NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson wants SANZAAR to revert to a Super Rugby format in which every team plays every other during the regular season.
After “robust discussions” in London, the competition’s ruling body will this week unveil the new model for the convoluted competition, which currently features four conferences from two Australasian and South African groups.
One of Australia’s five franchises and two of South Africa’s six are tipped to be cut from the 2018 tournament.
But regardless of how many teams will be involved beyond this year, Gibson hopes SANZAAR restores the format to the relatively simple “play everyone once” format.
“I think obviously the administrators have got a big job to play in terms of getting the competition right,” he said.
“And I think a competition where we can play every team seems to be the format that’s worked best in the past.
“How that looks, that’s up to them.
“But certainly a competition structure that’s based on that would be a good one.”
As the four national unions from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina thrash out a solution, Gibson says the Waratahs, while seemingly safe from the chop, remain as much in the dark as every other franchise.
“We’re just waiting like everyone else,” he said.
“Obviously it’ll go through the national union and I’m sure we’ll be informed in due course.”
While the Waratahs and Queensland Reds can feel relatively comfortable, the Western Force, Melbourne Rebels and Canberra-based Brumbies are all on tenterhooks.
An announcement about the new format – which apparently has been decided on – is not expected before Wednesday at the earliest, with the four unions to consult stakeholders and broadcasters before revealing their master plan.
Katipo
Guest
Another way to say that is, the running of day-to-day professional rugby tournaments in each nation should be handed back to the national Unions. Sanzaar should evolve in to a business entity that negotiates broadcast revenue for the Unions and administers a short champion of champions tournament and the RC.
Katipo
Guest
The tournament format should be simple and there are many ways to do that. Here is another example - Each country runs its own national championship (NRC, Currie Cup, ITM, Top League and whatever Argentina has) running from March April to June / July with international players involved. Each Union is responsible for their own tournament and the format has nothing to do with Sanzaar. Therefore ARU and NZRU could agree a Trans Tasman tournament if they wanted too. Whatever they decide, they can sell the TV rights to their local broadcaster and then sell the international rights to Sanzaar (so they get paid up front) to bundle in to a collective TV / online broadcast package that they sell globally. In August and September Sanzaar run a short Champion of Champions knock out tournament issuing invitations to the Sanzaar unions to enter their best teams. The unions decide how they want to do that (champion clubs, states, franchises, whatever. It's up to each union). Sanzaar owns the broadcast rights to that tournament. The unions get a share. Simple. Better.
Redsfan1
Guest
Gibson has failed totally as a coach. Not sure why his opinion us worth printing?
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I agree with Gibbo that each team should play each other twice and then we have an 8 team finals comp
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Agree Blinky, except for one thing. NSW (and the name Warstahs) once represented the whole nation. It probably wont happen with the ARU office residing in Tahland. But it is not just about rugby performance. Its about market. The Brumbies got 8k to a finals appearsnce recently. That shows a lack of market.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Even though I'm a Tahs fan, I can't work out why the Tahs should feel relatively comfortable as one of the teams that won't be culled. Let's face it, with the resources at our disposal we should be well ahead of the other 4 OZ franchises. So the other teams are doing equally well with less and maybe WE deserve to get the chop.
Old Bugger
Guest
Cheers. The key is making the competition an improved reflection of fairness. If the conferences were to remain then why not, pick the top team from each conference but, place them in their final series position in accordance with, their total points accumulated, compared to other teams. The challenge now, is to not only win the conference but, to win it decisively and ensure that the team finishes at the top end overall, to ensure a home qf. NZ sides are not only striving to win the conference, they're also playing to win games decisively and score BPs so they finish, with a good table tally, to make the finals series. Atm, there is no incentive to win decisively in the other conferences - just to win the top spot and receive, a home qf.
puff
Guest
Old B, in theory you are correct but such endeavours may not be beneficial for struggling OZ clubs. At this juncture the strength of SH rugby is in NZ which could be a financial disaster for the ARU using your format. The only concurrence from the SANZAA’’s London conferences to date, is NZ appears to be the catalyst to any commercial T/V deal. But, NZ don’t appear excited about the level of travel, or each conference guaranteed a home final regardless of points amassed. Although like you, it is not the competition I once enjoyed.
ajg
Guest
Totally agree. It is farcical at the moment that some teams go a whole year without playing any of the best sides (those in NZ). The final last year really showed this when the Lions and Sharks were completely dismantled by the Hurricanes
bullpit
Guest
No point asking Gibson for an opinion on the super rugby format for the future when his own job his on the line. He needs to get the tah's focused. They have been disgraceful to date.
Old Bugger
Guest
I think most folks, would support a fairer competition to determine which side, makes the finals series. And, I think in most folks eyes, the current format does not, provide this fairness. Unfortunately, all it seems to provide, is a leg-up for mediocrity hence I think most folks, would eagerly swap mediocrity, for competency.