Super Rugby Pacific will continue as a united front until at least 2030 after Rugby Australia and its New Zealand counterpart resolved a financial dispute that threatened to tear the competition apart.
As part of the new agreement that secures its future, Super Rugby Pacific has unveiled plans to implement a nine-person board that will explore the possibility of creating a unified women’s competition similar to the men’s.
RA chair Hamish McLennan previously threatened to transplant the five Australian Super Rugby teams into a breakaway men’s domestic league from 2024 unless RA received a greater share of broadcast revenue.
Since non-Pacific teams exited the competition with the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand Rugby has banked close to $90 million a year from its broadcast deal with Sky Sport, roughly three times what RA collects and significantly more than when participating countries split revenue equally pre-pandemic.
Talks between Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby culminated in a joint press conference in Sydney on Friday, when the bodies announced they had buried the hatchet and put pen to paper on a partnership spanning from 2024 to 2030.
The bodies have come to an agreement regarding broadcast revenue for the final three years of the current deals but the exact distribution of monies has not been disclosed.
“Today marks the dawn of a new era of Super Rugby within our region,” RA CEO Andy Marinos said.
“Securing this long-term partnership provides stability and continuity that the competition and Super Rugby clubs need to enable rugby to grow in stature and importance across the region.”
The newly-announced board will include an independent chair, four independent directors, and one representative each from NZR, RA, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) and Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA).
Plans to unite Australia’s Super W in Australia and Super Rugby Aupiki in New Zealand come only weeks after the women’s Rugby World Cup concluded in Auckland.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The final, a win for New Zealand over England, drew the biggest crowd in the history of women’s international rugby.
“We saw the quality of women’s rugby throughout the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand,” NZR CEO Mark Robinson said.
“While it is not a case of copy and paste with the men’s structure in Super Rugby Pacific, we believe there are enormous opportunities to build a world-class cross border professional women’s club competition in the Pacific region.”
Eddie’s slap for Sir Clive
Eddie Jones has hit back at “sad” critic Sir Clive Woodward and insists he will leave England in a good shape when he eventually departs.
Coach Jones is under pressure after he watched his England side conclude a dismal autumn series with Saturday’s 27-13 loss to South Africa, who were without their European-based players but still inflicted a sixth defeat of 2022 on the hosts at Twickenham.
It completed England’s worst year since 2008 and the Rugby Football Union is now conducting a review, which will inevitably decide if Australian Jones is to continue until next year’s World Cup as planned or will leave his post 12 months earlier.
RFU chief Bill Sweeney admitted “results are not where we expect them to be” and Woodward, who masterminded England’s solitary World Cup win 19 years ago, was yet again fierce in his criticism of his old rival Jones after the match.
Woodward labelled rugby in England as a shambles and insisted the weekend defeat was “one of the most depressing games I’ve seen at HQ”.
Jones, who has already agreed to step down after the 2023 World Cup in France, told Men’s Health UK: “I feel sad for him (Woodward). If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn’t a lot to do.”
The pair’s rivalry stretches back a long way, with Woodward having coached England to their World Cup final win in 2003 over Australia, then led by Jones, after a tournament in which they sniped at each other.
“I’m 62 now and in pure coaching terms I am coaching better than I ever have. Results aren’t always perfect, but I’m happy with how I have been coaching,” Jones said.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“After this, I want to do something really meaningful. I’ve enjoyed England a lot, it was a bit of a rescue job at the start, now rebuilding, and I am confident I will leave things in good shape.”
England were booed off at Twickenham after defeat to the Springboks, which meant their record for 2022 finished at five wins, one draw and six losses.
Scotland, Ireland, France, Australia, Argentina and South Africa have all beaten the World Cup runners-up during the past 12 months but Jones believes they can still be a force at next year’s tournament.
Currently the fifth favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, England will avoid the front-runners until the semi-final stage, with one of Australia, Wales or Fiji a probable last-eight opponent in France.
“If this was the Cheltenham Gold Cup, there’s a pack of four out front – France, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand – and we are fifth, right behind them, right on the rails,” Jones said.
“A good position, provided we keep improving.
“Australia are there or thereabouts with us. It’s going to be the closest World Cup ever. France and Ireland are the in-form teams right now, but things will change.”
Gatland linked to Jones’ job
Kiwi Warren Gatland has reportedly emerged as the top contender for the England job if the Rugby Football Union decides to sack Eddie Jones ahead of the World Cup.
Jones is facing increasing pressure after his team’s end-of-year series where they won once in four games – against Japan. They did draw with the All Blacks but lost to Argentina and South Africa.
The Daily Mail has reported that Gatland – who previously distanced himself from England due to a long association with Wales is “understood to be open to taking charge of England on a caretaker basis if Eddie Jones is sacked”.
Wallaby foe wins award
France winger Damian Penaud has been voted the Player of the Series for the 2022 Autumn Nations Series after a stunning campaign for Les Bleus including the late try that won the game against the Wallabies in Paris.
The 26-year-old has played a central role in France’s unbeaten 2022 and receives the award ahead of New Zealand’s Ardie Savea and Italy sensation Ange Capuozzo.
The shortlist was compiled by a panel of journalists from each nation and pundits from across the home nations helped whittle the list down to three final candidates before the public plumped for Penaud.
The French speedster enjoyed yet another stellar Autumn Nations Series campaign after his sensational performances last year.
France won all three matches for the second consecutive year, taking their winning streak to 13, and Penaud was at his very best for Fabien Galthié’s side.
With his team trailing late on against Australia, Penaud burst through the attempts of Tom Wright and Jock Campbell o score a decisive match-winner in Les Bleus’ opening 30-29 win over the Wallabies, before starting the 30-26 win over South Africa in Round 2.
Damian Penaud #14 of Team France celebrates the victory during the Autumn Tour match between France and Australia at Stade de France on November 05, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
He then entered the top 10 all-time French try scorers list after bagging a double against Japan in a 35-17 win to round off France’s Autumn Nations Series in style.
With 21 tries in just 37 Tests, Penaud now sits just 17 tries behind all-time top scorer Serge Blanco, who scored 38 tries in 93 Tests.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Well that is great for the URC. It has not worked for Rugby Australia. Maybe we are talking about the definition of "independent". In the NRL and RA it seems to mean no rugby/RL affiliations. Does not affect the AFL so much, everyone is affiliated one way or the other. I do agree that much of the history of the amateur days is littered with organisation climbers who were dead weight at the top. However still delivered the most significant transformation in rugby, Australia from a fun opponent to world power from 1974 to 2001. Professionalism lifted most countries from 1995 as we started into decline.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
For the URC the unions made choices based on the national side. And TV deals were done as part of the test matches. The commercial side was not really chased. For the URC once they had an independent board TV deals went up. If you look at NZ the NZRU made a massive deal with Sky that other companies couldn't bid that high but if SRP was sold by itself Sparks and others could outdid sky as a much small bid needed to secure the rights. Once the board has union people on it nothing gets done and they don't see the reason to change. Because the URC board want to do things Unions now have to explain why they don't want to do it and convince the other Unions why rather than just saying no.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I don't know enough about that to comment. Any situation that you describe only indicates inability to set something up correctly in the first place, which still discriminates against establishing the right governance structure, and electing the right directors. How can a 3 union or 4 union partnership be unable to set up a governance structure including them as decision makers. Worst case 4 representatives of four unions and an independent chair. Think SANZAAR.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Laumape may have left because he may have felt disrespected; I certainly sympathise with that. He should have made the RWC 2019 squad. But a NZ player can certainly boost their asking price overseas by adding AB caps to their name. The NZ selection policies are in the crosshairs. These sabbaticals are not part of the wage cap. They are a seperate deal and yet they are a clause as well. If a lesser player in NZ went to the NZR and asked for a sabbatical, technically NZR would be able to set them up on an identical deal. Whether they would want to is another matter. In some ways, NZ's economic constraints may help NZ Rugby by removing the options available.
Professor Pee
Guest
I’ve never known a business model that relies on giving the actual product away for free to be sustainable.
jeznez
Roar Guru
George! You've got yet another new name. I love that the Drua and Pasifika sides are in now. If Oz withdrew I'm sure they'd still exist. Would expect that NZR would use the 8m they are paying Oz to instead set up another team, maybe spend a little more and add two and have a very strong competition. Even better if there was individual Tonga and Samoa representation. That would be a brilliant competition. I'd hope that the PacificAus Sports Fund continued to help support the Island teams.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I get that, but if certain players are getting the mega deals and other players just slightly worse are taking home half the money of the mega deals they don’t stick around as they see their pay package much smaller than it should be and the NZRU disrespecting them. It seems to be why Laumape left and why nearly ABs leave because without the Sabaticals and test apperances their wages aren’t very big. It saves NZRU on a few people but it inflates all wages which they then can’t pay. I know SR/NZRU has wage caps, but you can’t pay some players outside the wage cap, and tell others you can’t increase their wage because of there is no room in the cap for it.
KnockOn
Guest
You need to let the hate go Jez. Disbanding Super Rugby means cutting Fiji and Pasifika adrift. We may be low on funds but have been raiding their talent pool for our benefit for close to 30 years (just rugby, not even including NRL). As much as you don’t care, these teams mean a helluva lot to those nations and the right thing to do is for us to ensure their survival. Put your prejudices aside and embrace the just thing to do.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yes, am taking the evidence from the one season in the last 26 years that we tried something different and got a positive result. We are 40m in debt, 8 more years of the same terrifies me. All the things you keep saying will happen if we leave Super - go broke, become tier 2, lose our players to NH, die…. They look well on track with the Super model.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
In NZ, the sabbatical is written into the contract. The terms of it are agreed upon. The player goes overseas on a sabbatical and he is not eligible to play for his Kiwi side; he knows that. His contract remains but the player is being topped up by overseas clubs' money. With that player gone, the squad digs into its depths and gives another player a chance. NZ players are being topped up by overseas clubs but only certain players get that deal. And making the big jump down here is slightly more difficult; you can't just pack up in your car and head south or east or west across common borders.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No I saw that bit. It just made no difference to the fact NRL and SR are extremely different as far as the Aus/NZ relationship is concerned. NZ does not have a pro League comp. Had no intension to put you down at all.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
It is debatable if its good money management as they still have to pay alot of money to the player for the other three years plus pay the replacement while they are gone. Also not great for the SR team involved. RA and NZRU could make better use of their resources if they followed Scotland, Italy, Wales or SA model, for me Scotland is the best one. They have a cap which they will not go over and they are direct with the players that they will not pay above it. There is no exception and if players want more they go overseas. You do get the Russell saga where they may have bent the rules by employing the dad but they learned their lesson. When any Scottish play overseas comes up for renewal SRU will always tell the player what they will be paid if they want to come home. Paying players 4 years wages in 3 years which is what the sabbatical is, results in players nolonger getting the Sabbatical, getting a bigger cut and sometimes even less over the 4 years then they got in their previous contract over 3 from the NZRU, when the renewal offered is 50% few players are left with a difficult decision and just move. If they hadn't got the big jump when they were 25 the only got a 10% cut at 29 the choice is much harder the wives and kids are more settled. Better to spend the money on bringing back the 33/34 year old than keep the 25/26 year old and then lose them when they are 29 and not come back. If players believe they are getting better training in NZ they will stay as they will be afraid they wont get picked as others will pass them.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
In GAA in Ireland at county level they have the big clubs and then regional represented sides from the small clubs that play at lower levels but have a good play for them. Scotland's Super 6 kind of runs on the same model. I have heard people say that the league were the Brumbies are is a match for the HC and SS but not sure about the other states. Could they not play it as a home and away cup knockout at the end of the leagues with say the top two from the strong leagues and each other state gets a team. The State teams could play a mini league or something in prepare for the cup. I agree it can be done but when Oz covers the area of the 6Ns what works here is alot more expensive in Oz.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Jez the big problem is you are taking q one off season which happened under the weirdest of circumstances ever. I am 100% with you that I wanted aus to go it alone but I was also 100% sure that they wouldn't or couldn't.
AndyS
Guest
Even semi-pro would be better than all the nothing they have now, and an improvement on the pro-am they ran for a while.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
The sabbaticals, BNHF, are to help NZ avoid playing these players a great deal more. Good money management right there! ????
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
NZ can default to the NPC.
jeznez
Roar Guru
No mate. I gave you one example of a match since the numbers aren’t published in aggregate. Wasn’t going to post twenty links. You can Google any comparable weekend you like on that site and you’ll see that 2021 rated higher than 2022. I’ve looked at more than one weekend Jacko. Viewers in Oz peaked for the 2021 Super AU final, then decreased for both Super TT and Super Rugby Pacific.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
You clearly missed my part about the quotas deliberately so you could put me down. Hope that lifted you and made you feel better.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Could that be that their players now play in a better quality comp Brenden? How strong is the Argentine club scene?