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Super Rugby is set to return to a 12-team format. The changes see the involvement of existing Australian, and New Zealand teams, but not Los Jaguares.
According to Gregor Paul, there are to be five teams from each of Australia, and New Zealand. These sides would mirror the teams from the respective COVID-19 motivated Super Rugby competitions within the respective countries this year.
Australia’s five teams will be the Brumbies (Canberra), Rebels (Melbourne), Reds (Brisbane), Waratahs (Sydney), and Western Force (Perth). The Western Force have recruited Tomás Cubelli, and Julián Montoya for 2021. Other Pumas have been linked to the Force.
New Zealand’s five teams will be the Blues (Auckland), Crusaders (Christchurch), Chiefs (Hamilton), Highlanders (Dunedin), and Hurricanes (Wellington).
Gregor Paul notes that Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia have agreed to the format. It will see the aforementioned franchises joined by Pasifika Moana and Fiji. The former is to be based in Auckland.
Travel restrictions will need to end in order for the altered Super Rugby competition to go ahead. With or without this Los Jaguares will not be involved.
Also absent are South Africa’s franchises. The Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers are looking north. The four teams will not continue in Super Rugby. Their future will be in the Celtic-Italian League, the Pro 14. The Cheetahs and Kings have departed, making the new format a Pro 16.
Los Jaguares have lost players to foreign teams. The player exodus has seen eleven of the starters from the 2019 Super Rugby Final depart Los Jaguares. Props Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Santiago Medrano, N8 Javier Ortega Desio, and fullback Emiliano Boffelli are the exceptions. Notwithstanding, Medrano is linked to the Western Force and Boffelli to Racing 92.
Players from the replacements that day have also departed Argentina. Some have also done so from Los Ceibos. The playing future of Los Jaguares may been associated with Los Ceibos. The Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) has confirmed it would welcome the Argentine Super Rugby franchise into their competition.
