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Recently we have been bombarded with speculation of expansion options for Super Rugby into Asia and the Americas.
Teams for Japan and the US seem to be the preference of many or the bane of others.
In times gone by I would have agreed with the optimists. Add new teams to the fold and expand Super Rugby to four conferences; would have been my preference. However, things change and so has my thinking.
I still want to engage as many nations as possible, or more importantly players from these nations.
While I think an expansion to six teams per conference is inevitable as the SARU will want to resolve the Kings/Lions promotion/relegation mess with a simple expansion of conference sizes, I am now of the opinion that for Super Rugby to expand into the Americas in particular would be too ambitious in terms of time zones and distances required to be traversed in what is already the world’s toughest competition in those regards.
Additionally, with two organisation already working on bringing professional 15-man rugby to North America with a third in the wings seriously contemplating it, and the Argentine Union including the likes of Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil in their domestic representative structures, having Super Rugby interfere would likely to more harm than good.
So, how to grow Super Rugby without adding more weeks to the schedule or more travel to already weary heads?
How about a Super Rugby 2.0? Or, more importantly, a second independent league structure that can compliment Super Rugby ambitions to move into new markets yet keeps the product within its current time zones and at a level that would not see new squads blown out of the water? A development league, if you will.
Looking primarily to the Pacific Islands, current SANZAR partners and Asia could be an option. Super Rugby could create a new league that provides more opportunity for players to play professional rugby while providing fans and networks with extra content to enjoy and market.
Assuming the current conference system does move to six teams each and the team comes from within the current SANZAR alliance, then a 12-team development league could be established just below to allow more opportunity for players from across many nations to develop their craft and earn a living.
Of the 12 teams, a team from Samoa and Fiji would be obvious alongside two from each current SANZAR partner (or in Africa’s case, Kenya etc), making eight. Add in two teams from Japan, Hong Kong and the 12th would be up to who could present the best proposal.
This would develop new and old markets and offer fans with more rugby across more regions than ever before.
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.