Sir John Kirwan proposes radical ‘Heineken Cup-style’ competition after Rebels’ Super Rugby Pacific demise

All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan has come up with a radical suggestion for Super Rugby Pacific’s format to make up for the impending departure of the Rebels from the competition.

Last week it was revealed that Rugby Australia (RA) had axed the Rebels after the governing body refused to accept a bid from a private consortium to rescue the franchise.

The Melbourne-based outfit have been in voluntary administration since January with debts owed to creditors exceeding AUS$23m, including AUS$11.5m in tax.

Since then, RA have taken over the running of the club for the 2024 season, covering the costs of the players and staff for this campaign, and there was hope when a potential buyer proposed a rescue plan.

However, RA turned down that offer and have instead chosen to chop the Rebels from Super Rugby Pacific at the end of this season.

Time for an overhaul

That means that the Southern Hemisphere tournament will only have 11 clubs left and Kirwan feels it’s time for Super Rugby Pacific to have an overhaul.

“This is what I think we should suggest,” Kirwan started by saying on The Breakdown. “We play 10 games biannually home and away. You play a semi-final and a final, but you don’t play it until we break into our regions and play a Heineken Cup-style competition.

“We bring Japan in, we bring America in, play that for six weeks.”

Fellow former All Blacks legend and wing Jeff Wilson interjected by saying: “It won’t happen next year.” and Kirwan replied: “No, because we can’t get around our governance to make quick decisions, but let’s not go there yet!

“We create another tournament and then we play the finals of Super Rugby.”

Another All Blacks great, ex-full-back Mils Muliaina gave his approval to Kirwan’s idea suggesting that the knockout rounds be played similarly to the Top 14’s.

“Eleven teams would be okay with me,” he said. “One round and then a top-six, and then the top two teams have a break, with the others playing off for a semi-final spot.”

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Muliaina said while the Rebels’ demise is sad, it could benefit the game in Australia in the future.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that this is probably a good thing for Australian rugby, it’s going to strengthen the other four sides,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s got to this point where they’ve had to cull a team. I think in the long run in terms of the competition it might make it a lot better.”

Wilson believes culling the Rebels is something which RA had to do.

“This is not unfortunate, this was just necessary with the amount of pressure Australian rugby is under financially, so they had to make a critical decision around that,” he added.

“In terms of their player depth, it’s something they’ve struggled with for a long time now. I think it won’t hurt them in any way, shape or form.”

More home games needed

Wilson also gave his backing to Kirwan’s Heineken Cup-style format suggestion for Super Rugby but feels teams will have to play more home games to make it financially viable.

“Is there enough games if you’ve only got 10 games? It’s only five home games in a season. You talk to any Super Rugby CEO, that’s not enough to sell to sponsors, to sell to the fans in terms of a package,” he said.

“I like your Heineken Cup idea, I’ve always liked that, but I think top-six makes sense.

“Just play it out for a year and see how it looks.”

READ MORE: Wallabies legend highlights how Rebels downfall can ‘strengthen’ other Australian sides