Rugby: two Pacific franchises to join RA and NZR's new Super Rugby Pacific competition from 2022

Rugby Australia (RA) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR), the Australian and New Zealand rugby federations, are joining forces to launch Super Rugby Pacific from 2022, announced the two bodies on 31/08/2021.

The new competition, which will kick off on 18/02/2022, will feature 12 teams and will welcome two Pacific franchises - Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika - to join the five Australian and five New Zealand franchises. The new format replaces the previous involving, among others, South African franchises, who have decided to join the Guinness Pro14 (see below).

"Subject to New Zealand Rugby (NZR) board approval and key conditions being met, the international federation's executive committee has approved a £1.2m (€1.4m) annual funding package for an initial three-year period to support the two franchises, Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika(...) to help facilitate two teams joining Super Rugby from 2022," said the body on 24/03/2021. "Both franchises will also be supported by their respective unions and private equity funding."

Super Rugby: four South African franchises have joined the Pro14 since…