Super Rugby Aotearoa named the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa for sponsorship purposes[1] was a professional men's rugby union national club competition in New Zealand. Originally created to supplement the 2020 Super Rugby season, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament continued in 2021, with a competition being confirmed later that year, including 12 teams in a brand new competition named Super Rugby Pacific.
Current season, competition or edition: 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season | |
 Official Logo | |
| Sport | Rugby Union |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| First season | 2020 |
| Ceased | 2021 |
| Owner(s) | SANZAAR |
| CEO | Greg Peters |
| Divisions | New Zealand |
| No. of teams | 5 |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Last champion(s) | Crusaders (2nd title) (2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season) |
| Most titles | Crusaders (2 titles) |
| TV partner(s) | Digicel ESPN ESPN International Nine Network RugbyPass Sky Sport Stan Sport SuperSport Telefónica Wowow |
| Sponsor(s) | Sky |
| Related competitions | Super Rugby Super Rugby AU Super Rugby Unlocked Mitre 10 Cup |
| Official website | SuperRugby.com |
In its first season, the tournament was a 10-week round robin tournament played by the five New Zealand-based teams of Super Rugby[2] However, for 2021, the tournament had an additional final between the two highest placed teams in the tournament, with a finals system being used by the similarly created Super Rugby AU tournament in Australia.[3]
Law adaptions edit
On 2 June, New Zealand Rugby announced that it would implement two optional law trials being offered by World Rugby,[4] including a golden point format for extra time, and that players who receive a red card can be substituted after 20 minutes. It was also stated that referees would be stricter in applying laws for breakdowns to increase the pace of play.[5]
Broadcasters edit
Super Rugby Aotearoa is shown by the following broadcasters:
Corporate relations edit
Sponsorship edit
The 2020 tournament was run by Rugby New Zealand with the sponsorship of Foxtel which provided television coverage on its Fox Sports channels with Sky (New Zealand) being the naming rights sponsor. Gilbert is the official supplier of all rugby balls.
Merchandising edit
Official match-day attire together with other club merchandise is sold through the Super Rugby Aotearoa's stores and website as well as through the clubs and some retailers.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa Draw Announced". NZ Rugby. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Super Rugby Aotearoa draw and 'experimental' rules". Otago Daily Times. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa draw announced". Super Rugby NZ. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "World Rugby creates access to optional domestic law trials to further reduce COVID-19 risk". World Rugby. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "Golden point, red card replacements introduced in Super Rugby Aotearoa". www.rugby.com.au. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.