Rugby: The Super Rugby competition will expand to 12 teams from 2022

Super Rugby will expand to 12-teams in 2022 and become a trans-Tasman competition again with conditional licences granted to the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika to join.

Last month World Rugby pledged a $2.16 million annual package to guide the teams through their first three years in the competition.

Expansion has now been deemed viable and licenses officially granted, news hailed by Rugby Australia as a “new dawn” for rugby in the region.

The process is not yet a fait accompli, with final approval of the business plan needed by June 30.

“Once further conditions around the licences have been met, we look forward to formalising the composition of the teams in what will hopefully prove a new dawn for Rugby in the region,” Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said.

New Zealand Rugby CEO, Mark Robinson, who announced the licenses had been provisionally granted, was confident that the two teams would meet the conditions.

“We are moving into the final phase of planning for 2022 and beyond, and we have confidence that Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua will be able to meet the conditions of the licence, which includes final sign off on a sustainable business plan by 30 June,“ he said in a statement.

“In the next two months we will be working with Rugby Australia and the two Pasifika teams to formalise their place in the new competition for what we believe will kick off an exciting, new era for the professional game.”

The FRU today welcomed New Zealand Rugby’s announcement that it would award a conditional license to the Fijian Drua to participate in the Super Rugby competition from 2022 onwards.
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The Pasifika team is expected to be based in south Auckland and the Fijians could play some matches in Sydney.

Resumption of clashes between Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby teams are set for later this year after the withdrawal of South African teams on a permanent basis last September and COVID-19 forced border closures.

The “travel bubble” between Australia and New Zealand is set to open shortly paving the way for a competition between Super Rugby teams from both countries.

Fiji Rugby officials labelled it a “historic day” and vowed to be competitive in the new competition.

“Fiji Rugby has been through thick and thin, good and bad, lows and highs,” CEO John O’Connor said.

“We are so grateful to New Zealand Rugby in particular, who have championed our inclusion in the Super Rugby competition.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to NZR Chairman Brent Impey and his CEO, Mark Robinson and their Board and management colleagues for the faith they have shown in us to get to this point. We will not let them down.

“I’m sure we will be more than competitive, not only at Super Rugby level, but also flowing through to greater success for the national team.”

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