Wallabies and All Blacks players reportedly in talks to remove South Africa from Super Rugby

Senior players from the Wallabies and the All Blacks have reportedly united in a bid to remove South Africa from Super Rugby.

According to Nine News, a contingent of senior Australian players, led by captain Michael Hooper, took part in a phone call with their Kiwi counterparts, including new All Blacks skipper Sam Cane.

The reason for the call was an attempt to float ideas about how to restart the Super Rugby season amid the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, but also to discuss the long-term viability of the competition, which contains franchises from five countries across four continents.

Franchises from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, and Argentina all take part in the competition, although players now no longer see it as viable.

The preferred format decided upon by those players is the Trans-Tasman competition involving the existing nine teams from Australia and New Zealand and the reintroduction of the Western Force.

There are also reports that they are happy to welcome in the Pacific Island team which will please World Rugby as they attempt to make the world game more accessible and competitive amongst smaller nations.