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TheSuper Round, also referred to as theSuper Round Melbourne (2022–2024),[1][2] is an event in theSuper Rugby Pacific in which all fixtures for one round of the season are organised to be played at one venue. This event is in contrast with the rest of the regular season, which is played in a home-and-away format. With theoriginal idea stemming from theEnglishSuper League (rugby league) in the late2000s, the concept was introduced by theAustralian-basedNational Rugby League (rugby league) for their2019 season before being introduced into theSuper Rugby Pacific for theirinaugural season (2022).
Following the axing ofMelbourne-basedSuper Rugby franchise, theRebels, and the expiry of the events hosting in Melbourne, it was revealed in late 2024 thatSuper Round would be dropped for thefollowing season (2025).[3] However it is expected to return for2026.[4][5]
Although originating inEngland'sSuper League competition,[6] the concept was "owned" byNew Zealand Rugby (NZR).[7] New Zealand Rugby licensed out the concept to Australian events company TEG Sport (owned byTicketek),[7][8] whom in turn negotiated a two-year deal withVictoria'sstate government-owned tourism and events company, Visit Victoria,[9] to bring the event toMelbourne.[7] The event was also made possible from thestate government's "Major Events Fund" initiative.[10] AllNew Zealand teams who had to surrender home games were reportedly given a flat fee of aboutA$300,000 in compensation for lost gate revenue.[7][11]
TheSuper Round was heavily criticised byThe New Zealand Herald upon its first year for its location (Melbourne, 2022–2024) and its low attendances.[11][12] Calling the event a "flop" and "ill-conceived",[11][12] the publication pointed out the conflict between hosting the event in a city dominated by sport,[13] particularly the local sport ofAustralian rules football,[14] which hosts ten of theAustralian Football League's (AFL) eighteen professional teams. Speaking on theBreakfast with Baz & Izzyradio show, formerNew Zealand fullbackIsrael Dagg praised theSuper Round idea and also criticised the event for its poor attendances and location.Dagg also mentionedPerth,Western Australia as a more attractive location to host the event.[15] In 2023, Australian sports website,The Roar, called the concept a "winner" but had "far more potential than what has been delivered so far."[16]
| Year | Stadium | Location | Days | Total attendance | Avg attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (AAMI Park) | Olympic Boulevard,Victoria,Australia | 3[a] | 30,000 | 10,000 | [19] |
| 2023 | 3 | 26,400 (confirmed)[b] | Unknown[b] | [20] | ||
| 2024 | 3 | 32,152 | 10,717 | [21][22] | ||
| 2025 | Not held | |||||
New Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley will oversee an extended 16-round regular season in 2025, with the finals series moving from eight teams to six to ensure a more competitive season. There will be no Super Round next year, but the concept is set to return in 2026.
The Super Round concept has failed to gain a foothold in Melbourne's AFL heartland, with poor crowds undermining the first two events. With the Rebels unlikely to feature next year, Brisbane, Perth or Auckland could be asked to step in as hosts if the Super Round is retained beyond this year.
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