Sanzaar strategic review considers further Super Rugby expansion

The prospect of a return to Super Rugby expansion has emerged following details of a major strategic review being undertaken by Sanzaar, the umbrella body for the national unions in Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, that also outlines new events and reforms for the Rugby Championship.

Fairfax Media has reported viewig a high-level paper, entitled Sanzaar 2030 Strategy, that represents the first review of its kind in the 23-year history of the Super Rugby club competition.

Super Rugby expanded from 15 to 18 teams in 2016 following the addition of Argentina’s Jaguares and Japan’s Sunwolves, as well as the return of the Kings in South Africa. However, Sanzaar faced criticism over falling revenues and fan interest following its decision to expand leading to the 2018 Super Rugby season commencing with a three-conference, 15-team format which meant the removal of the Kings and fellow South African franchise the Cheetahs, along with Australia’s Western Force.

Fairfax said the new strategy paper commits to the current Super Rugby model until 2020 but offers five options for the future, covering contraction, retention and three different options for expansion. The headline proposal is a 20-team, four-conference format made up of “new teams or teams from an existing competition”.

Fairfax said that while no regions or countries are singled out in the paper, North America would be the obvious target. World Rugby last month announced that Dan Payne had been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Rugby Americas governing body.

Rugby Americas comprises representatives of Rugby Americas North and Sudamérica Rugby. The body is driving the growth of elite cross-regional competitions and also organises development initiatives to ensure North and South America achieve optimal outcomes by working together.

Other Super Rugby expansion concepts include retaining the three-conference model by expanding by three teams at a time, or splitting into Atlantic and Pacific conferences. Remaining at a 15-team competition has also been put forward, along with the possibility of further contraction.

Meanwhile, the strategy paper has also outlined the prospect of a southern hemisphere version of the British & Irish Lions and an All-Stars match that could be played ahead of the Super Rugby final, with teams to be voted on by fans.

For the national team Rugby Championship, from 2021 the joint venture will assess rotating home double-header matches against a single nation. Finally, a women’s competition has also been proposed.

The paper states “in time, any competition could become a Sanzaar competition and be wrapped into the commercial arrangements of Sanzaar.” 

Image: The Sunwolves, who joined Super Rugby in 2016, in action at the Singapore Sports Hub.

26th April 2018 - ALL BLACKS TO PLAY IN CHRISTCHURCH IN 2018

9th April 2018 - RUGBY AUSTRALIA IMPACTED BY WESTERN FORCE AXEING AND DECLINING TEST CROWDS

3rd March 2018 - LIONS TOUR HELPS DELIVER 2017 PROFIT FOR NEW ZEALAND RUGBY 

1st March 2018 - WESTERN FORCE APPOINTS EXPERIENCED SPORTS EXECUTIVE BRAD PAATSCH

12th February 2018 - COMMUNITY-BUILDING AT THE HEART OF NEW GRASSROOTS RUGBYROOS INITIATIVE 

16th January 2018 - HISTORY MAKING RAELENE CASTLE LOOKS FOR STABILITY IN NEW RUGBY AUSTRALIA ROLE 

12th December 2017 - RUGBY AUSTRALIA REVEALS SIGNIFICANT RISE IN SCHOOL PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

8th December 2017 - WESTERN FORCE RUGBY UNION BRAND TO RETURN IN 2018 

15th November 2017 - RUGBY AUSTRALIA MADE DECISION TO AXE WESTERN FORCE MONTHS BEFORE FINANCES EXAMINED

28th October 2017 - AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION REBRANDS AS RUGBY AUSTRALIA 

18th April 2017 - RUGBY FAILS TO DRAW CROWDS TO SINGAPORE NATIONAL STADIUM 

23rd May 2016 - SUPER RUGBY SET FOR 2018 COMPETITION OVERHAUL

27th April 2016 - DEBUTANT SUNWOLVES MAKING PROGRESS IN EXPANDED SUPER RUGBY SEASON

11th March 2016 - SINGAPORE NATIONAL STADIUM PREPARES FOR SUPER RUGBY DEBUT

20th February 2016 - SUPER RUGBY LOOKS FORWARD TO EXPANDED NEW SEASON

24th November 2015 - NEW SANZAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT

Asking a small favour

We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.