Rugby can be a bit slow at times.
57 years. That is the time it took from first FIFA World Cup held in Uruguay (1930), and introduction of the inaugural Rugby World Cup (Rugby World Cup) held in New Zealand (1987).
When it happened, the game grew to levels never before seen. The other great sporting championship in World Rugby is yet to exist.
In Europe, the Heineken Champions Cup (also known as the European Rugby Champions Cup) consists of six rounds followed by quarter-finals, a Semi Final and the Championship match.
To play in the Heineken Champions Cup, teams qualify from the Pro14 (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy) as well as local club competitions each in England and France. Competing for qualification are:
• Four provincial teams from Ireland (Pro14)
• Two provincial teams each from Scotland, Italy (Pro14)
• Four clubs teams from Wales (Pro14)
• 14 club teams from England playing Premiership Rugby
• 14 club teams from France playing Top14
On the other side of the planet, Super Rugby in 2018 consisted of 21 rounds, followed by quarter-finals, a Semi Final and the Super Rugby Championship. There are 15 provincial teams from Australia (4 teams), New Zealand (5 teams), South Africa (4 teams), Japan (1 team) and Argentina (1 team).
So how do we bring these teams together for a block buster, rugby extravaganza, which for now, we will call the World Super Rugby Championship (WSRC), but could just as easily be called the Heineken World Super Rugby Championship?
First, the year. Ideally this would be held in the lull between the Rugby World Cups. After 2019, the next Rugby World Cup is in France 2023. With 2021 as the inaugural tournament, then held again in 2025, 2029 and so on.
Second, the time of year. A problem with past suggestions for European Rugby champions v Super Rugby champions was player fatigue, they already have a grueling playing and travel schedule.
To address this, the Heineken Champions Cup would be modified in 2021 and form the foundation of what could be the Heineken World Super Rugby Championship. Likewise in 2021, Super Rugby could be condensed from 21 weeks, to 15 weeks with the Minor Premier being awarded the trophy.
With a stroke of the pen, a door in the rugby calendar suddenly opens.
Third, the teams. Super Rugby has 15 provincial teams. The Pro14, 14 provincial teams. Only France and England would arguably be considered to be club based competitions. A provincial system is the logical choice internationally.
For the WSRC, 32 team Provinces or State teams would be granted entry. Here is a conceptual suggestion of 32 teams based on World Cup performances, country population and current number of provincial teams.
Teams are broken up into regions of eight teams which are needed to make the pools work, this is why South Africa has six teams.
Oceania region (eight teams)
• Four teams from New Zealand
• Four teams from Australia
South Africa region (eight teams)
• Six teams from South Africa (combined Pro14 and Super Rugby)
• One team from Japan
• One team from Argentina
European region (16 teams)
• Four teams from England (club-based competition)
• Three teams from France (club-based competition)
• Three teams from Ireland
• Two teams from Wales
• Two teams from Scotland
• Two team from Italy
Fourth, to maintain the integrity of the competition, the WSRC like the Rugby World Cup needs to have players playing for their own country.
It would be up to the World Rugby governing body to enforce Rugby World Cup playing guidelines for the WSRC. Some will disagree with this. But consider this…
If the WSRC takes off, and player payments sky rocket, only a handful of the 32 teams would ever be a genuine chance of taking the title. Think Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona.
In rugby, the cashed up clubs will likely come from England and France. The Pro14 and Super Rugby teams will be the ones to suffer from the player drain and consequential lower standards of provincial competition and long term.
Celtic fans from Ireland and Scotland in particular will get this. Both countries association football teams are excluded from the English Premiere League, which means their best players play for English clubs who Irish and Scottish fans supported by de facto.
Whilst being a big fan our Irish and Scottish brothers and sisters, got to say, sorry you lost out on that one.
This model seeks to do one better than football and strike a balance. The beauty of the Rugby World Cup player distribution rules approach for a short but high profile period, means a lot things.
James Ryan of Ireland (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
The profile and quality of rugby talent around the world is on show on a global stage, twice! The two world events, Rugby World Cup and WSRC would increase players profile if they perform, and offer them multiple seasons to cash up with lucrative contracts.
Players have the opportunity to play for their home regions for several weeks. Provincial unions have a chance each year to showcase their best local home grown talent, fill stadiums and inspire the next generation.
Provincial teams stand to become global brands, backed by locally developed players. This brand opportunity should should not be underestimated by the English and French clubs.
For many existing provinces nothing needs to be done. The highly successful Queensland v New South Wales rugby league State of Origin is interesting, and could, for some provinces, provide something of a template.
That said, countries can make up their own minds around player distribution within their own countries. The only global rule will be rules Rugby World Cup player distribution.
For England and France, the game is centred around club teams. Here the Wales model could be adopted whereby the four Welsh teams represent the four Welsh rugby union Regions of Wales.
The way I see it, England has eight regions, six regions have Premiership Rugby teams. At the moment, this could be rationalised into five Provinces.
• East Midlands – Leicester, Northhampton
• Eastern England – Saracens, Harlequins
• South West England – Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Gloucester
• West Midlands – Wasps, Worcester
• North West England-North East England – Sale, Newcastle
Entry to the WRPC from Premiership Rugby would be awarded to the top club from each English Province. Four in total.
Yes, club teams would lose their international players during the Championship due to Rugby World Cup rules, but they would be more than compensated by being entitled to pick there fellow countrymen from within their region.
Crusaders team mates celebrate after winning the Super Rugby Final match between the Crusaders and the Lions at AMI Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)
For instance, should Bath qualify, Bath would play as Bath in Bath colours, however their playing pool would increase and they would pick players from Bath, Bristol, Exeter and Gloucester.
A mutual deal would need to be struck between Bath, Bistol, Exeter and Gloucester to release players at the end of the season to play for the pools leading team in the WSRC. Likewise Wasps and Worcester would strike a deal.
Leicester and Northhampton, Wasps and Worcester, Sale and Newcastle. It would be in all clubs best interests to strike the deal. The saying ‘cutting of your nose to spite your face’ comes to mind should clubs choose to reduce their player base at Provincial level. They will simply bow out of the WSRC early should they make it.
The same approach could be adopted by France who would field three teams. At the end of the day, the English rugby union and French rugby union would determine what they want to do and what is in their own best interest.
Fifth the format. Four pools of eight teams. Top two teams advance to knockout. First three games are in home region for all teams (except Japan/Argentina’s). Next three games, teams either are hosts or tour to Europe, Oceania or South Africa.
Ideally with eight teams, there would be seven pool games, however with a short six week window mirroring the European Champions Cup schedule, six pool games is logical, for now.
Each year the tournament is held, there would be rotation of teams who tour and team who host. The only exception would be Argentina and Japan, who, due to geographic isolation, would always be touring teams, meaning South African teams would tour less and have more pool home games.
After the pool games, the top eight qualifiers would enter the knockout phase: quarter-final, Semi Final followed by the Championship match.
The host for the finals would rotate each WSRC between Europe and Oceania, noting South Africa has already been advantaged with six teams and extra pool matches.
As a carrot to establish four Provincial teams in England, England would host the first WSRC final. The following WSRC, Super Rugby powerhouse New Zealand would host the final.
As an example, a rotational system might be something along the lines;
2019 European Rugby Champions Cup. Super Rugby. Rugby World Cup – Japan.
2020 European Rugby Champions Cup. Super Rugby.
2021 World Super Rugby Championship – England
2022 European Rugby Champions Cup. Super Rugby.
2023 European Rugby Champions Cup. Super Rugby. Rugby World Cup – France.
2024 European Rugby Champions Cup. Super Rugby.
2025 World Super Rugby Championship – New Zealand
2026 European Rugby Champions Cup. Super Rugby.
2027 European Rugby Champions Cup. Super Rugby. Rugby World Cup.
For Europe, this means they are always hosting the finals of the Rugby World Cup and WSRC every few years.
Well there it is folks. A system that could come to pass. Now it becomes a game of negotiation, finessing and will power. Spread the word to your European mates. Facebook. Twitter. Bumper stickers.
What do you think, could this be up and running in less than 57 years? What are the challenges, and how could the challenges be overcome? Is there a better way to make this work that doesn’t undermine local rugby union provinces? That has been a guiding principal of this article.
Leave your comments below.
And who would win out of our champs, Leinster or Crusaders?
Intotouch
Roar Rookie
Interesting. I like some of your ideas, particularly your creative, original solutions to clubs potential objections. However, clubs and provinces alike are going to be seriously reluctant to cut back on a competition that’s popular and makes money (H-Cup) for one that may or may not be popular, that is extremely expensive to partake in (planes and hotels) and which would be harder to succeed in. It’ll be incredibly expensive to send players around the world and put them up in hotels when as it is they can fly to most cities in Europe, play and return in one day. The fans like me won’t be thrilled because going to away games becomes too expensive. The h-cup already is a hit and is played over a relatively small geographical area. Rugby on tv is smeared across a dozen channels in Europe and so super rugby teams don’t have a big recognition factor. Is there a big interest in the h-cup and European teams in Australia and other super rugby countries? Could the average fan name four? If people show up to watch Saracens will they also show up to watch Bath or Castres? Would a team like Toulouse want to risk the expense flying people to a match there only a few people to show up and watch it, when the prevoius season they’d have played to sell out crowds in most h-cup games? I was shocked by how few people showed up to see Leinster, European champions, play in South Africa against their pro 14 teams. You also haven’t mentioned the time of year this would happen. Right now rugby doesn’t really compete with gaelic football and hurling for spectators in Ireland as it’s mostly played in Winter. Changing when rugby is played in Ireland at least would have a negative impact on attendance figures. In France the rugby stadiums are mostly owned by the city councils and likewise they rent them out to other sports and events at other times of the year. Maybe they could work out a compromise with the time of year but it sounds difficult. To make this a decent competition I can’t see how there would be room for even a truncated h-cup. The European sides also play in domestic leagues. It could happen if the h-cup was scrapped. You say that this competition would *fill the lull between the RWC. To maintain interest in rugby. To fill stadiums for a period. To bring more focus to provincial rugby, and not just international rugby._” My thought reading this was “what lull? What lack of focus on provincial rugby? What empty stadiums?” The h-cup already does all this. It’s exciting. People follow it. Stadiums sell out for even the pool stages. Big stadiums. Your competition is to fill a gap that I don’t think exists. I don’t recall one match this year where there was a poor attendance in the pool stages. It may have happened but mostly people really love this competition. But clubs might do it for a ton more money. So would there be a ton more money? Or would European teams prefer to invest in marketing the h-cup in new countries and improve profits that way? I know what I think they’d choose.
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Thanks Elvis you might be right. That could also work. You talking straight knockout right? If 8 in sh. I would have 2 sa 2 nz 2 oz 2 grr. Argentina have to qualify through sa conference. Only issue with this is doesnt give benefit to local grounds and provide a mich needed boost. For player eligibility. Just need rule in place from things from getting really silly with billionaires buying teams. Thought national ring fence could be a good step. Open to other suggestions though.
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Hey RL. Not necessarily. Will be same number of games, less travel and players will be well rested. Number of players might change, but have a counter move for that. Stay tuned mate, article already penned. For origin, open for debate that one. To be honest I’m just a parochial Queenslander brought up on a diet of origin. Sick of our team being weakened and our talent stripped so other teams can do well. SOO has rules that govern who plays for nsw or qld and some elements of that could be pinched.
Richard Lamb
Guest
AJ. Some interesting ideas mate. Regards your 3 tiered pro game, surely that would require even larger squads than at present? A guy selected for the All Blacks could expect to play the following number of 1st grade games per year. Mitre 10 = 10-15 games Super = 15-20 games ABs = 10- 15 games Best he plays 35 games Worst he plays 50 games Add in the international travel involved and these lads would be shattered. Also, I was wondering... when you mention state of origin type series, what origin are you talking about? Nationality? place of birth? schooling? first played rugby? first pro rugby contract?
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Thats ok Sheek, respect there are different views out there. And was genuine about the nams dark reds. Strong brand. My view. It is expensive to be a sports fan these days. Many fans are priced out. The price of the tickets, drinks, food, jersey, merchandise. A community model for rugby could move away from that with ballymore, dolphins stadium 11k, new southside stadium maybe at runcorn, bond uni or cbus etc.. Dont need massive 35k fans. Just strong connection. AFL is highest attended sport in oz and is embedded and rooted in communities. Suburbs. NRL was once the same but seems to have lost its way. Too many imports. We focus just on city teams, may as well stay SR. Just my view. But SR season length is absurd for players when considering tests a back of year. So bring game back to the people.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Your league reminds me of when I first went into business, all my complex ideas hit reality and had to be revised back to something doable. I like your concept, but slim it down a little. 16 teams, 8 from each hemisphere. South, 2 NZ, 2 SA, 1AUS, 1 Jap, 1 Arg, 1 Pacific. NH - something similar. Run for 4 weeks, the top club teams all playing each other. No silly rules, just the plain old clubs or super sides. Real quality Rugby, top sides playing each other to be the club champion of the world.
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
That is a good question. Pretty keen to see what teams and players end up in Global Rapid Rugby. https://www.rapidrugby.com/rapid-rugby/ What is latest on Hawaii, Panasonic Knights etc?
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Rob9, come on mate. In all seriousness, if a World Super Rugby Championship was held every eight years with 3 local pool games, would you go watch a game like Reds v Toulon, or Reds v Munster, or Reds v Wasps. I think you would. We both would. Would fans in Europe watch Leinster v Reds, Leinster v Chiefs? I think they would. Would fans in ACT do the same. Yes. NSW yes. Melbourne, a World Championship, I think that would also for that very reason. And by the way off topic sorry. Read you article for league in 2050. Completely agree with North v South Brissy rivarly and need for a stadium in the south of Brissy. Where do you think the ideal spot to build it would be?
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
Exactly. Hence the pooling option.
Jock the sock
Guest
What we need is rich entrepreneurs to develop a tribal club competition. The super rugby clubs can then pay the clubs for pilfering their players. Corporate teams bring in corporate types. How about catering to the massses ie the fans.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I’m sorry, Andrew, but there is more chance of me winning Miss World than the English clubs playing as four imaginary ‘provinces.’
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Given the collapse of interest in SR, I reckon the Premiership is going to last longer. I love the hilarious narrative that Northern clubs are ‘greedy’ while those delightful, Corinthian, selfless SR franchises are just in it for the ‘good of the game.’ It’s like listening to a child.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Taylorman came out with this drivel. Leinster’s squad is only marginally weaker than Ireland’s. If you remember the ABs seem to have had a few problems lately let alone the Crusaders
FunBus
Roar Rookie
‘Correct me if I’m wrong’ OK. Toulouse would stick about 60 points on Randwick, and I’d have a bet they’d beat the Waratahs.
Rob9
Roar Guru
By no means am I suggesting that Super Rugby is ‘great’. Quite the opposite. It’s a flawed. As is this ill conceived concept that you believe will turn around Australian rugby’s fortunes. And while there’s not a failed case study to point to that represents something like what you’ve outlined here, there’s an awful amount of logic to suggest why something like it has never been explored while also serving to shut down your justifications. Pretending things like pulling across examples from the world of club soccer where the realities and landscape differs substantially won’t change any of this either.
taylorman
Roar Guru
It would depend on how many Super rugby players are playing for the northern sides, something they now cant do without. I see Boyd has now snagged Mike proctor so theres an annoying trend for the northto pick up NZ coaches who know more about NZ players than they do. Cant wait to see nh clubs crash financially due to their greed.
Jock the sock
Guest
Isn’t this just super rugby with crap teams like the Townsville and Adelaide that have no players
CUW
Roar Rookie
" You’ll say that one is a franchise and the other a club but… both recruit most from a single area, with the Kiwi clubs likely recruiting from smaller population centres and I guess… we’ll thats it? " that my have been the casse when Super teams were put together - but now all teams get players from all over. i think it is a matter of players recognizing where they will have more chances to play more often. for eg: there are lots of Canterbury players in other super teams similarly there are lots of Auckland region players in other teams. as long as a player is comfortable moving from one place to another , it is fine in the current scenario. but when a player is uncomfortable - specially when he has family , then they move back to the origins. the most recent guy - tho not from super rugger is SAMU MANOA the USA 8. He has left Cardiff Blues immediately. i think a similar thing happened with MAA NONU and Toulon - tho no information was given out of his sudden departure to NZ , other than "compassionate grounds". After all there are no laws that say a player from the catchment area for one team cannot be taken by another team. that will be restriction of trade !! The difference between Hurricanes and Toulon is that Hurricanes are a team based in Wellington area and mostly made up of players from Wellington , manawatu , hawkes bay , etc. which happen to be tams on their own right playing in Miter 10. there is no equivalent of Super rugger in rugger anywhere - the closest is the IPL cricket and some of the other T20 franchises. even this is not a 100% comparative - coz IPL is a truly global competition , which super rugger is not.
CJ
Guest
Good idea in theory but probably hard to pull off logistically, financially and politically. Realistically, maybe something less ambitious like a shorter Super Rugby and Northern European comp followed by top two teams (the 4 finalists I guess) from each of those divisions battling it out. I'm sure they would get a decent crowd at Twickers or Eden Park or Ellis Park or wherever to see that. Not sure where the final would be played but they must have sorted this out in football. Getting to see some real young guns on the screen on the left hand side as I type. Would love to see some of these Joes coaches taking a step up (although they not think of it that way).
Andrew Joseph
Roar Rookie
NZ mitre 10 is suffering beause abs dont play there any more. Tv times are late and designed for tv viewers. Price of admission and tickets exhorborent.