With the Western Force's exit following the Sunwolves before them, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham argues the contraction shouldn't just be mourned — it should be leveraged. His view is that fewer, stronger franchises could actually lift the competition's overall quality and competitiveness.
The piece explores whether Super Rugby's repeated pruning is a structural failure or a chance to reset the competition on firmer foundations. Worth reading if you're following the debate around what a leaner Super Rugby format means for South African franchises and their place in the global calendar.