The future of Super Rugby Pacific has been secured until 2030 after Australian and New Zealand officials ended their stalemate.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan made the bold declaration earlier this year that Australian teams were prepared to walk away from Super Rugby Pacific and start a domestic competition in 2024 unless they got a better share of broadcast revenue.
After months of negotiations, and posturing on both sides of the ditch, Super Rugby Pacific will continue in its 12-team format, for now.
The competition features five Australian and five Kiwi teams, plus Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
RA released a statement on Friday confirming that a revenue sharing agreement had been reached until the end of the broadcast cycle.
“An agreement has been settled regarding revenue sharing between the parties until the conclusion of the current broadcast deals at the end of 2025 – with further financial agreements to be determined following the finalisation of future broadcast agreements,” the statement read.
Mark Nawaqanitawase scores a try for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific.Credit:Getty
A new governance model has also been signed off upon. A nine-person board has been established, which will include an independent chair, four independent directors, plus one representative from Rugby Australia, the Rugby Union Players’ Association, New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association.
It marks the end of SANZAAR’s involvement as the overarching body of Super Rugby.
“Today marks the dawn of a new era of Super Rugby within our region,” said RA boss Andy Marinos in a statement. “Securing this long-term partnership provides stability and continuity that the competition and Super Rugby clubs need to enable rugby to grow in stature and importance across the region.
“RA and NZR are committed to the development of the most exciting form of rugby in the world, through trialling and implementing new rules, new ways of engaging fans and broadcast innovations with our partners.”
Meanwhile, the new board will explore the possibility of an “integrated women’s competition structure” within Super Rugby Pacific.
More to come
