'No surprise': New Zealand Rugby issue response to South Africa's planned Super Rugby exit
New Zealand Rugby has issued a press release in response to the statement made by the South Africa Rugby Union overnight that outlined their intention to exit Super Rugby.
The SARU confirmed that it would explore options to move its four current Super Rugby franchises – the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers – into the PRO14 in place of the two incumbent South African sides, the Cheetahs and Southern Kings.
SARU chief executive Jurie Roux suggested his union wouldn’t have taken such measures were it not for NZR’s publicly-stated desire for a domestic, trans-Tasman or Pacific competition in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As such, he said that it was impossible for the 14-team Super Rugby competition – which saw the expulsion of the Sunwolves from the tournament – that participating partners had agreed on for the next five years to go forth as planned.
“Our members are excited about the prospect of closer alignment with PRO Rugby Championship and seeking a northern hemisphere future, but we would not have been taking this decision but for actions elsewhere,” Roux said.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, NZR chief executive Mark Robinson has responded to those claims and South Africa’s imminent departure from Super Rugby as we know it.
The statement read that it was “no surprise” that South Africa intended to leave for Europe given they had previously spoken of their eagerness to move into the Northern Hemisphere.
“SARU has signalled for some time now they were looking at aligning with the Northern Hemisphere season,” Robinson said, before acknowledging South Africa’s commitment to stay onboard with SANZAAR at international level.
“All of the SANZAAR partners had agreed to look at more domestically related competitions in 2020 and 2021. During times like these change is inevitable and we need to be willing to adapt quickly.
“We were thrilled with how Super Rugby Aotearoa was received this year and are excited about what is shaping up for 2021. We’re also pleased to hear confirmation of South Africa’s ongoing commitment to remain a key partner in SANZAAR, which strongly aligns with NZR’s position.
“We look forward to seeing the Springboks in action during the upcoming Rugby Championship in Australia.”
Having provided three Super Rugby champions in the form of the Bulls (2007, 2009-10), the loss of South Africa will be keenly felt at club level as NZR and Rugby Australia work towards a new competition with more of a local focus.
Robinson mentioned his excitement for a reboot of the highly-successful Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2021, which will, contractually, be considered a one-off due to the ongoing coronavirus disruptions, and may feature a Pasifika team based out of South Auckland.
However, RA chairman Hamish McLennan told The Breakdown on Tuesday that he is backing a trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition for next year.
“I would like a trans-Tasman competition. I think COVID is throwing up a whole lot of issues and I’m not sure where that’s going to land by ultimately we’ve got a really powerful Anzac block that we should be leveraging and working together,” McLennan said.
“I think we’re better players when we play against you guys, and it will only get better over time.
“We’ve got a good crop of young guys coming through and I think the competition will improve, and we’ve got to work together to leverage our strength together on the global stage.”
Read New Zealand Rugby’s full statement below:
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has acknowledged the South African Rugby Union (SARU) statement to explore entering their existing Super Rugby teams in the PRO Rugby competition in Europe.
NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson said South Africa’s position was no surprise.
“SARU has signalled for some time now they were looking at aligning with the Northern Hemisphere season. All of the SANZAAR partners had agreed to look at more domestically related competitions in 2020 and 2021. During times like these change is inevitable and we need to be willing to adapt quickly.
“We were thrilled with how Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa was received this year and are excited about what is shaping up for 2021. We’re also pleased to hear confirmation of South Africa’s ongoing commitment to remain a key partner in SANZAAR, which strongly aligns with NZR’s position.
“We look forward to seeing the Springboks in action during the upcoming Rugby Championship in Australia.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
30 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments