Broadcasters have presented Sanzaar with a wishlist that includes a neutral Vodacom Super Rugby final venue, marquee signings and a tour-based Rugby Championship.
With the current Sanzaar broadcast deal ending in 2020, the Super Rugby format will revert to a 14-team round-robin structure from 2021 onwards.
But the Sydney Morning Herald reports that broadcasters in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom have compiled a wishlist in which they ask the southern hemisphere governing body to make radical changes to its current tournament structures.
One major change would see the Super Rugby final played at a predetermined neutral venue. At present, the finalist that finishes highest on the log during the regular season enjoys the advantage of hosting the decider.
Other adjustments would see the addition of concepts such as ‘marquee players’ – allowing for movement of Test stars between rival nations’ franchises without impacting on their international prospects.
The Rugby Championship would also be impacted. The competition would shift to a ‘tour-based itinerary’ similar to the current June series’ scheduling, running from August to October in two separate windows.
