Toby Flood argues that New Zealand rugby teams have been most affected by the inclusion of South African teams in the United Rugby Championship, leading to weaker opposition and diluted domestic competition. Seen here: Scott Robertson, then coach of Crusaders (centre) and Israel Dagg (right) celebrate winning the 2017 Super Rugby Final against the Lions at Ellis Park. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
While there has been plenty of criticism about all the extra travel involved with the South African teams being a part of the United Rugby Championship (URC), former England flyhalf Toby Flood believes New Zealand has been affected most by the competition.
In the 2021/2022 season, SA teams entered the URC - formerly the Pro14 - for the first time.
Since the SA sides debuted, only the Stormers (2021/2022) have won the title but have had a representative in the final every season since.
With the departure of the SA teams from Super Rugby, it’s the Kiwis who have suffered by facing weaker opposition, believed Flood.
“It's not easy for the players to cope with all the travelling. However, the biggest impact is the knock-on effect it has had in New Zealand,” Flood told BettingLounge.
“New Zealand teams are now only going to Australia to play, meaning they lack exposure to the sheer physical challenge of playing South African sides. It has diluted the domestic game in the Southern Hemisphere.”
The scheduling of the URC has always been the main bone of contention, as it means a whole lot more travelling with teams from South Africa, Ireland, Wales, Italy, and Scotland.
It’s often meant that the SA teams who do the most travelling, often select sides that are seen as weaker as the first-choice players have to be rested strategically throughout the long season.
“I have no issue with South Africa joining the URC - it's great for the URC - but it has undermined the level of competition New Zealand is currently getting.