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It’s a world cup year, hallelujah. And why do I seem so happy about that? There’s more to my excitement than it just being a chance to see the biggest tournament in rugby.
It is because the Super Rugby season flows naturally, without any mid-season break to host the Northern Hemisphere three-Test international series.
In the past few years, Super Rugby has taken a break for three weeks, completely disrupting the ebb and flow of the competition in my opinion.
This is a real fan killer in the intensity department.
This year, in a World Cup year, we see the season flow naturally. Super Rugby will be all over by July 4 with the grand final that night.
So February-July, a good flow of a season.
The part that can be disappointing is the resting and rotating of players of all three SANZAR nations who will feature prominently at World Cup time.
But then again rotation happens anyway in the modern game and a lot of these players get wrapped up and protected in cotton wool anyway, so this is nothing new.
This sets a precedent that I would like to keep – we should not have the northern hemisphere three-Test series anymore, except for the Lions every 12 years.
Some will say you can’t have your cake and eat it too, and these Test series bring in money.
That’ true, but shouldn’t the SANZAR countries and soon to be Argentina and Japan, focus on building revenue for Super Rugby, not merely making it a development comp for the national team?
The national team should not be the only big revenue driver, Super Rugby teams could definitely bring in more to the kitty if better promoted, allowing more foreign imports.
The Northern Hemisphere series is also not popular with the European clubs, as they want to give their players a proper off-season.
Super Rugby has excited me this season – especially the Hurricanes’ three-win road trip and the way they’re playing, and the Chiefs are also looking good.
It would be a shame to ruin the flow of Super Rugby each year, when they have captured the fans’ interest. This is taking place this year, with no disruptions to what should be a great year of Super Rugby.
In the future – outside a Lions series – I want the three-Test Northern Hemisphere series scrapped.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.