Get ready for a thrilling new era in southern hemisphere rugby! The future of the Rugby Championship is set to ignite with an exciting calendar through 2030, but there's a twist that might just spark some debate.
SANZAAR, the governing body, has unveiled a bold plan to revolutionize international rugby. With the most competitive Rugby Championship in recent memory still fresh in our minds, the member unions have agreed on a calendar that promises to shake things up.
Here's the breakdown:
- Tournament Shelved in 2026 and 2030: Instead, we get multi-week tours, a unique twist on the traditional format.
- First Full Rugby Championship Before a World Cup: A strategic move to better prepare the teams for the global stage.
- Multi-Week Tours in 2026 and 2030: An opportunity for extended rivalries and intense competition.
- Nations Championship Proposed: World Rugby's idea to determine the dominant nation every two years.
But here's where it gets controversial...
The Bledisloe Cup's Future: With the tours, will this iconic trophy still be up for grabs?
A Massive Missed Opportunity: New Zealand's reservations have led to a potential global calendar being overlooked.
Diving deeper, let's explore the new calendar and its implications.
The Announcement: Ending months of speculation, SANZAAR's decision was influenced by the intense action this year.
A Shift from Tradition: Initially, a tours format was proposed for 2028, but Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh fought for a change.
The 2028 Plans: Wallabies touring New Zealand, All Blacks in Argentina, and Springboks in Australia - all scrapped for a full Rugby Championship.
The 'Greatest Rivalry' Tour: Debuting in 2026, All Blacks vs. Springboks, three times in South Africa, and once internationally.
Rugby Championship's Return: In 2027, a full tournament over July and August, a departure from the shortened format during World Cup years.
SANZAAR's Statement: "It will deliver a full Rugby Championship in a World Cup year, an excellent preparation for our nations."
The Nations Championship: A proposed competition to replace the July and November international windows, featuring the top 12 rugby nations.
Listening to the Fans: SANZAAR's CEO Brendan Morris emphasizes the importance of fan and broadcaster feedback in crafting this calendar.
Highlights: 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup, 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup, and the 2029 British & Irish Lions tour.
A Missed Chance: The calendar's non-alignment with the Six Nations is a glaring omission. SANZAAR nations wanted to move the Rugby Championship to align with the northern hemisphere, but New Zealand held firm.
If the Rugby Championship had moved earlier, it would have created a unified global calendar.
The Hope for Change: With a late change of heart this year, there's a glimmer of hope for adjustments before 2031.
According to sources, New Zealand Rugby might be open to shifting the Rugby Championship earlier if the Six Nations organizers agree to a two-week forward move.
So, what do you think? Is this calendar a step forward or a missed opportunity? Let's discuss in the comments!
