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Australian rugby is enjoying a rare moment near the top.
At the halfway point of the 2025 Super Rugby season, all Australian teams are in the top six, in finals contention.
The Reds are even leading the comp for the first time since 2012. With a Lions tour looming and a home World Cup on the horizon, Aussie rugby is on the rise.
But let’s not kid ourselves. This isn’t a resurgence. It’s a moment. A false dawn.
The current success is real, but it’s built on shaky foundations that won’t last unless we seize the opportunity.
A big part of this early success comes down to the draw. The ladder looks great for Australian teams – but it’s misleading. The Waratahs didn’t leave home for their first three matches and only just played their first game overseas in Round 7. The Reds have only made one trip across the ditch, and the Force are in a similar boat.
Only the Brumbies have had a real taste of New Zealand, with away games in Hamilton and Auckland. In other words, we’ve had a soft run. The real tests are still to come, and how we fare in the next two months will tell us whether this is something real – or just a flattering illusion.
Yes, Australian teams are better. The consolidation of talent after the Rebels’ exit has strengthened rosters across the board. There’s greater depth, more combinations developing, and the overall standard has lifted.
But let’s be honest – we’re still not at the level of the top New Zealand sides.
Part of the reason our squads look stronger right now comes down to something even more temporary.
Right now, we’re benefiting from a rare alignment of rugby stars. With a British and Irish Lions tour next year and a home World Cup not far behind, players have real incentives to stay put.
These are once-in-a-career opportunities – playing the Lions in your own backyard, wearing the gold jersey in a home World Cup – moments that matter more than a short-term payday.
The emotional pull, the career legacy, the chance to be part of something bigger – that’s keeping players in Australia. For now.
But that window will close quickly. Once the Lions tour is over and the World Cup hype fades, the usual forces will return. Overseas clubs with deep pockets will come calling – and without those once-in-a-generation milestones to keep players grounded, many will go.
The talent spike we’re seeing now isn’t sustainable on its own. It’s an aberration – and the decline will come if we don’t act.
So, should we take our Gilbert and go home? No chance. Whether or not an Australian team lifts the trophy this year, we’re already performing better – more competitive, more consistent, and more watchable.
Ryan Smith of the Reds celebrates. (Photo by Chloe Davis/Getty Images)
The next few seasons present a golden opportunity – not just to ride this wave, but to turn it into something lasting.
But momentum alone won’t carry us forward. We need to channel it into a structure that sustains interest, sharpens rivalries, and gives fans and players something real to believe in.
One way to do that? Rethink the structure. Imagine a Super Rugby competition split into two clear conferences – Australia and New Zealand. Teams play each other home and away within their conference, and just once against teams from the other.
The top four from each side make their own finals series, and each conference crowns its own champion. Then, the best from Australia takes on the best from New Zealand in a trans-Tasman final – a true showdown.
It’s a small change, but it would make a massive difference. Every local derby suddenly means more – wins impact finals seeding and the chance to be crowned Australian champions. The semi-finals become must-watch matchups, and we get an all-Aussie conference final every year.
Then, when the best of Australia meets the best of New Zealand in the grand final, it’s not just club v club – it’s a mini Bledisloe, with national pride at stake.
For those worried that the final might not feature the two best teams overall – don’t be. This isn’t some wild experiment. It’s how the Super Bowl works. It’s how the World Series works. The best from each conference face off, and fans rally behind their side because it means something.
Still not convinced? Think of the benefits: more meaningful local matchups, guaranteed Australian finalists every year, and a clear narrative arc that builds toward a trans-Tasman showdown. It keeps fans engaged deep into the season – even if their team’s out, there’s still an Aussie side to back right to the end.
No, this won’t stop French clubs from waving big cheques. But it’s a start. Right now, we’ve got momentum, interest, and a rare alignment of circumstances.
A little structural change to drive up engagement, and this fleeting moment could become a bright new day for Australian rugby.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.