THE HEINEKEN CUP and the RaboDirect Pro 12 are set to come under threat from a new global ‘super league,’ with teams from France and England already in discussions with their South African counterparts.
The Guardian reports that the wealthier Northern Hemisphere clubs want to put the professional game on a firmer financial footing and could break away ‘violently,’ according to one Premiership club official.
A proposal is on the table to launch a new World Club Championship, with the best eight non-international sides from both hemispheres competing. This would encompass winners of the Pro12, the Heineken Cup, the Aviva Premiership and the French Top 14 playing the table topping sides from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the Super 15 champions.
What this would mean for the current British, Irish and European competitions is not yet crystal clear, though it does reflect the frustration of those that believe the Heineken Cup – in its current guise – is capable of generating far more than its current turnover of €50million.
“From an English and French clubs’ point of view the Heineken Cup is a growing competition but it is essentially controlled by the unions and played by the clubs,” said an anonymous club figure.
“There are some English and French clubs who do not regard that as an ideal situation. There is also a growing weariness in South Africa with Sanzar [South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby]. They feel they’re at a playing disadvantage by constantly having to travel and, despite having more commercial pulling power, do not get a proportionally bigger share of the revenue. They feel South Africa is subsidising Australia and New Zealand, which are relatively small markets.”
