A step in the right direction?
Disclaimer- I don’t much about anything. This will annoy a lot of fans
Unfortunately for Super rugby and NZRU, they need a strong tahs and reds to keep super rugby alive. Mere commercial relevance is the biggest factor e.g. more eyeballs and ticket sales = more revenue = bigger tv rights deal = more funding = more competitive salary caps etc.
How do you reach this? The biggest market must be competitive year on year, which is Australia particularly NSW and QLD through shear population. There is a large dormant rugby supporter base in both states however perennial under performance has seen public interest wavering for 10+ years.
What I suggest is Bi partisan support between RA and NZRU for anyone playing in the competition to be eligible for international selection for their home nation. Essentially allowing a currency arbitrage to recruit some top tier NZ talent to AU clubs to bolster squads. Or NZ getting top quality reserves for their squads.
Why would NZRU agree to this? NRL is a real threat to them. The commercial behemoth is expanding rapidly with talent across the ditch becoming much more enticing. The 20th NRL team is almost certainly going to be in Christchurch. The money that will be offered to aspiring All Blacks will be to much to shy away from and there will be a time when top tier union talent from schools etc will be poached into league, as they have done in AUS relentlessly for the last 10+ years. How do you keep them in rugby - more money.
Imagine if Richie Mounga could comeback and sign for the Tahs and still be eligible for the AB’s. That would be of benefit to all involved. Crusaders still develop their talent, NSW foot the bill for a proven star and then their young talent at 10 get to learn from the games best. This could have huge flow on effects for talent attracting talent (maybe Will Skelton wants to play with Ritchie if he signs) etc. You could also see someone like Nathan Cleary be attracted to playing for someone like the crusaders. Proven winners with great culture. It would be a lot more attractive than playing for the tahs and assuring yourself a bottom place finish. He would then be eligible for Aus if he rips.
This also gets a so much more outside chat about rugby happening = more eyeballs. James O’Connor’s signing to Crusaders last year had many peripheral fans back engaging with the sport because it was something different and new and created success for all involved.
Chances are nothing will happen. NZ will keep winning. NRL will keep expanding until super rugby is completely engulfed by it and only the extremely rusted on fan will care about their super rugby team and the other supporters will cheer on the NRL’s 30th new team.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing more that I want than to see a healthy rugby comp but you have to be realistic on ways to change for positive outcomes for both parties.