All Blacks great John Kirwan has delivered a blunt verdict on the future of Super Rugby.
“I think it’s over.”
The former All Blacks wing says the competition that once set the global standard no longer captures the imagination of fans and needs a radical overhaul.
Super Rugby was launched in 1996 after rugby union turned professional and for many years was regarded as the premier club competition in the world.
But dwindling crowds, financial struggles and the departure of the South African teams have raised fresh questions about its long-term viability.
Speaking on the Rivals podcast, Kirwan said rugby’s powerbrokers must be bold enough to embrace change.
“Super Rugby has been amazing for us for the last 30 years, but I think it’s over,” he said.
“We need to redefine it, we need to understand what it is, and I believe we need to get back to tribalism and traditionalism.”
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Kirwan believes the strongest support in New Zealand continues to come from local rivalries and wants administrators to build a competition around those tribal connections.
“If it was me, I would bring in another three New Zealand sides,” he said. “And I’d say to the Australians, ‘Why don’t you bring back Randwick?’”
He also argued that clubs need a greater share of broadcasting revenue to become financially sustainable.
“We need some television rights for the franchises so they can start being professional and start surviving by themselves.”
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Super Rugby Pacific has faced increasing financial pressure in recent years.
The collapse of the Melbourne Rebels in 2024 was a major blow, while Moana Pasifika remain under financial strain.
Kirwan believes southern hemisphere rugby is falling behind while the club game in Europe continues to flourish.
“In the northern hemisphere, France is going great and the English game is really buoyant with big crowds,” he said.
“In the southern hemisphere we’re getting smaller crowds and I think we need to have some courage to make change.”
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
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