Super Rugby trans-Tasman finals appear unlikely as Rugby Australia looks to lock in a July 3 domestic reboot, which is set to include the Western Force.
Rugby Australia’s Return To Play committee has been meeting regularly to lay down plans for a new-look competition, while they have been absorbing knowledge from the NRL, who will resume later this month.
Melbourne Rebels chief executive Baden Stephenson, who represents the Super Rugby clubs on the seven-man committee, said they’d made some real progress.
RA will give Super Rugby clubs a COVID-19 education briefing early next week, with players set to resume training in ten days on Monday May 18, giving them seven weeks ahead of a Friday July 3 start.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Similar to New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa, which was announced this week, it’s set to be a ten-week round-robin competition involving the five Australian franchises, with no crowds.
“It’s progressing really well and at this stage the draft date is the third and fourth of July although there’s a lot to happen before that’s absolutely confirmed,” Stephenson told AAP.
“The conversations and the draft draw include the Western Force but there’s a lot of work still to get done there.
“There’d be more interest in a domestic competition if they are in it and they’ve got a good team and good coach and were preparing for Rapid Rugby so it makes sense if it can all align.”
He said it was unlikely scheduling would allow trans-Tasman Super Rugby finals even if travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand were eased.
“My gut feel is no at this stage,” he said.
“I think both Australia and New Zealand will commit to a domestic competition.
“I think we’d love to do some cross-over finals with New Zealand teams but the draft schedule is just a domestic competition and then international preparation and then we will get into the Test matches.”
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
While the NRL will have less than three weeks of contact training, rugby believes its players – particularly tight forwards – need more lead-in time with the proposed dateline giving them a month.
Stephenson said the international nature of Super Rugby complicated things, while the recent shuffling of seats in the RA administration hadn’t helped.
“We need to be mindful of guys who are doing set-piece and contact – the nature of the game means guys need to build back up to that high intensity,” he said.
“We’re coming off a 12-week break and our Wallaby guys will be coming into a ten-week domestic competition and then into an international phase.
“They will probably be playing non-stop from July until almost December, which is a massive block.
“If they’re not prepared properly and we get a whole heap of injuries at the start it’s counter-intuitive (to rush back).”
Paulo
Roar Rookie
To be honest, probably both mate. Financially, I think what would be great to see is big turn outs at any live games, that's really the best way to show financial opportunity to start with (and a great middle finger to the East Coast establishment). On the field, I agree with you that winning consistently is probably a step too far at this stage. But if they can put in performances that show their potential, and maybe have a few things go their way and jag a win or two, then that would certainly put pay to the neigh-Sayers.
piru
Roar Rookie
They need to show they can still compete with the other SR teams so that they are included in any new proposals in a hypothetical post SR world. Compete how? Financially or on the field? I doubt very much we'll be causing too many upsets in the current situation, for the simple reason that we've been relegated to a lower tier of competition for the last 3 years. We're not going to magically suddenly be at the same level we were.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
People just want to get upset. The same people complaining now would complain if they weren’t. I’ve read the hilarious suggestion from Force fans that they don’t need RA this year. It’s laughable. RA doesn’t need the Force, but 5 teams to play games would be better than 4 with international travel uncertain. With international travel uncertain the Force absolutely need RA and the 4 franchises because they can’t play anybody else. They can’t help that and their mooted inclusions indicates they, the franchise think it suits their interests.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Would it be better they didn’t include the Force? Seems like that would be worse. If SR is going to be phased out, seems like the Force should do everything to remain relevant. They need to show they can still compete with the other SR teams so that they are included in any new proposals in a hypothetical post SR world.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Oh Lord TWAS, please don’t tempt them. It’s bad enough that RL has to deal with that level of idiocy and ignorance.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actually no. It doesn’t suggest that at all. It reports a consulting group has recommended it. What I am interested to know, is who has paid them to produce this? What has been reported of their report, some makes real sense, but other is based on wild assumptions. Like they say the Prem system from the UK is best for Aus, ignore it developed from clubs that were financially capable in 1995, which we don’t have, and doesn’t consider if we have a fan base to support more professional teams.
Johan
Guest
There is a piece in the SMH Today suggesting that the super comp will be axed. Doubt many Australians will give two hoots to be fair.Probably for the best to be honest. Good riddance to bad rubbish. This article in the roar above suggests that the Western Force will be involved again. Although I am not from WA and don’t hugely care, the Force really are being treated with utter disdain- used when needed and then discarded like an old pair of dirty undies!
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
probably be in closed stadiums like us in NZ but great to hear
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Really good news for players and fans. Hopefully there will be some free-to-air coverage?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Hope we get an anti-vax story then! Can’t have the NRL beating us on everything!