Sir Graham Henry urges NZ Rugby to embrace and support new Pasifika entry

Ex-All Blacks coach, Sir Graham Henry has put the heat on NZ Rugby to accept a Pasifika team into a revamped competition and then wrap a security blanket around it.

Henry is adamant a fresh tournament to replace the old Super Rugby model should comprise a side that enables players with Pacific Island heritage to play in a professional competition.

While NZ Rugby has yet to confirm whether it will stick with the Super Rugby Aotearoa format that replaced the old Super Rugby model after lockdown, or will introduce a new competition involving Australian teams, Henry believes a Pasifika side must be included.

NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson has confirmed there have been eight expressions of interest, including the existing five New Zealand teams, for the new competition.

The five Kiwi teams and an Auckland-based Pasifika entry would enable a six-team domestic competition, probably to be played over three rounds and followed by a finals format, to be launched in 2021.

[Source: Stuff.co.nz]