Beauden Barrett backs Japanese teams in Super Rugby Pacific

Barrett calls for the return of Japanese teams to Super Rugby Pacific, believing it would make the competition more exciting and appealing to players.

Beauden Barrett of New Zealand scores a try during the Autumn Nations Series 2025 match between Italy and New Zealand (All Blacks) at Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy, on November 24, 2024. Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Adila Ghina

Beauden Barrett, the celebrated flyhalf for the All Blacks, has recently voiced his support for the return of Japanese teams to Super Rugby Pacific. Barrett believes that the inclusion of teams from Japan would not only rejuvenate the competition but also make it more attractive to players across the globe. Having played in various iterations of Super Rugby, including a New Zealand-only competition in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Barrett understands how important it is for the tournament to maintain its global appeal.

Barrett pointed out that Super Rugby, which peaked in 2017 with 18 teams spanning four continents, including the Japan-based Sunwolves, has significantly contracted over the years. Today, the competition is limited to just 11 teams from New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. While Barrett acknowledges the importance of these teams, he believes that the tournament would greatly benefit from a return to a broader geographic spread.

"It got tiresome when we were playing head-to-head with just the New Zealand teams," Barrett said at the launch of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific. "That wasn’t a great competition, to be fair. Playing against Australian teams, traveling, and having teams like the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika involved is really exciting. I'd love to see Japan become part of the competition again. We need to grow Super Rugby, and in that respect, I think that would be a great step forward."

When Barrett made his debut for the Wellington Hurricanes in 2011, Super Rugby featured 15 teams. The competition expanded in 2016 with the addition of Japan and Argentina, bringing the total to 18 teams. This was a significant move to internationalize the competition, allowing teams from different continents to compete against one another. Super Rugby embraced this global expansion, with teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa joining the existing Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific Island teams.

However, after a contraction in 2018, Super Rugby began to lose its once-expansive reach. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation, leading to the withdrawal of South African teams and a shift in the tournament’s structure. Now, with the competition limited to just 11 teams, the dynamics of Super Rugby have changed, leaving many wondering how the tournament can regain its former status.

For Barrett, the loss of teams like the Sunwolves and the South African franchises is a sign that Super Rugby needs to expand once again. He believes that adding Japanese teams would not only strengthen the competition but also offer players new experiences and challenges that would keep them invested in the tournament for longer.

Barrett's call for the return of Japanese teams is not just about the excitement of more diverse matchups, but also about the long-term sustainability of the competition. He argues that for Super Rugby to remain competitive and relevant, it needs to offer more than just domestic rivalries. The broader competition would attract top-tier talent and provide players with more opportunities to test themselves against teams from different cultures and playing styles.

“The more diverse the competition is, the better it is for the players,” Barrett explained. “The traveling, the experiences you have off the field, and the different environments you get to play in—all of that helps make you a better player. It’s those kinds of experiences that keep older players excited and motivated to continue their careers in Super Rugby.”

Super Rugby’s expansion into Asia with Japan was seen as a bold move to increase the sport’s popularity in the region. The inclusion of the Sunwolves in 2016 marked a significant step in broadening rugby’s global footprint. But the withdrawal of the Japanese team, along with the departure of South Africa, has left the competition with a more regional focus. Barrett believes this contraction has reduced the overall appeal of Super Rugby, especially for older players who may be tempted by lucrative offers in the northern hemisphere.

Barrett has had firsthand experience of playing abroad, spending time in Japan with club teams during two sabbaticals. He sees the value of international experience and believes that New Zealand Rugby should consider loosening its strict policy of only allowing players based in New Zealand to represent the All Blacks. For Barrett, the return of Japanese teams could help create a more globalized Super Rugby competition, which would, in turn, allow for more flexibility in eligibility rules for All Blacks players.

Barrett’s concerns about losing top talent to the northern hemisphere are shared by many in the rugby world. Super Rugby, once the premier competition in the Southern Hemisphere, faces stiff competition from European leagues, where players can earn significantly higher salaries. To prevent a talent drain, Barrett believes Super Rugby needs to find ways to keep players engaged and interested in the competition.

"If you have Japanese-based Super Rugby teams and Australian-based teams, I think if there are New Zealanders who want to go and play there, they should still be eligible for the All Blacks,” Barrett said. "They’ve given a lot to New Zealand Rugby, and it would be great to see some flexibility in that regard."

The All Blacks’ policy of selecting only players who play in New Zealand has been a longstanding rule, but with more players opting for overseas contracts, Barrett suggests that Super Rugby could provide a bridge for New Zealand players to play internationally without losing their eligibility for the national team. This could help retain top talent in the Southern Hemisphere and further strengthen the competition.

While Barrett’s vision of a more global Super Rugby is appealing, it comes with challenges. Expanding the competition to include more teams, such as those from Japan, would require significant logistical coordination and financial investment. Additionally, there would need to be a strong commitment from all stakeholders, including players, coaches, and rugby unions, to ensure the expansion is successful and sustainable.

However, the potential rewards are clear. A Super Rugby competition that includes teams from Japan and possibly other countries in Asia could dramatically increase the sport’s visibility and popularity in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets. For players, it would mean more competitive opportunities and diverse experiences, which would enhance the overall quality of the competition.

Super Rugby’s future depends on its ability to adapt and evolve in the face of changing global dynamics. As rugby continues to grow in popularity worldwide, the need for a competition that reflects the sport’s global nature is more important than ever. Barrett’s push for Japanese teams to rejoin Super Rugby is part of a larger conversation about how the tournament can remain relevant and competitive in the modern era.

The global rugby landscape is constantly shifting, with new markets opening up and new opportunities emerging. Expanding Super Rugby to include teams from Japan, and potentially other regions, could help position the competition as a truly international tournament. Barrett’s message is clear: for Super Rugby to thrive, it must embrace the opportunities offered by a broader, more inclusive competition.

As rugby continues to evolve, the decisions made in the coming years will shape the future of Super Rugby and its role in the global rugby community. Barrett’s call for Japanese involvement is just one step in a larger movement toward a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable Super Rugby Pacific.

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