The idea of including Fiji and Japan in an annual Six Nations-style tournament in 2026, occurring every two years, is currently being discussed by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) CEO Mark Robinson.
However, there are suggestions that such a tournament should occur yearly as part of an expanded Rugby Championship.
The idea to have Japan and Fiji was a proposal that was a move favoured by fans worldwide to improve the sport and has more spectators with rugby tickets watch matches and take the sport globally. The move to recognize Japan as a top-tier nation in March was the final puzzle to understanding that Japan and Fiji should complement the sport's growth by all means.
The proposal to include Fiji and Japan in the Rugby Championship would bring a new element and shake up the tournament, sometimes considered inferior to the Six Nations regarding unpredictability and expansion. Fiji and Japan have shown promising progress in recent years, with Japan particularly impressing during the 2019 Rugby World Cup by defeating strong teams like Ireland and Scotland.
While some argue that Japan should not be included unless they can regularly defeat the All Blacks, it is essential to note that Argentina took several years and many matches to register their first win over New Zealand.
The development of teams like Japan and Fiji is ongoing, and their inclusion would add excitement and competitiveness to the Rugby Championship.
Japan's style of play can trouble strong teams like the Springboks and challenge the All Blacks, making them an exciting proposition for Australia and Argentina. Fiji, with its rich rugby history and talented players, has the potential to defeat any tier-one opponent at home. Including Fiji and Japan in the tournament would refresh the Rugby Championship and bring a made-for-TV product with the vibrant atmosphere in Fiji.
It would also mean nations like Fiji would inherit the financial surplus needed to keep their rugby program alive. Looking at the Super Rugby team's progress and the fan following with Fiji, including the side at a Rugby Championship level, would mean that their players would have regular game time and better incentives to stay instead of leaving for other nations.
From an entertainment perspective, it is a no-brainer to have Fiji included, especially considering the style of rugby they play and the athletes they produce. Although Fiji may not bring a large TV rights market like Japan, their inclusion would enhance the overall TV product and generate interest from fans worldwide and eventually lead to an increase in the sale of rugby tickets.
The World Rugby Sevens circuit is a great example where the bulk of the rugby tickets on sale get sold out solely due to fans wanting to see the charisma and the style of play that Fiji brings to the series.
A six-team Rugby Championship with Japan and Fiji would reduce the number of current fixtures per team. Still, it would balance supply and demand, maintaining scarcity and building anticipation. The longer-term goal could be to include the USA as the seventh competing member, capturing one of the biggest sporting markets in the world.
Adding Fiji and Japan to the Rugby Championship would bring excitement, competitiveness, and a fresh dynamic to the tournament.
While New Zealand might still dominate, Argentina would no longer consistently finish last. Fiji and Japan would have the opportunity to compete against top-tier teams and make their mark on the international stage.
Does Springbok Exit hamper the competition?
The South African Rugby Union has informed its SANZAAR partners that they are “exploring their options,” potentially referring to joining the Six Nations after the Rugby World Cup 2023. However, according to Sanzaar chief executive Brendan Morris, South Africa has committed to the Rugby Championship until 2025, as confirmed by the recent announcement. This provides certainty for the Rugby Championship, and Morris expressed that he took South Africa's commitment in good faith.
In 2020, Springboks officially withdrew from the series with concerns about Australia not being accommodative of the side during the COVID-19 restrictions. With most Springboks players playing Europe, some regulations and conditions needed to be met for these individuals, which the local bodies obstructed.
This led to the overall thought of the Springboks eventually opting out of the tournament.
However, the long-term future of SANZAAR beyond 2025 is now up for discussion, with the next 18 months being critical in determining South Africa's ongoing participation. There are also topics to be addressed, such as the potential alignment of the Rugby Championship with the Six Nations by moving it earlier in the year.
The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted all rugby unions to consider the competition structures that would work best for them commercially. The drain caused by the pandemic has necessitated due diligence in exploring competition options that provide the best commercial outcomes.
The decision by New Zealand Rugby to withdraw from the Super Rugby format featuring South Africa and Argentina has been a significant moment in SANZAAR history. Earlier, a fan from Argentina had the privilege of watching teams such as the Crusaders and Highlanders play in Buenos Aires with rugby tickets, but the move from New Zealand Rugby to isolate themselves has paved the way for a halt of the initial format.
As a result, the old four-country Super Rugby format, which was a fundamental part of SANZAAR's long-term strategy, now needs to be redefined. New Zealand and Australia have set up their joint venture to operate the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Now, the focus is on SANZAAR to reevaluate the future direction of the unions and the Rugby Championship. Questions about expansion, maintaining the current structure, and potential opportunities to align with the global season are also in the pipeline.
The joint-venture partners are committed to working together until 2025, and discussions will be held to amend the vision for SANZAAR beyond that timeframe.
The tournament's current window may change if South Africa remains part of the Rugby Championship.
From a spectator's standpoint, the loss of Super Rugby across the SANZAAR, where each team would have a home and away fixture, made a massive dent in the sport's growth and popularity. When teams toured each country to play against the respective clubs, there was growth in spectators, following and sale of rugby tickets. The move from New Zealand to keep the tournament within the country brought in the spoils for development.
SANZAAR could look at a Champions League format super league where the top teams can play each other for a global title and have a whole new tournament. This would help the sport and fans with more rugby action and increase the purchase of rugby tickets.
