NZ Rugby weighs replacing Super Rugby with domestic league

New Zealand Rugby is preparing to consider replacing both Super Rugby Pacific and the NPC with a new eight-to-10 team national competition from 2028, according to a confidential document circulated to stakeholders ahead of a summit in Wellington on Thursday. The document, titled "Rugby Summit: Men's Elite Competition Possible Options," was obtained by a Wellington-based newspaper and outlines three restructuring proposals for the men's elite game. Under the most far-reaching option, a domestic competition run by provincial unions would replace both existing competitions, with rugby below that level effectively becoming amateur. Each team would receive between NZ$8 million and NZ$10 million for player payments, and New Zealand Rugby would supply licences to the unions, potentially opening the door to private investment. The other two options are less drastic. One would expand Super Rugby Pacific by adding two New Zealand teams, requiring agreement from Rugby Australia.