NZ Rugby and Rugby Australia are poised to agreed on a new landmark seven-year deal for Super Rugby Pacific, securing the competition's future through to 2030.
After months of back and forth, Newshub understands rugby officials on both sides of the Tasman have finally reached common ground to lock in the competition's future.
The new deal will be in place from 2024 onwards and will offer financial certainty to both unions.
Rugby Australia had threatened to walk away from Super Rugby and form its own domestic competition when the current deal expires next year, unless it was offered an even share of broadcast revenue.
NZR's broadcast deal is worth roughly $70 million more per year than Rugby Australia's.
Newshub understands the newly minted deal won't see the two unions split revenue, but a hybrid model will be introduced, giving RA a greater slice of the revenue share, if it negotiates a more lucrative broadcast deal next year.
RA is reportedly confident of making that happen.
SANZAAR will also cease control of the competition, and Newshub understands an independent board will be established to run Super Rugby on an interim basis in 2023 and a full-time basis from 2024.
NZR and RA will both have seats on the board, with independent appointees and player representation making up the other members.
The new structure is hoped to give the competition a fresh look and feel, as its future finally gets the certainty it needs.
