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The original Super Rugby concept was based on creating a product for TV. With that in mind, is it time for Australia and New Zealand to play in a more time zone relevant Asia Pacific provincial tournament?
The potential in Asia from a broadcast perspective is huge and I think World Rugby should be pushing a lot of their dollars and resources into that region because there is huge opportunity for growth. I also think its crucial to nurture the pacific nations as well and an Asia Pacific based tournament may help with that.
What did you think about the decision to remove the Western Force?
I definitely believe that it was the wrong decision to remove the Force. I think the best outcome would have been to merge the Melbourne Rebels and the ACT Brumbies. I really don’t think Australia is strong enough from a rugby perspective to have four provincial sides on the east coast of Australia and if you look at it, Melbourne and Canberra were a pretty good fit. Melbourne has a strong sporting community and huge commercial support and Canberra has the playing support so why couldn’t you out them together and play half the games in Canberra and half the games in Melbourne.
From the very start of Super Rugby, Australia has wanted to use the competition to increase our depth and interest in the sport and no one has done that better than the Western Force in my opinion.
What are your initial thoughts on Andrew Forrest’s IPRC tournament and could that potentially create the framework for an Asia Pacific tournament to replace Super Rugby?
I’m not sure if it can replace Super Rugby but I certainly think it can become the Asian component of the tournament. If the Western Force can play a part in that, then that would be fantastic
I spoke with Andrew Forrest at the Barbarians lunch in October last year and I think his concept is fantastic, particularly if it can nurture the Asian rugby market. I sincerely hope that the ARU and Forrest both realise that they are far better off working together rather than against one another. He’s obviously a very successful businessman and I really hope the concept can get off the ground.
Raelene Castle jumped into your old seat as ARU CEO a few weeks ago. What advice would you offer her?
I think it’s crucial that Raelene surrounds herself with some very smart rugby people in the early stages and I think she needs to spend a little bit of time trying to win back the hearts and minds of those who have become disengaged with the game. Communication will be the really big thing and I wish her all the best because we need someone to push the game in the right direction.
https://rugbynews.net.au/super-rugby...tition-future/