Look, before we go any further, it has to be acknowledged that this is conceptual thinking, and its proponent recognises that it is radical.
But, let’s go back to the motivation for this kind of thinking: the dire straits that rugby finds itself in, and the growing asset base and ambition of the NRL that is ruffling feathers even in New Zealand.
Summer clashes between the Bulls and Stormers have drawn huge crowds in South Africa.Credit: AAP
And not once since professionalism has ‘the international game will save us’ argument looked less convincing, with Wales in obvious financial distress and World Rugby almost institutionally incapable of making the sort of game changes that would suit Australian tastes.
A few years ago I would have been hostile to even contemplate a change of this magnitude, but that was before the South Africans started playing rugby in their summers and I started to see 40,000-50,000 crowds rock up to watch the Stormers and Bulls on warm summer evenings.
The United Rugby Championship in which the South Africans now play has other issues, but their fans have embraced summer rugby with a haste that has probably taken some by surprise.
I am now merely neutral to the summer shift, or at least curious enough to know what some commercial modelling would show.
Certainly, World Rugby and the Six Nations would be doing cartwheels if the two rugby seasons fully lined up and even New Zealand Rugby showed some flexibility when the South Africans were previously trying to move back The Rugby Championship to earlier in the year. (Starting The Rugby Championship in early February, however, is seen as problematic in New Zealand as it would clash with Waitangi Day).
Our insider says: “I believe there is an opportunity for real strategic change if we can look past traditional views and find ways to entertain, excite and engage new fans at a slightly different time of the calendar.
“There are always obstacles … but if we are to turn towards a depressed broadcast market, or the Lions series doesn’t provide the outstanding financial dividend everyone is clinging to, then considering the above benefits I think has real merit.”
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There are warning signs going off everywhere in rugby at the moment. It is little wonder that those with skin in the game are thinking, ‘Adapt or die’.
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