Imagine a Super Rugby team based in the United States—sounds wild, right? But that’s exactly the kind of bold thinking former All Black fullback Mils Muliaina says could give the competition a much-needed boost.

Why an American Franchise Makes Sense

With the 2031 Rugby World Cup set for the U.S., World Rugby is already in talks about planting a Super Rugby flag on American soil.

Muliaina sees this as more than just a warm-up for the Cup.

He believes building a U.S. team could shake up the Super Rugby landscape in a major way.

Lessons from Past Experiments

“A lot of lessons came from the Jaguares in Argentina and the Japanese franchises,” Muliaina told Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown.

“We’ve tried expansion before. Now’s the moment to take what worked, ditch what didn’t, and truly evolve Super Rugby.”

Enticing Top Talent to Return

One of the smartest moves, Muliaina suggests, would be to bring South African stars back into the fold.

“Picture someone like Manie Libbok suiting up for a U.S. Super Rugby team,” he said.

“That kind of profile would draw crowds—and then you sprinkle in some American players to learn alongside them.”

Building for 2031 and Beyond

Muliaina isn’t asking for an overnight transformation. “Let’s take two to three years to get it right,” he advised.

By the time the World Cup rolls around in 2031, that U.S. outfit could be humming—filled with a mix of international stars and homegrown talent ready to seize their moment.

Time to Move Beyond Talk

“We’ve talked about this for too long,” Muliaina added. “It’s time to stop paying lip service.

Let’s get the pieces in place over the next few years and make it happen.”

South Africans Are Ready to Come Back

According to Muliaina, South African players aren’t just open to the idea—they’re itching for it.

“They want to return to Super Rugby,” he said.

“So let’s be innovative: lure them back, build a strong team, and watch the competition transform.”