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Although I support both the Super Rugby and the ITM and Currie Cup competitions, they’re not viable for the future of rugby union in the southern hemisphere. Rugby has lost ground in key heartland areas such as New Zealand, where fans are turning away from the game in worrying numbers.
My solution (taking into account past ideas from fellow Roarers) to this problem is outlined below, and allows for the incorporation of the emerging nations of Japan and Argentina, as well as heartlands such as the Pacific Islands. I have outlined the competition format first using New Zealand as an example.
New Zealand Championship (ITM Cup)
The new ITM cup would be played in two rounds. The first round would be played over nine weeks beginning mid to late February, with a bye for each team.
North Auckland (Northland and North Harbour combined)
Auckland
Waikato Counties
Taranaki Manawatu
Eastern (Hawkes Bay – Bay of Plenty)
Wellington
Canterbury (Canterbury and Tasman)
Otago
Southland
After the first round of the ITM cup, a Heineken Cup-style competition would be played (referred to as the Steinlager Cup here as an example). This would encompass teams from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and Japan/Argentina with possibly a team from each of the islands.
All teams would be placed in four pools of eight, totalling 32 teams (9 each from New Zealand and South Africa, eight from Australia, and either six from Japan/Argentina, or three from Japan/Argentina along with Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian XVs).
Pools would be selected based on position finished in the first round of the domestic competitions, so to distribute both stronger and weaker teams in each pool (non-SANZAR teams fitted in manually using best judgement).
These pool stages will commence immediately after the end of the first round of the SANZAR domestic competitions. The cup final series (quarters, semis and final) would be played in a knock-out style competition straight after the pool stages, making the tournament 10 weeks long.
Following on from the Steinlager Cup, the All Blacks will be named (same timing as at present). The Test season will then begin the same time as the second round of the ITM cup. This will enable a more even ITM cup competition and ensure a team does not hoard All Blacks, as teams will have to ensure they have enough depth to compete when the All Blacks go into camp.
If the format was followed this year, the dates for the respective competitions would be as follows:
February 19th – Kick-off on ITM Cup round 1
April 16th – End of ITM Cup round 1
April 23rd – Beginning of Steinlager Cup
June 25th – Steinlager Cup final
July second – Kick-off on ITM cup round 2
27th August – End of Round two ITM Cup
11th September – ITM Cup Final
This format would ensure that all teams will have at least 11 home games per season (8 ITM cup games and minimum 3 Steinlager Cup pool games), even if they do not progress to any finals. For the more successful teams, they may be able to host up to 18 home games (10 ITM Cup games, five Steinlager Cup pool games, three Steinlager Cup finals games).
If there is demand, a second finals series (e.g. the Steinlager Plate) could be played at the same time as the Steinlager Cup, by the teams finishing 3rd and 4th in their respective pools.
To keep merged provinces involved and interested, the games would be split between the two on a population or rugby history basis (e.g. Waikato Counties would play four or five games at Pukekohe, six or seven games at Hamilton.
The teams would also using both playing strips – For example Waikato Counties would play in Waikato colours at home games, and use Counties colours for their away strip.
Another possible idea to keep identity is to have the 14 current provinces keep under-20 teams, which play a national competition as curtain raisers to the second round of the ITM Cup.
I know the merging provinces would not be over the moon, but I am sure with the right negotiations (like those suggested above) it can be succesfully done. I am from Counties, so I fully understand the implications and risks of merging provinces and potentially alienating fans.
However, I think in this case, something needs to be done, or else we may see the continued devaluation of the current ITM cup and Super Rugby competitions.
This format would also bring back the tribalism in New Zealand Rugby, and not force people to support two teams, or support regions they traditionally hate (e.g. Southland – Otago). This will no doubt increase crowd numbers and interest.
Three Australian Super Rugby franchises would be kept, so as to not undo the good work already done in those areas.
Western Force
Melbourne Rebels
ACT Brumbies
South Brisbane (To include Gold Coast, Ipswich, Redlands)
North Brisbane (to include Sunshine Coast, also play two games in Townsville/Mackay etc)
Western Sydney
Northern Sydney-Central Coast
Southern/Eastern Sydney
This would follow the same deal as above with the ITM cup, and would give Australia a much needed viable domestic competition, and many more quality games to sell to broadcasters.
To not lose out on Australia’s biggest rivalry, a one, two or three game Queensland Reds versus New South Wales Waratahs match could also be played each year, to keep the identity going.
This could follow the same concept as league’s state of origin, or something like where your last year of high school was. The key will be to market it without avoiding people comparing it to league’s version.
South Africa would have nine teams playing for the already successful Currie Cup (eight existing, plus one from first division).
This would in effect keep the ITM and Currie cups, as well as giving teams international exposure, without sacrificing on or the other. High profile international games would happen in the final stages of the Steinlager Cup.
It would dramatically increase the amount of relevant games shown during prime time. Most weeks Australian viewers could see four games locally, plus four New Zealand games all close to prime time.
Involving the Island teams in the Steinlager Cup would be great for Pacific Islands rugby. The cup could be scheduled to play between the off season in Europe to make sure those teams are strong. It would also significantly reduce travel.
The potential downsides are that quality may be below that of Super Rugby, though this does not necessarily mean that the rugby is less exciting. The current ITM Cup has 14 teams, and there are some spectacular games of rugby played in that competition.
The rugby will still be of a high quality, and may entice more people to stay here rather than chase the riches in Europe.
In New Zealand the amount of professional teams will be reduced effectively from 19 to 8, so they may be able to actually increase wages for the stars. All Blacks, Wallabies, and Springboks will still be able to get the same amount through their international contracts. The only question lies with the viability or the smaller merged unions.
Australia would obviously be the biggest challenge in terms of depth, but they need to do something sooner rather than later. I would say the increase in revenue from broadcasters would be able to provide money to entice back ex-union players currently playing in the Toyota Cup and the NRL, and maybe some from overseas.
It would also solve some of the problems currently experienced in Sydney, where rugby followers refuse to support the Waratahs.
Let me know what you think, Roarers.
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