Super Round Explained

The Super Round, also referred to as the Super Round Melbourne (2022–2024),[1] [2] is an event in the Super Rugby Pacific in which all fixtures for one round of the season are organised to be played at one venue. This event is in contrast with the rest of the regular season, which is played in a home-and-away format. With the original idea stemming from the English Super League (rugby league) in the late 2000s, the concept was introduced by the Australian-based National Rugby League (rugby league) for their 2019 season before being introduced into the Super Rugby Pacific for their inaugural season (2022).

Following the axing of Melbourne-based Super Rugby franchise, the Rebels, and the expiry of the events hosting in Melbourne, it was revealed in late 2024 that Super Round would be dropped for the following season (2025).[3] However it is expected to return for 2026.[4] [5]

Background and reception

Although originating in England's Super League competition,[6] the concept was "owned" by New Zealand Rugby (NZR).[7] New Zealand Rugby licensed out the concept to Australian events company TEG Sport (owned by Ticketek),[7] [8] whom in turn negotiated a two-year deal with Victoria's state government-owned tourism and events company, Visit Victoria,[9] to bring the event to Melbourne.[7] The event was also made possible from the state government's "Major Events Fund" initiative.[10] All New Zealand teams who had to surrender home games were reportedly given a flat fee of about A$300,000 in compensation for lost gate revenue.[7] [11]

Reception

The Super Round was heavily criticised by The New Zealand Herald upon its first year for its location (Melbourne, 2022–2024) and its low attendances.[11] [12] Calling the event a "flop" and "ill-conceived",[11] [12] the publication pointed out the conflict between hosting the event in a city dominated by sport,[13] particularly the local sport of Australian rules football,[14] which hosts ten of the Australian Football League's (AFL) eighteen professional teams. Speaking on the Breakfast with Baz & Izzy radio show, former New Zealand fullback Israel Dagg praised the Super Round idea and also criticised the event for its poor attendances and location. Dagg also mentioned Perth, Western Australia as a more attractive location to host the event.[15] In 2023, Australian sports website, The Roar, called the concept a "winner" but had "far more potential than what has been delivered so far."[16]

List of Super Rounds

YearStadiumLocationDaysTotal attendance attendance
2022Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
(AAMI Park)		Olympic Boulevard, Victoria, Australia330,00010,000[17]
2023326,400 (confirmed)[18]
2024332,15210,717[19] [20]
2025

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AAMI Park To Host Rugby Super Round . live . aamipark.com.au . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220311081544/https://aamipark.com.au/news/aami-park-to-host-rugby-super-round/ . 11 March 2022 .
  2. Web site: Super Round Returns to Melbourne in February 2024 . live . super.rugby . SANZAAR . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320134453/https://super.rugby/superrugby/super-round/ . 20 March 2023 .
  3. News: Tora . Iliesa . 13 September 2024 . 'Fans front of mind' in new format for Super Rugby Pacific . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240914110212/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/527942/fans-front-of-mind-in-new-format-for-super-rugby-pacific . 14 September 2024 .
  4. News: Drennan . Jonathan . 30 September 2024 . Super Rugby draw gives Waratahs’ ‘galacticos’ golden chance to hit the ground running . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240930162115/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/super-rugby-draw-gives-waratahs-galacticos-golden-chance-to-hit-the-ground-running-20240930-p5kekh.html . 30 September 2024 . New Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley will oversee an extended 16-round regular season in 2025, with the finals series moving from eight teams to six to ensure a more competitive season. There will be no Super Round next year, but the concept is set to return in 2026. .
  5. News: Doran . Christy . 30 September 2024 . REVEALED: McKellar's Waratahs given dream start in new draw, Super Round shelved in 2025 . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240930162557/https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/09/30/revealed-waratahs-given-dream-run-in-new-draw-super-round-shelved-in-2025/ . 30 September 2024 .
  6. News: Proszenko . Adrian . NSW keen to poach Magic Round from Queensland . . . 9 May 2019 .
  7. News: Robinson . Georgina . 25 April 2022 . Hits and misses but Super Round worth a second shot . live . The Sydney Morning Herald . Nine Entertainment . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427023143/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/hits-and-misses-but-super-round-worth-a-second-shot-20220424-p5afp7.html . 27 April 2022 .
  8. Web site: 11 August 2023 . Super Round Melbourne Bound Again . live . super.rugby . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230817222458/https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/super-round-melbourne-bound-again/ . 17 August 2023 .
  9. Web site: About Visit Victoria . live . corporate.visitvictoria.com . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180319120004/https://corporate.visitvictoria.com/about . 19 March 2018 .
  10. Web site: 15 November 2021 . Super Round Melbourne – Victoria Scores Rugby Blockbuster . live . premier.vic.gov.au . . https://web.archive.org/web/20231211160250/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/super-round-melbourne-victoria-scores-rugby-blockbuster . 11 December 2023 .
  11. News: Napier . Liam . 27 April 2022 . The Sauce with Liam Napier: The real cost of Super Rugby's ill-conceived 'super round' . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220430130533/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/the-sauce-with-liam-napier-the-real-cost-of-super-rugbys-ill-conceived-super-round/P2CR27PI7APX6LZ5KLZ5JKOGAY/ . 30 April 2022 . subscription .
  12. News: 29 April 2022 . Tight Five with Elliott Smith: The surprise halfback who could be an All Blacks bolter . live . The New Zealand Herald . New Zealand Media and Entertainment . https://web.archive.org/web/20220508100405/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/tight-five-with-elliott-smith-the-surprise-halfback-who-could-be-an-all-blacks-bolter/OOKXIUPGSTTS7SV7ZTLT7DZ5XM/ . 8 May 2022 . subscription .
  13. News: 21 April 2016 . Melbourne named world's sporting capital . live . The Sydney Morning Herald . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180318141846/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/melbourne-named-worlds-sporting-capital-20160421-gobebk.html . 18 March 2018 .
  14. News: Napier . Liam . 27 February 2024 . Former Super Rugby Pacific contender emerges as potential Rebels replacement next year . live . The New Zealand Herald . New Zealand Media and Entertainment . https://web.archive.org/web/20240420103911/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/former-super-rugby-pacific-contender-emerges-as-potential-rebels-replacement-next-year/FAGQRT5FZFESJE4V5ADMGCACPU/ . 20 April 2024 . The Super Round concept has failed to gain a foothold in Melbourne’s AFL heartland, with poor crowds undermining the first two events. With the Rebels unlikely to feature next year, Brisbane, Perth or Auckland could be asked to step in as hosts if the Super Round is retained beyond this year. .
  15. Dagg, Israel (co-host) . 25 April 2022 . 'The audience was poor'. Izzy believes the location of the Super Round was its biggest problem . . .
  16. News: Parkes . Geoff . 5 March 2023 . The Wrap: Another Super Rugby Round of hits and frustrating misses . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230312202406/https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/03/06/the-wrap-another-super-rugby-round-of-hits-and-frustrating-misses/ . 12 March 2023 .
  17. Web site: 19 September 2022 . Super Round Melbourne Returns in 2023 . live . super.rugby . SANZAAR . https://web.archive.org/web/20221204144852/https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/super-round-melbourne-returns-in-2023/ . 4 December 2022 .
  18. News: Snape . Jack . 2 March 2024 . Debts and debacle cloud rugby’s Super Round, but 10,582 find reason for hope . live . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311154547/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/mar/01/debts-and-debacle-cloud-rugbys-super-round-but-10582-find-reason-for-hope . 11 March 2024 .
  19. Web site: McKay . Brett . 7 March 2024 . Where next for Super Rugby Pacific's 'Super Round'? . live . Rugbypass . https://web.archive.org/web/20240930205658/https://www.rugbypass.com/plus/where-next-for-super-rugbys-super-round/ . 30 September 2024 .
  20. Web site: Super Rugby: Chiefs d Brumbies – Hurricanes d Reds . live . austadiums.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20240308124536/https://www.austadiums.com/sport/event/28872 . 8 March 2024 .

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