'We haven't got it right': Gibson Wants Super Format Change

Johannesburg: NSW coach Daryl Gibson called on Super Rugby administrators to make sweeping changes to the competition ahead of the next broadcast deal in 2021.

Echoing the opinions of countless coaches and provincial administrators in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, Gibson said the format was plainly wrong and needed a revamp.

"I will only echo what most coaches are saying. We haven't got the competition right in terms of its format and we need to do something to make it more exciting for all countries that are participating in Super Rugby," he said.

"Going back to a round robin format where everyone plays each other is certainly one way we can achieve that."

Gibson, a former Crusaders and New Zealand Test centre, was speaking after the Waratahs bowed out of the title race with a 44-26 semi-final loss to the Lions at Ellis Park.

His comments came on the back of similar calls from Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli and Gibson's own boss, NSW Rugby CEO Andrew Hore.

Both executives implored competition administrators SANZAAR to make brave choices and return Super Rugby to its founding values of innovation and competition.

"Fundamentally you've got the best rugby competition in the world and the best quality of rugby at the [Rugby] Championship as well," Hore told Fairfax Media last week. "So what's at stake is making sure we maintain our dominance as the best rugby competition there is. From that, the rest will follow."

Straeuli, an imposing former South African No.8 who coached the Springboks and Sharks before moving into commercial and administrative roles, said a push for a round robin format from 2021 onwards was gaining momentum.

“I think everybody is on the same track about round robin, or everyone against everyone, that may [help] the integrity of the competition, if you can say you've played everybody," Straeuli said.

"Our challenge is commercially, to look at the numbers in the stadium and at the broadcasting. We're fortunate to have an iconic stadium but we don't always fill it. We've had good crowds because the team has been winning.

"We've got to look at what the people want, they want a simplistic competition that they can figure out."

By Georgina Robinson (www.smh.com.au) 

I haven't read any of that. They've threatened this in the past, but everyone knows they don't have the guts to actually do it. So the Aussies and Kiwis do what they usually do, feed the pigeons to keep them happy. 

Their were rumors earlier in the year. OF SA moving to NH to join Cheetahs and Kings. Have not heard much since though. I guess SARU think it would benefit them in other ways. Super Rugby has been pretty good this season as far as quality matches go. But they need to scratch the conference system. Just not getting the best v best anymore. Home v Away system again. Everyone plays everyone. 

It's commonsense to have a round robin competition. Propping up teams as in the current format is a costly laugh at the expense of SANZAAR.

There is nothing that can bed done before 2020 when he current agreement ends.   I would much rather see a system that over a two year term all teams have home and away matches against all other teams.   For example a team like the Crusaders will play a team like the Sharks at home in year one and away in year two.

It will obviously entail doing away with the conference system.