I do not know whether Rugby Australia CEO, Hamish McLennan, is serious about Australia going it alone in Super Rugby, but after some consideration, I like the idea.
Australia’s unique advantage which could make an Australian competition successful is that we are a migrant nation with large populations of residents who were born in major rugby union-playing countries.
There are just shy of a million English-born Australians, nearly 560,000 New Zealanders, 200,000 South Africans, with significant populations also from Japan, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.
I believe that each of these populations would support a Super Rugby team of high-quality expatriate players and coaches in Australia.
Kiwis in Australia would lap up a team that might be named “OzKiwis” dishing it out to the five Aussie sides and their international rivals, as would the expatriate fans from all the other teams.
The competition could be fleshed out with a Pacific and a Japanese team, for a 10-team round robin home-and-away competition and the top four teams going to semi-finals and finals.
Here’s why this competition structure would be far superior to Super Rugby Pacific.
– The Australian teams would get more games against tier 1 international teams than they do in Super Rugby Pacific. The English style of play is something that our Super Rugby franchises have never had an opportunity to play against and they no longer get to test themselves against the might of the South Africans.
– The competition would not only draw the expatriate crowds and viewers at home, but also interest from the massive rugby broadcast market across England, South Africa, Japan, New Zealand and further.
Not only could this be a very large source of revenue, but a perfect promotion of Australian rugby in the lead-up to the Lions Tour in 2025 and the World Cups in 2027 and 2029.
– All games except for home games in Japan and in the Pacific would be played in Australia, with the money to stay here and develop our game. If it grows big enough, we may even be able to offer the salaries that would attract foreign-based players back to Australian rugby.
– There would be enough games to play a significant number away from the five capital cities where our teams are currently based, to develop the game in regional Australia and in non-rugby states and territories, like South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
– Our ties with Japan, an emerging partner in player sharing arrangements and the Pacific, a major source of players in Australia, would be strengthened.
– The teams would participate entirely on Rugby Australia’s terms, so there would be no more bickering with foreign unions over Super Rugby.
– The time zones the games would be played in would be perfect for Australian audiences.
There is no doubt a lot of work that would need to happen to determine whether an Aussie competition featuring more expat teams would be viable, but I think it is definitely an option for Rugby Australia to consider.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah for that you need money Rhys. Aus is in massive dept and using projected income from the WC and Lions tour to pay that dept. No team that doesnt play the NZ sides will be a hit for me as I have my own team already and aint looking to replace them. Would I watch it? Possibably but I would not have stan if the NZ sides wernt in the comp so I wouldnt be keeping Stan for Aus only rugby.
Micko
Roar Rookie
NZ franchises winning SR wouldn't an issue if a proper competition was taking place. With the protectionism in place, the integrity of the competition is compromised. If you have a select group of franchises hoarding playing talent based on geography, nationality etc, then what's the point? Super Rugby wore thin for me in the mid 2000's.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Lol, you'd watch it. We could bring in some decent ex All Black marquee players in the Japanese off season so that they could earn Yen as well as $A. Laumape? Millner Skudder? Squires perhaps? Team them up with one of the many good Kiwi coaches out there who aren't coaching Super Rugby and I reckon the team would be a hit
Jacko
Roar Rookie
As an Expat I dont want to support an Aus team I want to see my team play. If STAN goes local like the RA is considering then count me out.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Australian teams not winning has nothing to do with the suggestion, it is about Australia doing the best it can for itself commercially, while keeping a highly competitive competition.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Why would Stan not run New Zealand rugby? The expat Super Rugby team in Australia would be an additional team for all Kiwis to watch, on top of all the regular teams in New Zealand.
Wigeye
Guest
Like getting our help when not wanting our help :laughing: . Theres nothing to offer
Wigeye
Guest
Well produce the goods on the field :shocked:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
What would be funny is if the FORCE bought a lot of OS players and won the comp. Would the other 4 then leave and form their own comp Hehe.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Rhys I believe that what the expat market in Aus does is buy STAN and before that FOX. Im an expat NZer as you well know and I will drop STAN as quick as I can if they dont show NZ rugby. I would not keep STAN to watch Aus domestic rugby only. I dont know Stans numbers but SKY has 700,000 subscribers just for the rugby. Thats a lot more money coming in than they hand over to NZR
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Rhys what happens if Aus doesnt win? Do they then pull out of that comp too?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Hows your rugby knowlege Micko? I finished top 20 in the tipping. Where did you finish? Be very careful I have a few versions of myself stalking some versions of you.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
NZR aint losing money Micko. Do some research
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
See above re the actual pay rates in English Premiership Rugby.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Playing English Premiership Rugby. The average salary there is about 120,000 pounds (A$212,000), according to this link. https://rugbydome.com/how-much-do-england-rugby-players-earn/ The Super Rugby average salary is around A$225,000 according to this story, so we are competitive, see this link. https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/01/10/rugby-australia-announces-major-pay-increase-super-rugby-players/#:~:text=The%20pay%20increase%20means%20contracts%20will%20average%20out,cent%20discount%20built%20in%20to%20reward%20long-serving%20players. From what I can see the perception of huge pay in England may come from the fact that marquee player gets £457,409 (A$811,580), which is outside the salary cap. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/breaking-the-2020-21-premiership-salary-cap-report-by-numbers/ When you consider the cost of living here the average salary would be pretty good for a good quality English club player who wanted a couple of years sabbatical. Of course the international players would command a lot more and arrangements would need to be worked out to allow them to be paid outside the salary cap, like Rugby Australia does with the Wallabies, but as I said before I reckon the latent market is there to pay for it.
Joshua Butler
Guest
How do you know if there is genuinely no interest in rugby in the non-SR states or is it because of the lack of opportunities to grow the game in these areas? For example, would South Australia have be interested, if they had the same opportunity to grow the game as WA/Vic? Can you really know if it's truly a lack of interest in itself, or because of the lack of opportunities in those areas?
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Then the TV revenues from Stan and Nine need to be sky high to afford the salaries...rather than at the moment, RA wanting a piece of NZs pie....with SKY TV
P2R2
Roar Rookie
the Drua and Pasifika are contracted to NZR.....you can bet your aussie dollar they won't be released to play ....
P2R2
Roar Rookie
boosting KIWI egos and deflating AUSSIE egos - a win win
P2R2
Roar Rookie
yes