SUPER rugby will soon no longer be a summer sport. Australian and New Zealand officials agree the Super season, expected to be expanded to a six-month competition in 2010, should not start in February.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief Steve Tew said this week there was "absolutely no value in playing rugby in February".
"Our preference is for people to enjoy their barbecues and play summer activities, such as cricket, and turn to rugby when they are ready, which isn't February," Tew said.
Tew yesterday received support from his Australian counterpart, John O'Neill, who told the Herald: "We also have a preference to start the season later but that's always been a problem because of the New Zealand provincial competition.
"Yet if you go to an expanded Super rugby format of between 22 to 26 weeks it would be preferable to start in March, and go through to the end of August. We've held the view for some time that in February, if it is still summery conditions in New Zealand, imagine what it's like in Brisbane. … So I'm encouraged by Steve's comments."
The Super expansion, revealed in the Herald several months ago, involves more teams and more local derbies. Adding to the push is a NZRU document which promotes moving the Provincial Cup to a mid-August start, running through to early November.
This would enable the Super 14 to start later, and the Tri Nations to move back to September and October, coinciding with the rugby league and AFL finals.
