A new report suggests New Zealand Rugby has tabled three draft options for a trans-Tasman competition to replace Vodacom Super Rugby in 2021.
The match scheduling has been penciled in from the end of February or start of March until 19 June, the date set aside for the final.
However, with NZR still insisting on having all five its franchises included in any future tournament, the proposed eight-team competition would then have all the Kiwi sides, a Pacific Island side and only two Australian teams.
The two 10-team tournament proposals are set to consist of the five New Zealand sides, four Australian sides and one Pacific Island representative.
Draft options for new competition structure:
Option one:
- Eight teams
- Play all teams home and away.
- 15-week regular season
- Semi-finals & final
- 59 games
Option two:
- 10 Teams
- Play four teams twice, five teams once
- 14-week regular season
- Semi-finals & final
- 68 games
Option three:
- 10 Teams
- Play five teams twice, four teams once
- 15-week regular season
- Semi-finals & final
- 73 games