Expanding Super Rugby Pacific into Hawaii is the latest innovative idea spearheaded by Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan. The focus on the “Pacific” aspect of Super Rugby opens up the possibility of Hawaii joining the competition with its own team in the future. McLennan is also interested in reintroducing Japan into the mix. The Tokyo-based Sunwolves were part of Super Rugby from 2016 to 2020, but unfortunately disbanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interest in adding a United States-based team is also gaining momentum. Currently, Japan is the only top 10 country in the World Rugby men’s rankings that does not participate in a multinational tournament. Instead, they have their own domestic competition called Rugby League One. The United States has the Major League Rugby competition with 12 teams split into eastern and western conferences, but no Hawaiian team.
McLennan mentioned that Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh believes that Hawaii should have a team, which would be led by the United States. McLennan also supports the idea of including Japan. His vision is to have at least two additional teams, which would result in more matches and a stronger competition. The goal is to expand and support teams like Drua, Moana Pasifika, and other systems to create the best provincial competition in the world.
Another concept that McLennan supports is a player draft, similar to the AFL. This would allow the best players to be distributed across the teams, similar to Damien McKenzie joining the Melbourne Rebels. McLennan believes that this would not only make the teams more competitive but also give fans more individuals to support. Implementing a draft quickly and with appropriate frameworks would generate viewer interest on both sides of the Tasman. The AFL and American sports have successfully used drafts to create excitement and new assets. By collectively promoting a draft before the Super Rugby season, it would generate incredible interest and increase the value of media rights.
The Super Rugby Pacific finals are ongoing, with the Crusaders and Blues facing off in Christchurch, followed by the Brumbies taking on the Chiefs in Hamilton.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
