Australian professional rugby will turn truly domestic if any rugby is to be played during the Super Rugby suspension.
With international matches already ruled out, SANZAAR and the various unions have all been vocal about working towards domestic or conference-based competitions.
Australia’s effective ban on international visitors who aren’t Australian residents or citizens, announced this week, ended the potential of the Sunwolves being involved in any conference-style competition model.
The Japanese outfit has returned to their homes in the Super Rugby limbo and many players and staff would not be permitted into the country, effectively ending their time in the competition.
A domestic competition involving the four Australian Super Rugby franchises, and even the mooted inclusion of the Western Force in a five-team option, seems the only possibility for resuming regular top level rugby action.
The hope of SANZAAR and Rugby Australia is that any tournament would be meaningful, with the goal of potentially playing Super Rugby finals in June but with travel bans indefinite it is unclear whether any cross-country matches at any level will be able to go ahead.
It is expected any new model would not be finalised until next week but any competition could be immediately compromised if a player contracted the virus.
Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga’a said the idea of a domestic competition was appealing but players were relying on the governing bodies to make that call.
“If that goes ahead it'd be awesome to get some rugby under our belt but at this moment SANZAAR and Rugby Australia are working hard to get a comp going,” he said.
“For us it's just training well and just being ready for when their comp or whatever game is getting thrown at us.”
Should a competition get up and running, Fainga’a will be fit to try and win his starting spot back after a stint out with injury.
Fainga’a hasn’t played since the Brumbies’ round three loss to the Highlanders battling a toe complaint, but returned to full training on Friday in Canberra.
Connal McInerney has been starting in Fainga’a’s place and has been one of their most consistent players.
While Fainga’a is a Wallabies hooker, he said he would have to fight to ern his spot in the 23, let alone the XV, back if they do play again soon.
“Your position's never locked in,” he said.
“For myself, it's just keeping me on my toes as well. Got people breathing down my neck for that spot so it's good competition.
“That's Connal's spot at the moment and for myself and Nossy (Lachlan Lonergan) we've got to fight hard to show who's in the 23 and push for the starting position but for now it's just keeping fit and healthy and just doing ourselves.”
