All Blacks legend John Kirwan has made a stark declaration about the fate of Super Rugby, stating emphatically, “I think it’s over.” He argues that the competition, once a benchmark in global rugby, has lost its appeal and calls for a complete transformation. Since its inception in 1996, following rugby union's shift to professionalism, Super Rugby was celebrated as the top club competition worldwide. However, it's now plagued by decreasing spectator numbers, financial woes, and the exit of key South African teams, casting doubt on its sustainability.
On the Rivals podcast, Kirwan expressed that the sport's decision-makers need to adopt a daring new approach.
“Super Rugby has been amazing for us for the last 30 years, but I think it’s over,”
he expressed. He emphasized a return to “tribalism and traditionalism” to reignite the competition’s allure.
Kirwan suggested that strengthening local rivalries could be the key to reviving interest and support in New Zealand. He proposed,
“If it was me, I would bring in another three New Zealand sides,”
and even challenged Australian teams to revive historical clubs like Randwick to foster traditional local competitions.
Moreover, Kirwan highlighted the necessity for clubs to receive a larger portion of broadcasting revenues to achieve financial independence and professionalism. The financial viability of teams has been a pressing concern, underscored by the recent collapse of the Melbourne Rebels in 2024 and the ongoing financial difficulties faced by Moana Pasifika.
The disparity between the rugby scenes in the northern and southern hemispheres was another point Kirwan touched upon. He noted the robustness of club rugby in France and England, contrasting it with the dwindling crowd sizes in the southern hemisphere. “In the northern hemisphere, France is going great and the English game is really buoyant with big crowds,” Kirwan observed, suggesting that southern hemisphere rugby needs a bold overhaul to compete.
This call for reform is a critical reflection on the current state and future of Super Rugby, urging those in power to take decisive and innovative actions to preserve the game’s legacy and ensure its relevance in the future.
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All Blacks legend John Kirwan has made a stark declaration about the fate of Super Rugby, stating emphatically, “I think it’s over.” He argues that the competition, once a benchmark in global rugby, has lost its appeal and calls for a complete transformation. Since its inception in 1996, following rugby union's shift to professionalism, Super Rugby was celebrated as the top club competition worldwide. However, it's now plagued by decreasing spectator numbers, financial woes, and the exit of key South African teams, casting doubt on its sustainability.
On the Rivals podcast, Kirwan expressed that the sport's decision-makers need to adopt a daring new approach.
“Super Rugby has been amazing for us for the last 30 years, but I think it’s over,”
he expressed. He emphasized a return to “tribalism and traditionalism” to reignite the competition’s allure.Kirwan suggested that strengthening local rivalries could be the key to reviving interest and support in New Zealand. He proposed,
“If it was me, I would bring in another three New Zealand sides,”
and even challenged Australian teams to revive historical clubs like Randwick to foster traditional local competitions.Moreover, Kirwan highlighted the necessity for clubs to receive a larger portion of broadcasting revenues to achieve financial independence and professionalism. The financial viability of teams has been a pressing concern, underscored by the recent collapse of the Melbourne Rebels in 2024 and the ongoing financial difficulties faced by Moana Pasifika.
The disparity between the rugby scenes in the northern and southern hemispheres was another point Kirwan touched upon. He noted the robustness of club rugby in France and England, contrasting it with the dwindling crowd sizes in the southern hemisphere. “In the northern hemisphere, France is going great and the English game is really buoyant with big crowds,” Kirwan observed, suggesting that southern hemisphere rugby needs a bold overhaul to compete.
This call for reform is a critical reflection on the current state and future of Super Rugby, urging those in power to take decisive and innovative actions to preserve the game’s legacy and ensure its relevance in the future.