Rennie believes SA teams are important for Super Rugby

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie believes South Africa’s inclusion in Super Rugby is imperative to the tournament’s competitiveness.

After speculation that teams might be axed from Super Rugby in order to improve the quality of the competition many suggestions from pundits the world over have been made with some suggesting that Australian and New Zealand sides should go at it alone and ditch South African teams from Super Rugby.

This would mean avoiding trans-Indian Ocean travel and some arguing that South African sides are not competitive enough.

The two-time Super Rugby winning coach stated that South African Super Rugby teams deserve their place,

“The only ones saying it should be an Australasian competition are the Australians,” Rennie told reporters.

“In the end, that’s what makes Super Rugby special. You travel to the Republic. I think the reason the All Blacks are successful against South Africa is because you’ve got guys coming here and playing at altitude and so on.

“It’ll be a disaster if South African teams weren’t involved in Super Rugby.

“I know they’re trying to fatten it (Super Rugby) out a bit. They’ve brought in the Jaguares and the Sunwolves, but you want to make sure that this is a premium competition in the world.

Rennie, however, isn’t opposed to the idea that some teams are cut, arguing that it will strengthen teams, particularly in Australia who often bolster their squads with South Africans and New Zealanders.

“There will be a couple of teams culled, I think. It would make those countries stronger. South Africa and Australia losing one side would be better for those countries long-term.

“The Australian sides are propped up by a lot of Africans and Kiwis.”