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The 2016 Super Rugby format has already begun to take shape over the last few months. Here is what we know so far.
– South Africa has gotten their sixth super rugby side meaning that both the Southern Kings and the Lions will play in 2016.
– New Zealand has also asked for an extra side in 2016 but it remains unknown where this side will come from.
– Two Argentinian sides are looking likely to be added to the competition.
– The competition will run no longer than 19 weeks so that the June Internationals are after the Super Rugby season. This eliminates the idea of going back to the old system of each team playing every team.
If every country gets what they desire we will end up with the Super 19 which is an unbalanced number to work with the current system. A sixth Australian side is highly unlikely because of lack of player depth.
You could argue that the NSW Waratahs could be split into a Sydney and a Western Sydney side but this would dilute the level of rugby.
The most likely format for 2016 is one where there are two conferences, one with South Africa and Argentina and one with Australia and New Zealand.
This format would be successful because it would allow for more derbies within a smaller range of teams.
It would benefit Australian and New Zealand teams because it allows for less travel as well as the fans of these teams because the time zones are during the evening instead of the middle of the night.
There is nothing worse for fans when a team goes on tour for 3-4 weeks. South Africa would also benefit from the lack of travel but would end up playing weaker opposition. This would hurt them at international level in the long run.
My proposed idea is two add an extra conference with three Argentinian sides, the winning club side from Canada and the winning club side from the United States. That way you end up with four conferences.
Australia – Waratahs, Brumbies, Force, Reds, Rebels
New Zealand – Highlanders, Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes, Blues, (Hawkes Bay?)
South Africa – Kings, Lions, Sharks, Bulls, Stormers, Cheetahs
America – Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Rosario, Blues (Ontario), NYAC
It shouldn’t matter how many teams are in each conference as long as the amount of conference winners is the same. For example, the top two teams from each conference will reach the top eight finals series.
Each team would play ever team, home and away in their respective conference. Then for the next three weeks each team will play one team from each conference. By doing this, the finals rankings become more accurate.
If we base it off the 2013 Super Rugby table we would end up with a final series like this:
1. Chiefs
2. Bulls
3. Brumbies
4. Crusaders
5. Reds
6. Cheetahs
7. Mendoza
8. Rosario
The McIntyre system previously used in the NRL would be used on these final eight teams (one thing that I currently like about league). A four-week finals system would work out to be nineteen weeks.
This is just a proposed idea that I think that could work but there is a lack of teams playing teams from other conferences.
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.