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Would NZ Rugby be stronger if Super Rugby was scrapped and power returned to the provinces?
Ian Smith • September 4th, 2024 12:41 pm
What's best for New Zealand’s game long-term? Don't sacrifice the long-term future for the sake of the short term.
Remember back in the day when we used to promote provincial rugby in this country when it was strong? That catch cry “show your true colours” could be heard accompanied by Cyndi Lauper’s tune, creating a memorable campaign – is that the direction we’re heading in now?
South Africa bailed on Super Rugby, they found Northern Hemisphere alternatives and lost no players in the process and don't look to have suffered, do they? In fact, they are the innovators. They are now the yardstick.
There are rumblings across the ditch, if you class former Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika as a ‘rumble’, that Australia would lose nothing by pulling out as well. In fact, going back to emphasising their own backyard could be the answer to rebuilding their game.
If it were to happen, that leaves us New Zealanders with ourselves, that leaves us with the provincial unions.
We could still run Super Rugby franchises in short, sharp local derby competition, which would have merit because they are the games that we all look forward to anyway.
But let's not forget Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua - where does it leave them?
Would Super Rugby be missed in our provinces? To be fair, it misses them anyway. If only for a rare treat, a morsel, a game every couple of years might be accorded.
Where would that leave the power base in New Zealand Rugby without a serious ‘Super’ comp? Back in the provinces, that’s where. Back to exactly where they want to take the power away.
There's a sense of irony about that and a sense of romance - the game could get stronger, more accessible, it might even have a growth effect on club rugby.
Let's face it, and the Aussies are suggesting it, we might have to go smaller to get bigger again.
