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Cape Town - Legendary former All Blacks wing John Kirwan has proposed a major shake-up to southern hemisphere rugby which would have a significant impact on Super Rugby.
Kirwan, who played 63 Tests for the All Blacks between 1984 and 1994, shared his views in an interview with the Stuff.co.nz website where he suggested domestic rugby should be strengthened.
Kirwan’s idea would see 14 New Zealand provinces and six Australian teams take part in a 20-team domestic competition, while allowing South African to focus on their Currie Cup during that period.
Super Rugby would then be contested by the above-mentioned 20 teams, as well as sides from South Africa and Japan, the format of which would be a pool one, similar to what is seen in the European Champions Cup.
Kirwan made no mention of the Jaguares who currently form part of Super Rugby.
“We would have possibly 14 New Zealand sides and then six Australian sides - get back to their traditional sides - and I think we've seen a resurgence of support (in Australia) for them.
"And then the Japanese play their domestic competitions, the Africans play their domestic competition (Currie Cup), and we could possible look at a couple of Island sides coming in and then every four to six weeks we break into a four-round Super Rugby where we all play each other."
Kirwan's idea could provide an opportunity for South Africa to focus more on strengthening its Currie Cup - a tournament that has dwindled in popularity in recent years.
