By Paul LewisInherent in the steep drop in the competence of the Australian cricket team, (stop laughing!) Once regarded as the world's most exacting non-test cricket competition, the Shield has attracted criticism from perhaps the toughest Australian captain ever, Allan Border. "I'm a bit critical of the powers that be that let the Sheffield Shield become almost a glorified practice match in some instances," he said. Super Rugby has already been sadly diluted by expansionism and the weird and wonderful scenario where not all teams play each other. New Zealand teams have been helped a great deal by playing the strongest opposition in Super Rugby: each other.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 18, 2016 22:59 UTC