‘Rugby is about tribalism and traditionalism’: Kirwan’s vision for NZR future

Sport Nation • September 23rd, 2026 1:33 pm

All Black great John Kirwan | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan has called for a major change of New Zealand’s domestic rugby competition, saying it needs to reconnect with the regional rivalries and traditional teams that have long shaped the game.

He believes the current franchise model has lost some of the identity and tribalism that once made rugby so compelling.

Kirwan wants an eight-team trans-Tasman competition that would include New South Wales clubs such as Randwick and Manly brought in.

“We need to have eight sides, four from Aussie, bring Randwick, bring Manly back in, and we just need to rebuild it,” he told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.

“The franchise system has worked for us for the first 20-odd years, but rugby is about tribalism and traditionalism.”

Tony Johnson hopes NZR can hold onto rugby's great traditions following review | Sport Nation Mornings

He also wants to see rivalries such as the Battle of the Bridge and Battle of the Bay restored, and to match the anticipation created within the NRL.

“The NRL, like everyone says, ‘oh, JK I’m sick of you talking about the NRL,’ but they are moving fast, their crowds are up, they've got a competition that people care about.”

Kirwan also said a wider tournament featuring teams from Japan, the United States and South Africa could also be an option, with the season ending in a play-off series.

“We've already isolated ourselves by getting rid of South Africa. Who have we got? We've got the Aussies and that's it. So why don't we just go back?”

He also claimed South Africans aren't satisfied with their domestic competition.

Kirwan urged New Zealand Rugby should act quickly rather than wait for international administrators to lead the way.

“But we need to do something drastic and we need to make some decisions and we need to not worry about World Rugby because they move too slow.”

Listen to the full interview below: