The axed Sunwolves must not be forced to play next season, writes Jamie Pandaram

If SANZAAR wants to make the hard calls, they need to follow through with decisive action and save the Sunwolves from the trauma of another season, writes Jamie Pandaram.

The axe has fallen on the Sunwolves but they may be forced to field an understrength outfit next season. Picture: Getty Images

• Sunwolves axed from Super Rugby competition

It is farcical to think the Sunwolves should play in Super Rugby next year.

With their fate sealed, SANZAAR needs to go all the way with their decision and cut them after this season.

If you’re going to make the hard call, show some guts and do it properly. Don’t stagger this out and allow the Sunwolves and the Super Rugby competition to bleed out slowly as the few fans who remain turn their backs.

The decision has been made to cut them from the tournament, but the deal with broadcasters is to show 127 games including finals in 2020.

The axe has fallen on the Sunwolves but they may be forced to field an understrength outfit next season. Picture: Getty Images

To have Sunwolves players and coaching staff endure an entire preseason and the 2020 season, just to tick the broadcast agreement box, would do more damage to the image of Super Rugby than any of the money being delivered.

We already know that due to the World Cup in Japan, next season’s Top League will clash with Super Rugby, so all of the best Sunwolves players won’t be available.

They’ll be a team of no-names and also-rans, who will likely be hammered week in, week out, all with the knowledge they won’t exist at the end of the year.

How many Sunwolves fans are going to turn up for games, or watch on television?

Are broadcasters seriously going to be happy showcasing the morbid weekly thrashings of a team with a noose around its neck?

SANZAAR hardly has a lofty reputation but going down this road would kill any credibility it has left.

The SANZAAR executive committee consists of Andy Marinos, Brent Impey, Raelene Castle, Cameron Clyne, Steve Tew, Mark Alexander, Jurie Roux, Agustin Pichot and Carlos Araujo.

They’ve made the decision to knife the Sunwolves to simplify and improve the competition.

But dragging them through an additional year would only denigrate the quality and integrity of Super Rugby.

Then asking punters to return in 2021 would be a moot point.