South Africa threatens to quit Super 14

[TOCC]

^^ they have had discussion in the past, and many RSA rugby officials have voiced there opinion on the europe subject in previous years, i wouldnt be suprised if they have been in talks.

[unipirate]

Perth is 7 Hours in front of South Africa

New Zealand is 11 Hours in Front

Typically the earliest a NZ game is about 18:30 (NZ time) - which would be earliest 07:30 RSA time.

The East coast game is usually after that by 2.5 hours and the Perth one another 2.5 hours after that, so really they get all their game sin RSA in the morning and around lunch.

Fair enough that isn't prime time, but damn to watch a rugby game in RSA we need ot stay up at 0100 in the morning and on which I think is much harder.

Cheers Jargs!!!!!

[beige]

Btw, this was further down in the article:

"We remain committed to SANZAR and are taking a full part in discussions looking at the possible expansion of the tournament - a desire we share with our Australian and New Zealand partners."

[unipirate]

by the sounds of it the press blew this up, and there was no truth to the rumors at all!

[jargan83]

Typically the earliest a NZ game is about 18:30 (NZ time)

19:30 NZ Time, becasue the Friday game starts at 15:30 Perth time, you may be right about Saturday coverage though

by the sounds of it the press blew this up, and there was no truth to the rumors at all!

none that SARU will admit to at least

[beige]

Meanwhile, O'Neill has expressed relief at hearing South African rugby's acting managing director Andy Marinos' denial of the report in The Australian his country was contemplating pulling its teams out of the Super 14 and redirecting them into the northern hemisphere's Magners League.

"I heard those rumours and they certainly had some currency," O'Neill said.

"I read with interest the speculation (that South Africa was secretly exploring the possibility of joining the former Celtic League) and especially the response of Andy Marinos. His confirmation of his country's commitment to SANZAR is really pleasing."

The one continuing doubt, however, is whether Marinos actually has the final word or indeed speaks for South African rugby.

SA Rugby Pty Ltd is the organisation set up to run the professional arm of the game in the republic, but the overarching body governing the game there is the South African Rugby Union run by Oregan Hoskins, who is attempting to bring the professional organisation back under the umbrella of the national rugby body.

That it was Marinos not Hoskins - the regular front man of South African rugby - issuing the denial is certain to keep Australian and New Zealand officials on edge about South Africa's plans until they meet their South African counterparts at the SANZAR board meeting in Dubai on March 4.

Until then, all options, however bizarre, including a late South African demand the 15th team to be brought into an expanded Super rugby competition should be the Eastern Cape Spears, appear to be still possible.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html