Exclusive: At a crucial time for the game, Rugby Australia has told its longtime New Zealand Rugby ally that they are firmly considering abandoning Super Rugby once and for all.
In addition, RA is considering a national-only competition to replicate the AFL and NRL.
RA President Hamish McLennan informed his NZR counterpart Stewart Mitchell during the dinner that they were firmly considering summoning him to his association after the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
“We will honor our commitments in ’23, but we have to see what is best for rugby in Australia before the RWC in Australia in ’27,” McLennan said. foxsports.com.au.
“All bets are off from ’24 with NZ.”
It broadcasts more than 50 sports live and on demand with Kayo. Are we in Kayo? Try 14 days free now>
Hamish McLennan says “all bets are off” and they are ready to leave their association with New Zealand Rugby. Photo: News CorpFont: News Corp Australia
There has been a strong dose of bitterness since former NZR President Brent Impey left South Africa and Argentina behind after the appearance of Covid-19.
The disappointment continued when NZR told RA that they only wanted two Australian teams to take part in their next iteration of Super Rugby.
Two years later and NZR has changed its tune, admitting to RA officials that they have made a mistake and have been pleasantly surprised by the improvement in the sample of their neighbors through the ditch.
At the back of Australia’s much-improved show in 2022, which included three teams that reached the final and the Brumbies about to knock down the Blues at Eden Park in the semifinals, NZR wants to extend its deal with RA beyond 2023..
McLennan and RA board member Phil Waugh informed Mitchell that they were considering leaving for dinner earlier this month.
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos is considering whether to turn to private equity or borrow more money before his golden decade. Photo: AFP Source: AFP
Before all the money from the transmission, that Super sports in South Africa, the most bombed, was divided equally between the three inaugural partners of SANZAR. This spread to Argentina when the South Americans were included in the competition in 2016.
That is not the case today.
Broadcasting partners pay NZR $ 91 million Celwhich exceeds the $ 29 million RA receives each year.
RA believes that for the partnership to be one that benefits both parties, they should be compensated.
“The RA Board does not want to harm the PE / debt process with any competition presented as a consummate fact,” McLennan said.
“Some board members have strong opinions that only domestic competition like the AFL and the NRL would generate more money for the game and that’s a fair comment.”
More than 40,000 fans gathered at Suncorp Stadium to watch the Reds defeat the Brumbies in the 2021 Super Rugby AU final.
Rugby Australia will host two World Cups this decade. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
If RA ended its partnership with NZR, they would consider adding a second side to NSW and Queensland.
The addition of Fiji has also pleased RA, while the Japanese representation is still a consideration.
Crucially, RA has the support of its stakeholders, with Super Rugby franchises supporting the governing body.
“I can definitely say that all Super Rugby chairs are behind the thoughts of Rugby Australia and we definitely want to explore, as we should be able to do, explore our options to move forward,” said Brumbies President Matt Nobbs.
“We have to act in the best interest of the game and our financial viability also goes into that.”
Nor have they ruled out strengthening its relationship with SANZAAR’s allies, South Africa and Argentina, mainly because the governing body is considering selling part of its commercial arm through private capital.
Just weeks after NZR signed a $ 180 million private equity deal with US company Silver Lake, South Africa is nearing its own deal with CVC, which it signed last year. a Six Nations agreement of A $ 636 million.
While NZR hopes its trans-Tasman neighbors will sign with Silver Lake to strengthen their alliance and further develop Super Rugby, they could still derail if RA is placed with CVC who has completely different ideas. from which direction to take the game.
RA CEO Andy Marinos, who played in Wales, previously spent more than a decade working with South African rugby and his close connections to the Rainbow Nation could be seen ‘ l Strengthen ties with Springboks.
The governing body could still decide to participate in any private equity deal and instead borrow money, because if they sold their assets now, they would sell them at their lowest point.
RA is on the brink of a golden decade, which includes a series of British and Irish Lions and local men’s (2027) and women’s (2029) local world cups. It also includes a 2032 Commonwealth Games and Olympics at home.