Former Australian Rugby Player Calls New Super Rugby Format 'Ridiculous'

Former Australia rugby player David Campese described the expanded Super Rugby format as "ridiculous, an absolute nightmare and not really viable," according to the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. He expressed "major concerns" about player welfare as the three new teams take the championship to 18 teams and a regular season of 135 matches. Campese "lamented the lack of a Pacific Islands side and predicted financial struggles for teams." He said, "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. It's ridiculous. They're trying to create something that's not really viable" (SMH, 1/26).