Rugby: New Zealand says Super Rugby must 'adapt quickly' after South Africa bombshell

WELLINGTON - New Zealand's rugby union called for a rapid reaction on Wednesday as South Africa pulled most of its teams out of Super Rugby, effectively ending the once-admired southern hemisphere competition after 25 years.

"SARU has signalled for some time now they were looking at aligning with the northern hemisphere season," Robinson said in a statement. Super Rugby, long criticised as unwieldy, had planned to cut down to 14 teams from 15 next year, by kicking out Japan's Sunwolves. But this season was halted by the coronavirus, prompting New Zealand, Australia and South Africa to go it alone with domestic tournaments.

South Africa said the world champion Springboks remained committed to Sanzaar's four-nation Rugby Championship, whose scheduling has sparked complaints by the All Blacks as their players face spending Christmas in quarantine. "Our members are excited about the prospect of closer alignment with PRO Rugby and seeking a northern hemisphere future," said SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux.

Through 25 years of Super Rugby, South Africans have had to watch matches from New Zealand and Japan before breakfast, from Australia in mid-morning and from Argentina after midnight.

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