Daniel Herbert, the chairman of Rugby Australia, considers the level of skill, entertainment, and competitiveness exhibited in Super Rugby this year to be unparalleled throughout the tournament’s 30-year span.
The ex-Wallaby center who has won the World Cup typically doesn’t boast, but Herbert felt driven to speak out following another weekend of matches in the Super Rugby Pacific.
So far this season, the quality of the competition has been highly praised. Statistics indicate that the average points scored per game have reached an all-time high. Furthermore, the average margin of victory is among the smallest recorded in history.
However, Herbert thinks that the beginning of the 2025 season not only ranks among the finest witnessed in Super Rugby history since its inception in 1996 but stands as the pinnacle.
I simply believe it's the finest the competition has ever appeared," Herbert stated. "Everyone from my era tends to recall past times when these events took place. It's quite evident that we've never witnessed football or rugby at such an impressive level before.
Given the numerous impressive teams and performances over the last thirty years in Super Rugby, this assertion stands out as significant. However, Herbert, who played throughout much of the tournament’s initial ten-year span with Queensland in 120 matches, feels that today's level of competitiveness and aggressive playing style has reached "a peak never seen before."
"If you consider the history of this competition, we've consistently seen teams perform strongly...especially early on," Herbert stated.
The Brumbies were dashing about during the 1997-98 season with a brand of rugby that was quite novel at the time. Whenever the Hurricanes fielded Lomu, Cullen, and Umaga in their back three, it was truly spectacular. And then there’s the brilliance of the Reds from 2010-11, followed by the remarkable victory of the Waratahs in 2014.
But I don't believe we've ever witnessed such balanced competition before, particularly with all Australian teams excelling simultaneously. We're seeing a brand of rugby that hasn't been consistently demonstrated by every team until now. The athletes are displaying a proficiency we haven't observed in quite a while. Each player seems emboldened by a spirit of exploration facilitated by the recent rule changes, which favour an offensive approach. Additionally, the officials have done an outstanding job officiating these matches.
Herbert’s daring proposition is sure to ignite discussion and likely provoke some raised eyebrows, particularly amid this season when Australian teams are generally excelling. Only three times before—first in 1999 and then again in 2022—have three Australian sides—the Brumbies, the Reds, and the Waratahs—been positioned within the top five following just five rounds of play in Super Rugby history.
Supporters of New Zealand sides located in the lower portion might disagree with Herbert as well. However, he feels that the competitiveness of the tournament is among the primary reasons for raising its status.
"The match between the Chiefs and Blues from yesterday was incredible. Additionally, several top-notch games involving New Zealand teams have also taken place," Herbert mentioned.
They may not be as dominant as they used to be, which is beneficial for the competition.
There’s still ample time ahead; let me clarify that. We definitely aren’t jinxing anything, yet I believe the contest has never been more intense. It’s thrilling, neck-and-neck, showcasing top-tier talent, with everyone adopting an aggressive approach. This level of quality hasn’t been matched since day one.
Crowds still fall short of the impressive numbers seen during Super Rugby's early years, yet Herbert thinks attendance figures will recover over time.
Reducing to four teams in Australia after the closure of the Rebels last year seems to play a significant role, alongside the redistribution of players enhancing the strength of each team. While Herbert chose not to comment—due to the ongoing legal disagreement between the Rebels and RA—the chairman stated that the enhancement in coaching quality has been pivotal for Australia’s progress.
"He mentioned how top-tier rugby nations like Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa understand the importance of having good coaches. We've also seen the benefit of bringing in experienced Super Rugby mentors," he explained.
You can observe that Australia currently has four teams which are exceptionally well-coached. This is evident. While the distribution of talent may play a role, I believe that robust coaching is truly behind this.
Herbert feels optimistic about the "momentum" in Australian rugby due to the Wallabies' spring tour, the strong showing of Australian teams in Super Rugby, and several high-profile players extending their contracts lately.
People are noticing our progress and making commitments," he stated. "A year back, when asked about this, I mentioned, 'I wished the Lions were scheduled for next year since I believe we could be among the leading teams globally by 2027'.
“However, if we maintain this intense enthusiasm, I am quite hopeful for the coming years.”
