Super Rugby want more attractive rugby in newly downsized competition
Thursday 21 September 2017 15:12, UK
Organisers of Super Rugby on Thursday urged under-performing Australian and South African teams to play "more attractive" rugby and called Japan's Sunwolves "disappointing" as they unveiled next year's schedule for the newly downsized competition.
SANZAAR released the 2018 season draw with 15 teams, reduced from this year's 18 following the removal of Australia's Force and two South African sides, the Cheetahs and Southern Kings who have joined the newly formed PRO14 competition.
Japan's Sunwolves were also urged to improve on their performances in their first two seasons. They will fill the vacancy left by Force in the five-team Australian conference, and will host two-time winners Brumbies in their opening game in Tokyo on February 24.
Governing body SANZAAR decided to slim down Super Rugby after the globe-spanning competition's expanded, 18-team model lost favour with fans and led to a slump in television viewers.
The organisation's chief executive, Andy Marinos, defended the restructuring, saying not to have done it "would have been irresponsible and would have had a significant impact on the long-term sustainability of the game".
But he put the underwhelming campaigns of some leading Australian and South African teams on notice after an alarming drop-off in interest among fans.
"The teams that have not performed need to start producing a more attractive brand of rugby that re-engages fans, produces competitive results and winning performances," Marinos said in a statement.
"We have a great tournament but what is needed now is the talking to be done on the field as enough opinion and perspective has been provided off the field."
While praising this year's Super Rugby final, where the Crusaders won a record eighth title against the Lions in Johannesburg, Marinos said the tournament needed reform.
"It was not an easy decision to reduce the number of teams but a necessary one considering the outputs from the strategic review to date," he said.
"The tournament was not working with 18 teams, the structure was confusing, the outcomes of matches were becoming too predictable and the fans and stakeholders had, through our surveys, voiced their concerns."
It was a particularly miserable season for Aussie sides, who lost all 25 encounters against New Zealand opposition.
The Sunwolves, who also play home games in Singapore, have been on the end of 92-17, 83-17 and 94-7 defeats over the past two seasons and Marinos said SANZAAR would be taking a "more proactive role" in managing its operations.
"Their performances over the first two seasons have been disappointing and improvement is required," said Marinos, adding that responsibility for the Sunwolves would move from the Japan Rugby Football Association to an entity called the Japan Super Rugby Association.
The 2018 Super Rugby tournament starts on Saturday 17 February when the South African Conference kicks-off with the Stormers hosting the Jaguares in Cape Town. The Lions, runners-up the last two years, host the Sharks in Johannesburg, while the Bulls have a bye.
The Australian and New Zealand Conferences will kick-off a week later when the defending champions the Crusaders open the defence of their title at home against the Chiefs. The Brumbies, last year's Australian Conference winner, open the season against the Sunwolves in Tokyo who are now positioned in the Australian Conference.
Each team will play 16 Conference matches that include eight matches within their own Conference (home and away) and four matches against teams from each of the other Conferences (home or away). The finals will comprise an eight team, seven match series.
Australian Conference: Brumbies, Rebels, Reds, Waratahs, Sunwolves
New Zealand Conference: Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes
South African Conference: Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers, Jaguares.
