Bombshell report says Kiwis could walk away from Super Rugby
New Zealand is reportedly considering walking away from Super Rugby Pacific in a bombshell move that would leave Australia out in the cold.
The Post reported on Tuesday that New Zealand Rugby’s financial woes had led to some drastic cost-cutting measures being considered.
Fehi Fineanganofo of the Hurricanes breaks away for a try. Getty
New Zealand has been the backbone of Super Rugby competitions in various formats since its inception 30 years ago.
A non-New Zealand team hasn’t lifted the trophy since Michael Cheika’s NSW Waratahs in 2014.
Next year’s competition will feature five Kiwi teams, four from Australia plus Fijian Drua.
The report was written by Paul Cully, who is also a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald.
“New Zealand Rugby and its stakeholders will discuss a new 8-10 team national competition to replace Super Rugby Pacific and the NPC, The Post can reveal,” it read.
“The proposal is one of three options contained in a confidential NZ Rugby document that has been sent to stakeholders ahead of a critical rugby summit in Wellington on Thursday.
“It is understood the push to replace Super Rugby does not reflect NZ Rugby’s position and has originated from the provincial unions, setting the scene for a showdown before NZ Rugby makes a decision on the future in late October.”
Rugby Australia are yet to address the report but just last week, SRP chief executive Jack Mesley - an Australian - spruiked the attraction of a new-look 2027 competition.
“We’re delighted to deliver a 2027 draw that gives fans more to look forward to than ever before - Sunday footy, an epic Easter weekend, Super Round back in Christchurch and a history-making Anzac weekend in Brisbane,” Mesley said.
“Every team begins the season with a clear ambition to win the title. But the stakes will be even higher next year, with the opening half of the season shaping as a shootout for Test jerseys ahead of the inaugural Anzac Bledisloe and the Rugby World Cup coming sharply into view beyond it.
“Throw in all the traditional and emerging rivalries, and a new finals series where every game is sudden death, and there will be more at stake in every Super Rugby Pacific fixture, from the opening whistle through to the grand final.
Super Rugby Pacific is forecast to lose about $NZ11 million in the 2025-2026 financial year. Getty Images
“Over the last three seasons our competition has experienced growth across all key metrics, and we’re confident that we’ve delivered a fan-focused draw for 2027 that will continue to build on that positive momentum.”
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