Campo: Super Rugby a ‘total mess’

David Campese says the new Super Rugby format is unfeasible and 'ridiculous'.

The former Wallabies wing believes Sanzar has not taken into account the impact the new format will have on players, just in terms of travelling requirements alone.

‘It’s ridiculous. They’re trying to create something that’s not really viable,” Campese told PlanetRugby.com. ‘Realistically it’s just going to be an absolute nightmare. There doesn’t seem to be any thought going into the players’ welfare about the travelling. No one seems to know. It’s an absolute mess.’

Campese also commented on the financial strain the expanded format is taking on teams in terms of supporting the new format as well as meeting financial requirements to players.

‘A couple of teams in Australia are running out of money and are up against it with other major sports. You have to win, but you have to win with a bit of style to get people to come back and watch, which is frustrating,’ he said.

‘It’s the professional era and they’re trying to play a bit like football, but they haven't got the wages to pay them [the players] like footballers have they? It’s a total mess. That’s why players [from South Africa] go to Europe, because obviously the rand isn’t great. They’re all in Europe and I wonder why …'

He was also confused as to why a Japanese side was included.

‘Money’s great, but on the other hand if you want to [increase the] competition why not bring in the Pacific Islands as well? Why have you got to go to Japan? The Japanese team are going to have, I think, half a team of foreigners – how is that good for Japanese rugby?

‘It's a total mess and I think something major is going to happen to make them [Sanzar] change their mind.’

Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images