Rugby: SANZAAR rules out Super Rugby changes

Super Rugby teams won't be planning too far into the future, despite SANZAAR insisting the next decade of the competition is firmly locked in.

On Tuesday, the governing body issued a stern denial of speculation regarding changes to Super Rugby, insisting the previously agreed 14-team format will be in place until 2030.

But the COVID-19 crisis could yet force their hand.

Jason Holland's only been the head coach of the Hurricanes since the start of the year but is already excited about a domestic form of Super Rugby.

But with COVID-19 continuing to cripple the sporting world, he's had to temper expectations.

"The last five or six weeks has taught me you can't really prepare too far ahead at the moment." Holland told Newshub.

But that's exactly what the competition's governing body is doing, issuing a blunt retort to speculation over its future, denying any chance of a reformat in the near future.

It said that none of the suggested structures had been agreed by any of the SANZAAR unions, adding it's already sold a 14-team Super Rugby cross-border format as well as the four-team Rugby Championship to broadcasters through until 2030.

"It's not as if it's going in the wrong direction, it's just can we make it better," Holland added.

All Blacks and Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock agrees, encouraging a sweeping review of Super Rugby and its future.

"I think it's a great time for everyone to step back and actually have a look at the competition and see is there a way to improve it or make it better," said Whitelock.

However, the veteran lock concedes they have to get the balance right.

"If you try and please everyone you're going to end up pleasing no one."

While it may yet look different in the future, for now ,COVID-19's stranglehold on the game means any changes will be some time away.

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