Super Rugby Aotearoa named the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa for sponsorship purposes[1] was a professional men's rugby union national club competition in New Zealand. Originally created to supplement the 2020 Super Rugby season, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament continued in 2021, with a competition being confirmed later that year, including 12 teams in a brand new competition named Super Rugby Pacific.
In its first season, the tournament was a 10-week round robin tournament played by the five New Zealand–based teams of Super Rugby.[2] However, for 2021, the tournament had an additional final between the two highest placed teams in the tournament, with a finals system being used by the similarly created Super Rugby AU tournament in Australia.[3]
Law adaptions
On 2 June, New Zealand Rugby announced that it would implement two optional law trials being offered by World Rugby,[4] including a golden point format for extra time, and that players who receive a red card can be substituted after 20 minutes. It was also stated that referees would be stricter in applying laws for breakdowns to increase the pace of play.[5]
Broadcasters
Super Rugby Aotearoa is shown by the following broadcasters:
Official match-day attire together with other club merchandise is sold through the Super Rugby Aotearoa's stores and website as well as through the clubs and some retailers.
