Stephen Donald on the Rugby Championship and the competitiveness of Los Pumas: “Eliminating it would be a tragedy”

South Africa was consecrated in Rugby Championship in what could have been the last tournament as it is known, and the former All Blacks figures, Stephen Donald and Mils Muliaina asked for the continuity of the competition. The best of rugby, on Disney+ Premium Plan.

The Rugby Championship will not take place in 2026 due to the tours that New Zealand and South Africa will carry out, although it would return in 2027 with a reduced format and for 2028 the date could change. On The Breakdown podcast, Stephen Donald said ending the tournament in favor of a tour format would be an “absolute tragedy” and agreed it should be played annually, adding that it would be a real shame if the tournament was canceled when all four teams are at the same level.

“It’s always about finding a balance, but of course it has to be an annual competition. Historically, both Argentina and Australia have had their moments, but now they have come back at the same time. The Six Nations is a big event and every game is an event on match day and everything else, but when Australia and Argentina get their house in order, as they have now, there will be nothing that can match the competitiveness of these four teams, who traditionally, conservatively, are between the six best in the world and that is where they historically live. “It would be an absolute tragedy now, after those two teams finally got back to the level of the Boks and the All Blacks, to end that.”said the former New Zealand flyhalf.

In turn, Mils Muliaina, another former leader of the men in black, expressed: “I’m looking forward to the tour, I’m not going to lie, because it’s going to bring me something different; it’s enriching. But I guess, in many ways, for a lot of people, we didn’t expect this Rugby Championship to be so competitive. The Argentinians have also joined the party. Something that consolidates is necessary. The South Africans and the Australians have also improved their quality, so is it necessary to do it every year? I think Yeah”.