NZ Rugby is reportedly considering replacing both Super Rugby Pacific and the NPC with an eight-to-10-team national competition from 2028.
The Post reports the proposal is one of three options in a confidential NZ Rugby document circulated to stakeholders before Thursday’s rugby summit in Wellington.
Under the plan, provincial unions would run the teams, with each receiving between NZ$8-million (R74.9-million) and NZ$10-million (R93.7-million) for player payments. Rugby below the new competition would effectively become amateur.
The proposal would represent a major restructure of the New Zealand game and could see the country move away from its current partnership with Rugby Australia in Super Rugby Pacific.
ICYMI: NZ Rugby faces financial black hole
The Post reports the other options are expanding Super Rugby Pacific by up to two teams, or retaining Super Rugby and the NPC while combining the five existing New Zealand Super Rugby clubs with their provincial unions in Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago.
The expansion option would require Rugby Australia’s agreement, while the five-city model is designed to reduce costs and duplication.
PUTT: All Blacks should play overseas
All three remain indicative proposals and will be discussed at Thursday’s summit. NZ Rugby is reportedly targeting a final recommendation for its board in December, with projected losses of NZ$66-million (R618.7-million) between 2027 and 2031 adding urgency to the process.
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post Kiwis to discuss dumping Super Rugby appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
NZ Rugby is reportedly considering replacing both Super Rugby Pacific and the NPC with an eight-to-10-team national competition from 2028.
The post Kiwis to discuss dumping Super Rugby appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
