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Whether you like it or not, the conference system is the best model for a competition like Super Rugby, and it’s here to stay.
Reverting back to a round robin format would condemn teams and players to arduous travel schedules.
Some will argue that travel was the issue this season, however much of the issues were created by the split conferences in South Africa, calling for the Jaguares and Sunwolves to rack up the frequent flyer miles.
This is easily rectified. Prior to the most recent expansion, Super Rugby ran a three-conference system of five teams in each, which was more balanced and efficient.
While a reversion to the old system seems obvious, we have to take into account one of the primary reasons behind the introduction of the conference system: expansion.
With all the talk of scrapping one team from both South Africa and Australia, many have overlooked the very real and dare I say more likely prospect of expansion. Even Accenture, who were commissioned by SANZAAR, have suggested further growth, with their best proposal calling to expand Super Rugby to 24 teams.
Additionally, I have the most workable and in terms of final results, the most equitable format for the 24-team format.
The current four conferences would remain, but all four would be balanced with an even number of teams based along time zones as well as geography. Each conference would consist of six teams, with the competition run over two phases.
In the first phase, all teams play their conference rivals on a home-and-away schedule for a total of ten games. At the end of this phase, the teams within each conference would be rank one to six.
In the second phase, using the rankings from the first phase, the teams would be split into six pools of four teams, with one team from each conference in each pool. At this point, teams could either play each other once for a total of 13 regular season games (156 games) or home and away for six games (192), depending on the competitions preference.
At the end of the second phase, the top team in each pool would move forward onto a standard six-team finals series, once again ranked one-six depending on total points accrued during phase two.
In theory, the six best teams throughout the competition would qualify, regardless of their original conference.
The advantages of this format are twofold.
Firstly, it can be used to involve more teams without significantly expanding the season. Being largely based on time zones will also lessen the burden of travel.
Secondly, with discussions regarding rugby’s future schedule and the possibility of moving the June Test window back to July, it offers the flexibility to accommodate both that or a scenario where the June window remains.
The biggest question will be the where and why of expansion.
The why is so the competition can stave off the growing financial muscle of the Top 14 and Aviva Premiership.
As for where, the Sunwolves playing out of Singapore could be a test case as to the viability of a future franchise based out of the city-state. Apparently, the crowds for those games were growing, so there’s one option.
The other five should all be based in the Americas: a combined South American squad playing out of both Brazil and Uruguay, which would have a large number of Argentines on their roster, with the other four in North America. With a small (relatively to overall population) but growing playing and fan-base, this option isn’t as crazy as it might seem.
Super Rugby is still the best professional rugby competition in the world, and we are the better for our involvement. The key is finding the fairest and most equitable format.
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.