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The biggest stumbling block for Super rugby since 2003 has been Australia. In 2003, rugby was going gangbusters in Australia, and 2004 should have been the time when Super rugby became more of a Heineken Cup-style format with the top four teams from the NPC, Currie Cup and the APC.
By now Super rugby should have 16 teams competing, with the three best teams from Japan competing, one from a new Pacific Islands competition (that should be set up anyway) consisting of two Fijian teams, one or two Samoan teams and one from Tonga (this competition would be funded by Super rugby). Then in 2011, with Sevens becoming an Olympic sport, we should be looking to form an American leg – you could have twelve 12 teams, four each from Argentina, America and Canada, with the top four playing in a new 20 team Super rugby competition.
Imagine the Mighty Hawks Bay Magpies (NZ) playing the New York Irish (we should copyright that), or the Reds playing Tokyo in the Super final. Now that’s something to talk about.
Instead, it’s 2010 and we’re getting excited about the Melbourne Rebels becoming part of Super rugby in 2011. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be one of the first to sign up for a membership, But all we’re doing is restricting the NPC and Currie Cup to help Australian rugby, which hasn’t made a right decision since the 2003 World Cup.
It should be the other way round.
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.