Does the Rugby Championship compare to the Six Nations?
Another intense round of the European tournament took place over the weekend, where Ireland maintained their stranglehold over world rugby with a 32-19 victory over France, Scotland thumped Wales 35-7 and England bounced back to beat Italy 31-14.
But while the northern competition continues to heat up, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina are yet to have their first hit out of 2023.
When asked on SENZ Breakfast whether the Six Nations makes the Rugby Championship look like a “second-rate” competition, host Tony Kemp responded: “I think it does.
“I got thinking about it while I was watching the game and you’ve got Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa playing in the Rugby Championship and the Six Nations, I think on the back of the European competition, is leading us down the drain.
“We think we’re playing and preparing down here with our Super Rugby and Championship to get ready to play on this World Cup (but) I think we’re well behind the eight ball.”
Former All Black Israel Dagg also believes New Zealand Rugby needs to work with the other Championship nations to add more countries to the mix, adding more competition to the mix to prepare for the World Cup.
“We’ve got to start adding teams in,” Dagg said.
“We’ve got to start adding some of these teams to be a part of the competition down here.
“That is the premier competition up in the north and the reason why is they’ve obviously got real buy-in from the clubs and access to all the players over in the north.”
Dagg says nations including Fiji and Japan should be considered as additional teams in the Championship.
“If I think of a solution and you’re able to add teams to the competition down here … first couple of teams that spring to mind (are) we need to have someone from the Pacific and the team that comes to mind is Fiji,” Dagg added.
“The Fijian team, the Fijian players … their top players are all playing around the globe. Most of them are playing up in France, up in the north and then you’ve got a couple that are playing in Super Rugby.
“You think of another team (and) you look at Japan, you have to get Japan in this competition.
“We know that, you know that, the NZR haven’t gotten into bed with them yet but we’d love to see Japan a part of that competition, knowing what they’ve done the last couple of years under Jamie Joseph.”
The Six Nations moves into Round 3 this weekend while Super Rugby Pacific is still two weeks out from its opening match of 2023.
Sign up for the SENZ Super Rugby Tipping competition here. or below 👇
