Hold firm in Super Rugby talks, Hansen tells NZ

WELLINGTON • Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen urged his former employers to be strong in their negotiations over the future of Super Rugby and that New Zealand Rugby (NZR) owed trans-Tasman neighbours Australia no favours.

Tensions between the organisations ratcheted up last week, with Rugby Australia (RA) chairman Hamish McLennan saying he felt that the relationship had deteriorated to one of a "master-servant".

Hansen, who spent almost 16 years with the All Blacks, however, said he felt NZR should be doing what was best for its rugby players. "Without being controversial, we have been looking after the Aussies for years," he told Stuff Media yesterday.

"And every time we have required something from them, particularly at a high level, sometimes they have gone missing.

"Do we owe them something? No. But because we are the nation we are, and we care about the game more than just ourselves, we bend and buckle a bit.

"I think NZ Rugby are in the mood for having strong discussions because they only get one shot at it."

Much of the fallout has centred on the composition of Super Rugby from next year, with both countries reportedly keen on exploring a trans-Tasman competition rather than reverting to a tournament that involves teams from South Africa and Argentina as well.

McLennan told the Australian media last week that a leaked report suggested NZR's preferred option was to have just two or three Australian sides in a trans-Tasman competition.

It sparked talk that Australia could proceed alone and devise its own domestic competition, even while there is an appetite on both sides to work together.

Hansen said what was most important was not to dilute New Zealand's player pool with more than five teams and to minimise travel for the welfare of the players.

"You have got to start with 'what do you want out of it?' Rather than, 'OK, we are going to have this competition'," he said.

"It has to be really competitive and produce world-class players. If you allow it to become watered-down, there is too big a gap between Super Rugby and Test rugby."

REUTERS