{"id":29675,"date":"2026-09-23T00:32:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T00:32:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=29675"},"modified":"2026-09-23T00:32:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T00:32:06","slug":"super-rugby-pacific-future-new-zealand-rugby-to-consider-proposal-to-exit-competition-and-launch-domestic-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=29675","title":{"rendered":"Super Rugby Pacific future: New Zealand Rugby to consider proposal to exit competition and launch domestic league"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Iain Payten\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"64\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4fc6be755b602d68e50b4212f368fc2dc40bde43\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_64%2Ch_64%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4fc6be755b602d68e50b4212f368fc2dc40bde43, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_128%2Ch_128%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4fc6be755b602d68e50b4212f368fc2dc40bde43 2x\" width=\"64\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"\/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-09-22T13:38:56+10:00\">September 22, 2026<!-- --> \u2014 1:38pm<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iQiJyK\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 jyLmZI iQLtAb\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-aa79dff5-1 jpJRzR\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-aa79dff5-1 fkKFmT\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-aa79dff5-1 fkKGSz\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"\/>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>New Zealand will consider walking away from Super Rugby Pacific and Australia, and replacing the 30-year-old competition with a new 8-10 team domestic league.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cbombshell proposal\u201d, which was <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thepost.co.nz\/sport\/361084488\/new-zealand-rugby-puts-bombshell-proposal-replace-super-rugby-and-npc-table\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">revealed by the Wellington-based Post newspaper<\/a> on Tuesday, is one of three options contained in a secret document provided to stakeholders ahead of a major New Zealand Rugby summit on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>The summit, which will see 80 executives from NZR, Super Rugby clubs, provincial unions and the NZ Players Association gather in Wellington, comes as NZR grapples with ways to avoid a looming financial crisis.<\/p>\n<p>It was revealed last week in another secret pre-summit document that <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/sport\/rugby-union\/forget-the-romance-rugby-australia-and-nz-rugby-are-locked-in-a-marriage-of-necessity-20260919-p60yih.html\">the NZR are facing losses of $53 million between 2027-203<\/a>1, even after the massive windfall of a Lions tour in 2029.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<p>With a \u201cstructural deficit\u201d of about $16m a year, NZR is searching for ways to cut costs, and one key area of discussion at the summit will be the future of men\u2019s elite competitions. New Zealand runs five Super Rugby teams and 14 National Provincial Championship teams.<\/p>\n<p>The NZR document proposes three options for discussion: replacing Super Rugby and the NPC with a domestic professional competition; expanding Super Rugby by two more teams; or continuing Super Rugby and the NPC but with Super and NPC entities combined in Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.124%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e6b8b948be619c242acace019e22f9dce04e34c7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.124%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e6b8b948be619c242acace019e22f9dce04e34c7 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.124%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e6b8b948be619c242acace019e22f9dce04e34c7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.124%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e6b8b948be619c242acace019e22f9dce04e34c7 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Crusaders could become part of a domestic New Zealand competition, under a proposal to be dicusssed at a New Zealand summit.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.124%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e6b8b948be619c242acace019e22f9dce04e34c7\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.124%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e6b8b948be619c242acace019e22f9dce04e34c7, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.124%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e6b8b948be619c242acace019e22f9dce04e34c7 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"\/><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>The Crusaders could become part of a domestic New Zealand competition, under a proposal to be dicusssed at a New Zealand summit.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The option to walk away from Australia and Fiji and go it alone is the most explosive item on the agenda, and informed sources with knowledge of the matter said it was put into the document by the 26 provincial unions, who all get a vote as NZR members and are hugely powerful.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Post<\/em> reported that the proposal spells out the eight to 10 teams in a national competition would receive up to $8m for player payments and be run by provincial unions. It would open the door for private investment as well, the report said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\">\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/sport\/rugby-union\/forget-the-romance-rugby-australia-and-nz-rugby-are-locked-in-a-marriage-of-necessity-20260919-p60yih.html\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27386079259132484%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_281%2C$y_423\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2b9856c8998cee5ffbc559b0a3e4ee6a69807e27, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27386079259132484%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_281%2C$y_423\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2b9856c8998cee5ffbc559b0a3e4ee6a69807e27 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27386079259132484%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_281%2C$y_423\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2b9856c8998cee5ffbc559b0a3e4ee6a69807e27, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27386079259132484%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_281%2C$y_423\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2b9856c8998cee5ffbc559b0a3e4ee6a69807e27 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"xxx\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27386079259132484%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_281%2C$y_423\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2b9856c8998cee5ffbc559b0a3e4ee6a69807e27\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27386079259132484%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_281%2C$y_423\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2b9856c8998cee5ffbc559b0a3e4ee6a69807e27, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.27386079259132484%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_281%2C$y_423\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2b9856c8998cee5ffbc559b0a3e4ee6a69807e27 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Rugby Australia declined to comment on the <em>Post<\/em>\u2019s report and a potential exit from Super Rugby by the Kiwi sides.<\/p>\n<p>But informed sources with knowledge of both unions said the NZR leadership has made it clear to RA as recently as this week that they remain committed to the trans-Tasman relationship, and to playing in Super Rugby Pacific.<\/p>\n<p>The NZR and RA are <a class=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/sport\/rugby-union\/rugby-australia-secures-65m-uplift-in-new-broadcast-deal-with-nine-20250408-p5lq27.html\">one year into a five-year broadcast deal for Super Rugby Pacific,<\/a> and recent discussions between the two unions have covered the possibility of a 10-team competition expanding into Japan and the US.<\/p>\n<p>But the expansion to be discussed as an option at the NZR summit is adding two extra teams in New Zealand, presumably from two of the stronger provinces. The document says this option would require \u201cRugby Australia agreement\u201d, according to the <em>Post<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The option to combine the five New Zealand Super Rugby clubs with the provincial unions based in their city would help generate significant savings by eliminating some duplication. The NZR summit, which is an annual event, will consider all proposals before a final position is put to the NZR board in December.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/goodfood\/saved\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-12 sc-d1b14060-2 jyLmZI iQLtAb\">saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Iain Payten\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4fc6be755b602d68e50b4212f368fc2dc40bde43\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40%2Ch_40%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4fc6be755b602d68e50b4212f368fc2dc40bde43, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4fc6be755b602d68e50b4212f368fc2dc40bde43 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"\/><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span><a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm sc-b5b9fd03-2 jcGta-D\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/by\/iain-payten-p4yvrz\">Iain Payten<\/a> is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via <a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm sc-b5b9fd03-5 czsZcI\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/iainpayten?lang=en\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">X<\/a><span> or <\/span><a class=\"sc-cba76dee-0 hdiTqm sc-b5b9fd03-5 czsZcI\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/sport\/rugby-union\/mailto:iain.payten@smh.com.au\">email<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/sport\/rugby-union\/new-zealand-to-consider-walking-away-from-super-rugby-at-major-summit-20260922-p60zh0.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>September 22, 2026 \u2014 1:38pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA New Zealand will consider walking away from Super Rugby Pacific and Australia, and replacing the 30-year-old competition with a new 8-10 team domestic league. The \u201cbombshell proposal\u201d, which was revealed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1509,"featured_media":29676,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[155],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-npc"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Super Rugby Pacific future: New Zealand Rugby to consider proposal to exit competition and launch domestic league - World Bodybuilding News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=29675\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Super Rugby Pacific future: New Zealand Rugby to consider proposal to exit competition and launch domestic league - World Bodybuilding News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"September 22, 2026 \u2014 1:38pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA New Zealand will consider walking away from Super Rugby Pacific and Australia, and replacing the 30-year-old competition with a new 8-10 team domestic league. 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