New Zealand invites Australia to join competition with 'eight to 10 teams' in 2021
New Zealand Rugby has invited Australia to submit expressions of interest to join a trans-Tasman competition in 2021 featuring “eight to 10 teams”, which it hopes will include a Pacific Islands side.
NZRU chief executive Mark Robinson and his board have approved a number of recommendations from the three-month Aratipu review and outlined their vision for 2021.
New Zealand Rugby has outlined its vision for 2021. Credit:Getty
The announcement all but spells the end of New Zealand’s 25-year-old association with SANZAAR and puts the ball in Australia’s court, with NZRU saying it hopes the make-up of the competition can be finalised by the end of next month.
Robinson said New Zealand’s five Super Rugby teams - the Crusaders, Chiefs, Blues, Hurricanes and Highlanders - would all be there, meaning as few as two Australian sides would be invited should a Pacific Islands team get the green light in an eight-team competition.
On the flip side, five Australian teams could be present if NZRU agreed to allow that many but the critical criteria would be the competitiveness of the teams, given Australia's poor Super Rugby record in recent times.
"Coming on the back of COVID-19 and its impact on future competitions, the NZR board has committed to establishing a new professional team competition in 2021," Robinson said in a statement. "We have also been heartened by the success of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
"The focus is now on confirming the licences for New Zealand's five current Super Rugby clubs and that work is now under way.
"As well, there is a huge desire to have a Pasifika team involved, which we think will be massive for the competition, popular with fans and is a priority for us.
"We will also be working with Rugby Australia to seek expressions of interest from their current Super clubs and other interested parties to join the competition and that work will begin in earnest. We are excited and interested to see what our Australian neighbours will bring to this competition."
Last week RA chairman Hamish McLennan described the current dynamic with the Kiwis as a bit “master-servant”. The latest news, which suggests Australia will need to apply for teams to be involved, appears to back that impression.
RA responded by acknowledging changes needed to be made but remained non-committal about what it believes is an ideal number of teams.
“Rugby Australia acknowledges New Zealand Rugby’s preferred position following their announcement today regarding a potential future provincial competition from 2021 and look forward to working constructively with New Zealand Rugby in the coming weeks,” a statement read.
“Rugby Australia will also continue its discussions with stakeholders in Australia and is in constant consultation with our valued SANZAAR joint-venture partners.
“Due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rugby Australia recognises that there is a need to review the sustainability and practicality of the current Super Rugby competition and consider alternative models that are in the best interests of Australian Rugby from 2021 and beyond.”
Australia may ditch New Zealand and decide to create its own domestic product from next year onwards but only if broadcasters see value in it.
The latest news leaves South Africa in the dark, as well as Argentina's Jaguares.