Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald says ending the Rugby Championship would be “an absolute tragedy”.
Speaking on The Breakdown alongside former teammates Mils Muliaina and Aaron Cruden, Donald praised the quality of the 2025 tournament, which saw the Springboks edge the All Blacks on points difference to claim back-to-back titles for the first time.
He believes the Wallabies and Argentina have now reached the same level as the Boks and All Blacks, making the event more competitive than ever.
“It’s always a balancing thing, but it has to be played every year,” Donald said. “Historically, both Argentina and Australia have had their moments, but they’ve come back now at the same time.
“It would be an absolute tragedy now, after finally getting those two teams back to the Boks and All Blacks’ level, to do away with it.”
The Rugby Championship is set to be shelved in 2026, with a tours-based format planned in its place. Under current proposals, New Zealand will tour South Africa while Argentina and Australia arrange separate fixtures during the traditional Championship window.
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Donald acknowledged the excitement surrounding the tours but warned against losing the consistency and rivalries that the Championship provides.
“The Six Nations is a great event and all the games are an occasion,” he said. “But when Australia and Argentina get their houses in order, which they have now, there’s nothing that matches the competitiveness of these four teams. They’re all traditionally among the world’s top six, and that’s where they belong.”
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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