Brent Impey (Getty Images)

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chairperson Brent Impey has explained why a Pacific Islands team will not take part in next year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa event.

NZR announced on Thursday that its five franchises would again compete for the Aotearoa title next year, with the possibility of a final being added. A cross-over tournament involving Australian teams could also follow.

The rugby governing body said it would look to add teams to Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2022. It has reportedly received four bids, including two from Pasifika organisations – one out of Hawaii and one based in the Counties Manukau region – and a China-backed Bay of Plenty-based bid. The Perth-based Western Force could also join the competition.

On Friday, when probed on why a Pacific Islands teams would not join as early as 2021, Impey said the franchise wouldn’t have been ready.

“The board wasn’t satisfied at this point that any of the applicants were able to put a team or provide the necessary financial backing to satisfy. The last thing we want is for any team to come in and get smashed,” he said, as quoted by New Zealand’s Stuff website.

“Yes, there were parties that wanted licences for 2021, but we considered that, both on-field and off-field, none were ready.

“There is work to be done on them. We want to make sure, first, teams can be competitive on the field, and as far as off-field is concerned, they’ve got to be self-sustaining.

“We’re heading towards a multi-million-dollar loss, and we cannot afford to be subsidising any new teams that come in. So for 2022 … that buys a little more time for teams to get rosters and coaching setup right.”

– Compiled by Sport24 staff