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Australia backs Super Rugby format
By James Heffield, Betfair rugby bet journalist
Australian Super 14 franchises and the ARU have spoken out in support of the current Super Rugby format following a proposal from nine New Zealand provinces to introduce a new Trans-Tasman competition.
If accepted, the proposed new competition, which would involve five Australian teams and nine New Zealand teams, would replace the current Super 14 and exclude South Africa. The proposed competition would run in conjunction with a European-cup style competition and for New Zealand players it would mean playing for their home province (eg. Southland) all season long as opposed to the current format of switching teams for the Super 14.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has not endorsed the proposal, but media reports have suggested it has support from North Harbour, Wellington, Canterbury, Auckland, Waikato, Otago, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and Southland.
But ARU chief executive John O’Neill does not back the competition and has instead been calling for an expanded Super 14. Super Rugby is the only top quality rugby union competition in Australia following the demise of the Australian Rugby Championship and for those at the top expansion is seen as the only way forward.
O’Neill was right behind a proposal to expand the Super 14 finals competition to incorporate six teams rather than four and was involved in talk of expanding the current competition into the Pacific Islands, Japan and the United States. Both Rugby Western Australia CEO Greg Harris and New South Wales Rugby counterpart Jim L’Estrange echoed O’Neill’s sentiments, which they believe are the best option for Australian rugby as it builds on a stable, already successful format.
Both possible competitions would create more rugby, reducing the temptation for fringe national team players to head to Europe. Both would also expand into areas like Melbourne and compete against other football codes. However, only the Super 14 has a proven track record and now, at a time when even O’Neill has suggested union and league will eventually merge, the safe option has to be the best option for Australian rugby.