NZ Rugby has an unlikely ally in Aussie Super Rugby stoush – Eddie Jones – Stuff.co.nz

OPINION:Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan is playing a high-stakes game of brinkmanship with New Zealand Rugby over his desire to have five Australian teams in a trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition in 2021.
The noise may not be necessary. As Stuff reported on Thursday, NZ Rugby’s Aratipu review into the competition regards an eight-team format as the gold-plated version, but the 10-team version is still an option.
Eddie Jones backs the concept of three Australian Super Rugby teams. ‘As the national team coach you want your best players playing together,’ he said in May.
However, if NZ Rugby does hold firm with Aratipu’s eight-team vision for the competition, it has a significant Australian ally in Eddie Jones.
Jones, one of the sharpest minds in the world game, has long recommended that Australia cut one or two teams from its five-team model, and reiterated that stance as recently as May.
READ MORE:* Master-servant: Aussie boss Hamish McLennan blasts NZ Super Rugby plan* Eddie Jones urges Australia to cut Super Rugby teams to help Wallabies* Rob Penney’s warning to New Zealand Rugby over Aussie relationship * Ex-All Black Dan Carter’s return to tiny club sends big message to NZ Rugby
Jones rationale is simple. Three teams would help the Wallabies win more games and Australians love a winner.
As the national team coach you want your best players playing together, so thats having three

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