Hot on the heels of yesterday’s shock news from Paris, SANZAAR are proving they’re not ones to be out-done. News today from the New Zealand Herald reports that Australia and South Africa are both set to lose one franchise each. This would reduce Super Rugby from 18 to 16 teams.
According to the report, those in line for elimination are Port Elizabeth-based Kings and one of either Perth-based Force or the Melbourne Rebels. Teams from both countries have been performing poorly in the competition. The only team from South Africa to win the Super Rugby title are the Bulls, with wins in 2007, 2009 and 2010. The Brumbies, Reds and Waratahs have all brought the title to Australian shores.
The news has not gone down well in some quarters. Most fearing their local team might face the axe:
If super rugby cut the force the nrl has to be ready to put a team in perth asap
— Aaron Wallace (@wallyscr) March 14, 2017
If the Brumbies get cut it would be an absolute disgrace @SuperRugby
— Mike Stanton (@mdstanton) March 14, 2017
I am going to be apocalyptically angry if @BrumbiesRugby are cut from @SuperRugby as a result of ARU’s “expansion” plans.
— Pete Oliver (@TheVoon) March 14, 2017
Some remain defiant:
.@NSWWaratahs Michael Hooper says Australia can sustain 5 @SuperRugby teams – @abcgrandstand @abcnews pic.twitter.com/kL5BsaTiYb
— Jen Browning (@jen_browning) March 14, 2017
However, others are welcoming the proposed downsizing:
I think it’s a good thing Super Rugby getting reduced from 18 to 16.
Expanding competitions ain’t always the answer. Bring it back to 14— JT Stewart (@JayTStewart) March 14, 2017
Whereas some favour even more drastic change:
So is it time to divorce SA re super Rugby? Just Aussie NZ Asia and pacific islands ? That’s what I would do
— Jason Cornell (@cornellsponsors) March 14, 2017
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