Super Rugby is poised to move forward with a four-conference model in 2016 – with two based in South Africa.
Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver has revealed the announcement of an expanded and restructured model to take to broadcasters is only a fortnight away.
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– SANZAR CONFIRMS 18-TEAM SUPER RUGBY FORMAT
On the eve of an important meeting with provincial chief executives, Pulver has backed a Super 18 model for 2016 where Australian and New Zealand conferences would remain the same.
Australia’s five teams would play two less “local derby” matches in a 15-game regular season but would strengthen their Anzac ties by increasing their four matches against Kiwi rivals to five.
Significant changes will be made in South Africa with their six teams, including the recalled Southern Kings, put in two pools with a new Argentine team and a final side, which the ARU hopes will be based in the Asian market.
Those two four-team conferences – including an overseas expansion team in each – will only face one of the two Australasian conferences each year, which reduces fears of an increase in travel.
“It’s likely to be a four-conference model and this will be finalised in the next couple of weeks to be announced,” Pulver told AAP.
While the ARU chief executive is supporting SANZAR’s in-principle expansion plans, they’re unlikely to be applauded by his provincial counterparts.
Pulver has been under pressure from the franchises and the players’ association to pull Australia out of South Africa-driven plans to increase Super Rugby from 15 teams to 17 or 18.
Political pressure for more black participation saw SARU demand the Port Elizabeth-based Kings, who were relegated last season, be reinstated for good.
With South Africa providing almost half of the broadcast revenue, governing body SANZAR has listened to their powerful voice, and New Zealand are opposed to breaking the partnership.
Plans for less local derbies in Australia – dropping from eight to six, and meaning one less home game every second year – has upset state officials who believe it will see them go bust.
Pulver said he understood the concerns but backed the proposed changes as the best model to improve the competition and importantly boost broadcasting revenue.
“I’m more than happy to go along with it,” he said. “I think it will be a terrific structure for the game.”
Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Jim Carmichael hoped Australian officials remained open-minded about expansion plans to ensure the best result for the cash-strapped code.
“We don’t have a preferred model, as yet. We have a preferred position, and that is not to prejudice Australian interests in the competition moving forward,” Carmichael said.
“I’m okay to come to the table and hear alternative views as long as we are able to review those and ensure it ultimately delivers for Australian rugby.”
While the Reds, NSW Waratahs and Brumbies are unhappy about the loss of derby matches, Pulver said less was more for the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force.
“In Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra they work very well,” he said. “In Melbourne and Perth those two franchises aren’t too excited in home derbies.”
SANZAR’s proposed model for 2016
Teams: 18 – current 15 plus Southern Kings (RSA), Argentine team, plus one more
Conferences: 4 – Australia (5 teams), New Zealand (5), two based in South Africa (4 each, including one expansion team)
Matches: 15 per team
For Australia’s five teams:
Local derbies: 6 – play each other once plus two rivals twice
Trans-Tasman games: 5 – against all Kiwi rivals
South African games: 4 – against one of the two SA conferences
(* SA teams alternate yearly in opposing Australia or New Zealand conferences)
Michael
Guest
To expand RU now is madness and a sign of panic , I can't believe a sporting code that is losing tv. audience ,revenue and with a new completion Super Rugby still trying to establish itself, suddenly decides to change it. Christ we have not got to know how this comp works or the players involved yet. Have the ARU gone mad. RL with all it's money will not expand until the present comp is strong and well established to make sure fans are well informed the structures are strong and a sure revenue is in place. This I believe will be the end of professional Rugby, the game at present maybe professional but the administration is still armature .
Rugby is Life
Guest
One word CAMEL
alex
Roar Pro
The so called experts on this site, what makes you experts, i googled Brett Mckay found not much just his reporting, sheek is a guru and others..My question is this(im not having a go im seriously interested) what makes you guys experts in the game, how lonh have you played for who have you played for or are u guys just trupmped up so called couch experts As i said not having a go just am curious
alex
Roar Pro
u forget eddard nz doesnt need oz and never will, how many times do u have to be told
alex
Roar Pro
i was thinking nz and sa ditch oz
alex
Roar Pro
a cheap clone i love it
alex
Roar Pro
neither
alex
Roar Pro
oz shouldnt get any input at all, in fact im over the needy australian, if you guys are not happy with SR well eff off its simple...The fact is OZ needs super rugby NZ and SA do not its pretty bloody simple
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Great reading these comments. This global competition seems to be to be a regional style Rugby Championships. Making it relevant every week will be the struggle.
Higgik
Guest
So why not call the SA conference the Currie Cup conference with the winners being champions!!!!
Squirrel
Guest
I told ya . Pulver has lost the plot, rugby has been destroyed from the top . Club rugby has been destroyed, now S15. Next the wallabies. RIP back to the Roosters for me.
WEST
Roar Guru
Good grief, this is doing my head in. I cant work out how SA can add that many teams and still be competitive. Time to cut SA from the cord and have a Australian vs New Zealand comp, winner from that play the winner of the SA comp, or not at all. What changes have they made to the Rugby Championship. They have made changes to that as well !!
dru
Guest
Not at all a non-sensical response. I may be with you.
sheek
Roar Guru
Jiggles, I hope you're sitting down. For once, I'm shoulder to shoulder in agreement with you. ;-)
sheek
Roar Guru
This proposal, if it comes to pass, is a nonsense.
dr katz
Guest
gold! hahaha
dr katz
Guest
I have read the details a dozen times and I have no idea what all this means. +1
declan murphy
Guest
I don't think this is a good idea. 15 teams is already far too many to have in a tournament. I think they should raise the number to 20 teams and split it in to 2 leagues of 10. I think having 18 teams would severely dilute the concept. Too much of a gulf between the 1st team and the 18th team.
Katipo
Guest
I hope the ARU has a plan B? Plan B - decline Super Rugby but find out how much broadcasters will pay the Wallabies to appear in the Rugby Championship. Fill the revenue gap with an extended season long NRC PLUS a Rugby Finals series held in Australia. Like a World Series Cricket of Rugby. Australia's top teams plus ITM and Currie Cup teams, plus islanders, Argies and Japan's top club teams with the tournament hosted in Australia and hosted at NRC venues with finals in bigger grounds. Something like that. Let SA and NZ bash each other at 3am while we go our own way with more intimate and interesting tournaments. The total revenue for Plan B could be greater value to broadcasters than what's on the table now. It's highly possible. The only objection will be high level opposition for our top players. Well, NZ & SA will have gaps in their calendar once the Aussie Conference disolves so regular friendly matches can be played between Aussie teams and Super teams - problem solved!
Katipo
Guest
@Garryowen It's freakin' mess. If player welfare is the issue, as Steve Tew claims, then you would drop the Asian team and put TWO Argentine teams in to ONE conference to reduce the travel burden. The SA Conferences would be 1) 4 X SA 2) 2X SA and 2 X Arg. But the competition format is just way too complicated. Each country should be left to its own national championship with sanzar administering The Rugby Championship and an extended Super Rugby finals series (ie no round robin or conferences).