'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
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments