Crusaders win reignites north-south debate

REACTION: The Crusaders' win over the Highlanders at the weekend has reignited the debate around the quality of major competitions in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.

The Crusaders' 32-22 win over the Highlanders in Christchurch at the weekend saw the 10-time Super Rugby champions claim the inaugural SR Aotearoa title.

Commentator James Gemmell sent a tweet suggesting the domestic competition, Super Rugby Aotearoa, is on another level to anything he has seen before.

Gemmell wrote: “Having lived in the UK for 12 years now, and having covered every major club rugby competition in the world, I firmly believe #SuperRugbyAotearoa 2020 has produced consistently the highest quality rugby I’ve ever seen.”

It didn’t take long for Gemmell’s tweet to take-off, with All Black legend Sean Fitzpatrick and Ireland international Jamie Heaslip among those adding their voice to the discussion.

Heaslip questioned whether the European Champions Cup winners would ‘stand a chance’, others argued that the lack of relegation in Super Rugby Aotearoa invited more open, attacking play, while some felt the competition lacks the atmosphere seen across the Champions Cup.

The competition has produced a number of brilliant games, and Gemmell wasn’t alone in his belief that it has been unmatched in terms of consistent, high-quality games.