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Report: Super Rugby to shift to 12-team format in 2022, introduce two Pacific teams
Despite fears that the respective New Zealand and Australian rugby unions would again overlook the Pacific Islands for future competitions, it appears that there will in fact be some Pasifika representation in Super Rugby moving forward.
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According to a report from the New Zealand Herald, the ten NZ and Australian sides will welcome a Moana Pasifika and a Fijian side into a 12-team competition for 2022.
The report corroborates with comments made by Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark last week.
While the current Super Rugby competition involving sides from Australasia, Africa, South America and Asia was widely considered untenable for the future, the only change that was expected for next year was the ejection of Japan’s Sunwolves. The global COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rethink, however, partially due to the limitations placed on travel.
Earlier this year, New Zealand Rugby announced they would be forming their own competition and invited external parties to put forward expressions of interest. NZR envisaged that the five Kiwi teams would be joined by a handful from Australia and/or the Pacific Islands but Rugby Australia fired back and have openly stated they would not be culling any of their current five teams.
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The frosty relationship from throughout the year has thawed, however, and NZR and RA now appear to once again be working together to better the game in Australasia.
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In 2021, the neighbours will play their same Super Rugby Aotearoa and AU competitions from this year before playing some trans-Tasman crossover matches. A season later, ideally once relative normalcy has returned for international travel, a full 12-team competition will be played.
The Moana Pasifika side are set to play home matches in Auckland, Samoa and Tonga but their involvement will be dependant on their financial security.
In a similar vein, RA have not yet confirmed their broadcast deal for the coming years, which could impact the future composition of Super Rugby.
Regardless of what comes to pass, the fact that the relationship between New Zealand and Australia’s unions appears to be improving will be a welcome development for all rugby stakeholders in both countries.
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While South Africa have pulled out of Super Rugby and will play in the new iteration of the PRO14 competition, the future for Argentina and Japan remains uncertain.
The Springboks and Pumas, however, will continue to play in the Rugby Championship alongside the All Blacks and Wallabies.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments