Super Rugby Pacific Considers Major Format and Eligibility Changes
Super Rugby Pacific officials are considering significant changes to the competition's format and player eligibility rules. These discussions follow the planned disbandment of the Moana Pasifika franchise after the 2026 season. The proposed changes, which include a double round robin season and relaxed cross-border selection rules, are scheduled for discussion when all clubs gather in Christchurch for the Super Round this month.
Proposed Competition Changes
Officials are considering several adjustments to the structure of the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
- Format and Schedule: A shift to a 10-team competition featuring an 18-match double round robin regular season is under consideration.
- Conference System: Broadcaster Stan Sport has proposed reintroducing a conference system, which would guarantee Australian teams' participation in the finals series.
- Salary Cap: A fixed salary cap for all clubs has been discussed, though sources note this presents complexities due to existing national union contracting systems and top-up schemes for top players.
Background and Context
The proposals come amid a period of change for the competition.
Moana Pasifika is scheduled to be disbanded at the end of the 2026 season. Earlier this year, Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley stated there were no plans to add new teams following the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, emphasizing a focus on "strengthening our existing clubs" rather than expansion.
Player Eligibility Proposals
A key proposal involves relaxing player eligibility rules to facilitate movement between Australian and New Zealand clubs.
- The change would allow New Zealand players to be selected for the All Blacks while playing for an Australian Super Rugby club, and vice versa for Australian players.
- Implementing this faces a challenge due to existing national union selection policies.
Current National Selection Policies
The proposed eligibility changes would require adjustments to current policies held by the sport's national governing bodies.
- New Zealand Rugby maintains a policy of not selecting players based outside New Zealand unless they are under a New Zealand Rugby contract.
- Rugby Australia's policy is reported to be less defined. High-performance director Peter Horne has stated that a maximum of three overseas-based players could be selected, noting that the so-called "Giteau Law" was "kind of redundant" last year.
- Both unions hold the position that players remaining in domestic competitions in Australia and New Zealand best prepares them for international rugby.
Governance and Decision-Making
Some Super Rugby officials have expressed concerns about the governance structure surrounding format decisions.
One New Zealand Super Rugby CEO stated that Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby retain control over format changes, with the official saying format decisions are "reserved for the national unions."
The same official expressed a view that the national unions see Super Rugby "primarily as a development competition rather than a top-tier commercial product."
Next Steps
All proposed changes and related topics are scheduled for formal discussion when club officials gather in Christchurch for the Super Round event this month.