Toomua calls for a rethink of the Super Rugby competition once the sport re-starts after COVID-19 shutdown

Toomua calls for a rethink of the Super Rugby competition once the sport re-starts after COVID-19 shutdown

By Violet Matakibau
27/04/2020
Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua

Wallabies playmaker Matt Toomua has joined calls for a rethink of the Super Rugby competition once the sport re-starts after the coronavirus shutdown.

The Melbourne Rebels back believes the competition, which features 15 teams across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Japan, needs to be replaced by a more local product.

The 30-year-old told rugby.com.au. that the model that they've got is a little bit aged and outdated and they probably need to have a rethink.

He says whether it be in the short term until the borders open or whether it be long-term into something else that's a bit more sustainable, bit more domestically focused.

The Super Rugby season was suspended after round seven because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the competition is set to shrink to 14 teams next year with the loss of the Tokyo-based Sunwolves.

Increased airfare costs are expected even after the crisis has passed, which will hang heavy on national unions already hard-hit financially by the sporting shutdown.

Echoing the recent comments of his former ACT Brumbies and Australia captain Stephen Moore, Toomua says he felt the competition was simply no longer engaging fans.

[Source:Reuters]

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Ratu Tevita Mara says being a leader is to uplift people’s lives
Being a leader is to uplift people’s lives. That is the comment from the newly installed Tui Lau, Sau Ni Vanua O Lau and Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita M...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Police special constable charged with assault
A Special Constable has been charged with one count of Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm after he allegedly assaulted a man in Suva last ...
1 hour ago

Fijians to benefit from faster First Home Initiative Grant processing with new digital portal
In a major step to improve housing services, the Ministry of Housing has launched Fiji’s first digital portal for the First Home Ownership ...
1 hour ago

Evangeline Kumar – from walking the tightrope to now doing solo hair hang act during VOU Fijian Flying Circus
The VOU Fijian Flying Circus now underway in Suva is not only dazzling crowds with flips, drama, juggling, the Fijian village clown and Fijian flair, ...
2 hours ago

China donates $100,000 worth of aid to Lau following Tui Nayau installation
Following the installation of the Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua o Lau, na Tui Lau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, the Ambassador of China to Fiji, Zhou Jian, ...
3 hours ago

Charge against Bainimarama amended in sacked Police officers case
The charge against former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, in the case where he is charged alongside former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho for ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
1 day ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
3 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
6 days ago

TOP