Wallabies icon George Gregan isn't one to mince words, and his latest outburst about the decision to park the Rugby Championship next year has stirred up more than just a passing controversy. With the All Blacks and Springboks gearing up for their 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry' tour, which includes a nostalgic romp of matches across August and September 2026, the southern hemisphere's premier international contest is set to take a back seat until 2027.
This isn’t just any hiatus. Coming off what many are calling its most electrifying season yet, postponing the Rugby Championship could be likened to benching your star player just as they’ve hit form. "The Rugby Championship is now the southern hemisphere’s Six Nations," Gregan declared, highlighting just how pivotal the tournament has become.
"It’s taken a long time to get there and, after such a great tournament this year, it would be good to keep the continuity going."
Gregan’s beef isn’t just with the break in tradition but with the timing and reasoning behind it. The tour, featuring clashes between New Zealand and South Africa, both on local turfs and an overseas venue, sacrifices the annual championship for a format reminiscent of rugby yesteryears. “No one had a crystal ball to know how good the 2025 edition would be when they made the decision to put this old-school tour together,” he argued. “But you need to remember the importance of the Rugby Championship. It’s been very, very good for everyone. Look what it’s done for Argentina since its inception in 2012 – how far they’ve come is unbelievable.”
Gregan also tossed in a hypothetical that might raise eyebrows: “Can you imagine the Six Nations being postponed a year because England want to play France instead?” His suggestion? Run the tours concurrently. “We might play the Boks three times. We might play three Bledisloes against New Zealand. So they could do that, maybe take a fourth Test to the UK and make it financially viable for both teams. There are loads of South African and Kiwi fans over here. You’d still maintain the competition.”
With staunch words and a clear passion for the game's integrity, Gregan’s comments have thrown another log on the ever-burning fire of rugby debate. As for the fans, they'll have to wait until 2027 to see how this all plays out on the southern fields.
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Wallabies icon George Gregan isn't one to mince words, and his latest outburst about the decision to park the Rugby Championship next year has stirred up more than just a passing controversy. With the All Blacks and Springboks gearing up for their 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry' tour, which includes a nostalgic romp of matches across August and September 2026, the southern hemisphere's premier international contest is set to take a back seat until 2027.
This isn’t just any hiatus. Coming off what many are calling its most electrifying season yet, postponing the Rugby Championship could be likened to benching your star player just as they’ve hit form. "The Rugby Championship is now the southern hemisphere’s Six Nations," Gregan declared, highlighting just how pivotal the tournament has become.
"It’s taken a long time to get there and, after such a great tournament this year, it would be good to keep the continuity going."
Gregan’s beef isn’t just with the break in tradition but with the timing and reasoning behind it. The tour, featuring clashes between New Zealand and South Africa, both on local turfs and an overseas venue, sacrifices the annual championship for a format reminiscent of rugby yesteryears. “No one had a crystal ball to know how good the 2025 edition would be when they made the decision to put this old-school tour together,” he argued. “But you need to remember the importance of the Rugby Championship. It’s been very, very good for everyone. Look what it’s done for Argentina since its inception in 2012 – how far they’ve come is unbelievable.”
Gregan also tossed in a hypothetical that might raise eyebrows: “Can you imagine the Six Nations being postponed a year because England want to play France instead?” His suggestion? Run the tours concurrently. “We might play the Boks three times. We might play three Bledisloes against New Zealand. So they could do that, maybe take a fourth Test to the UK and make it financially viable for both teams. There are loads of South African and Kiwi fans over here. You’d still maintain the competition.”
With staunch words and a clear passion for the game's integrity, Gregan’s comments have thrown another log on the ever-burning fire of rugby debate. As for the fans, they'll have to wait until 2027 to see how this all plays out on the southern fields.