, wants the popular Super Rugby Aotearoa to return, which would involve two rounds, with potentially six teams if a Pasifika entry is rushed into the competition, followed by a grand final. to determine the overall winner.
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Two rounds of Super Rugby Aotearoa, followed by a final, could be up for grabs in 2021.
A crossover competition between the five Australian teams could follow. This is likely to involve two groups of five, with a mix of teams from both countries.
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Although the trans-Tasmanian competition is still far from being approved, and relations between NZR and RA may need to unfreeze before it is ratified, it would be seen as another victory for the Australians who had already pinched the Rugby Championship below New Zealand. nose.
NZR said that strict government quarantine protocols forced Sanzaar, who had previously stated that New Zealand was the preferred host of the Rugby Championship, to award the tournament to Australia, although Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that the policy within Sanzaar it was the culprit.
Whatever the truth, and sadly it’s hard to tell, the Australians won that battle.
It’s time to rewind and understand what started this dirty fight between the two parties.
Following the publication of the Aratipu report in July, NZ Rugby told RA that it was in favor of an eight-team Super Rugby competition that featured five teams from New Zealand, only two from Australia and one entry from Pasifika.
Another option was a 10-team competition, with four Australian teams.
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Rugby Australia President Hamish McLennan says the relationship with NZ Rugby is at “an all-time low”.
The angry representatives of RA exploded. They were clearly not impressed with the proposal and as a consequence none of the 5 Australian teams presented an expression of interest.
NZR, which is under pressure from its five Super Rugby franchises to confirm next year’s program and to be able to bring clarity to business partners, sponsors and fans, is eager to have a Pasifika team involved that would then make sure it can provide three games per weekend for announcer Sky.
However, there are concerns that if the NZR moves too fast it could undermine the SRA.
NZR CEO Mark Robinson recently confirmed that eight expressions of interest, including all 5 NZ franchises, had been received for a new competition.
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Sir Graham Henry wants NZ Rugby to incorporate a Pasifika team by 2021.
Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry recently put the pressure on NZR to add a Pasifika team right away, confirming that he had been in discussions as various consortia got together to brainstorm how to make a single entry work. .
While all Super Rugby franchises applaud NZR for their desire to add a Pasifika entry, there are genuine concerns about how a new franchise can hire a competitive team and finalize the necessary infrastructure before the season begins.
The expansion of the SRA could result in uneven results, undermining the quality of competition and could damage the brand of the new Pasifika team, which will likely be based in South Auckland.
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Auckland coach Alama Ieremia could help prepare a Pasifika team if invited to Super Rugby Aotearoa.
It is understood that if a Pasifika entry is approved, they may not participate in the trans-Tasman tournament after SRA.
Because Super Rugby teams generally meet in late November for preseason training, there is a genuine concern that it would be unfair for a new Pasifika entry to recruit players on such short notice.
Inviting a Pasifika team to join the 2022 competition may be a better option for all parties; By giving the organization more time to recruit quality players, it would be more competitive against New Zealand teams that have been established for 25 years.
If the borders are opened, a full competition across Tasmania will be on the agenda. For now, however, it seems that no one wants to tempt fate by going that way.
