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United States also in S14 mix
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:28
The United States is a surprise addition to the list of possible teams that could join the expanded SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) competitions from 2010.
The SANZAR bosses said Friday they wanted to expand the finals of the Super 14 championship from a top-four to a top-six play-off series from next year.
The board of SANZA said it would put forward the proposal to those countries for consideration.
They also discussed ideas for an overhaul of the competition's structure when Super Rugby is revamped - possibly from as early as 2010 - to expand the tournament from its current 14 teams.
Argentina, Japan, as well as the Pacific Island nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga have been linked to an expanded Super Rugby and Tri-Nations format.
However, Australian Rugby Union (ARU) boss John O'Neill dropped a bombshell when he said the United States (US) was also in the mix for a Super Rugby franchise.
"The first step next year is the expanded play-off finals series and perhaps as early as 2010 you could see an expanded Super Rugby competition," he said.
"There is the opportunity to bring additional teams in from the current territories, or given some of the conversations we've had with countries like the US and Japan, you wouldn't exclude Super Rugby teams being located in say Tokyo or Los Angeles.
"In the next four or five years you will see a transformed Super Rugby environment."
O'Neill said separate playing conferences within the Super Rugby competition would also be possible as the competition expanded, while the format of the six team play-offs is still being discussed.
South African Rugby (Pty) Ltd Managing Director Jonathan Stones said Super Rugby needed to evolve and support for extended play-offs was strong.
"We think we run the premier competitions, and we think it is incumbent on us to build on what we have," he said.
"It's about answering the calls we have had both from our spectators and our competition components."
The board acknowledged significant changes to the existing format would have an impact on the traditional Tri-Nations playing window used by SANZAR countries and may impact on other areas of the international schedule.
The broadcast deal that underwrites Super 14 is due to expire at the end of 2010.
The meeting, which included SANZAR chief executive and the SA Rugby Managing Director, Stones, O'Neill and New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew, concluded a three-day workshop in Perth.
AFP
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