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Broadcasters agree to Supersize
Bret Harris | March 18, 2008 Broadcasters agree to Supersize | The Australian
THE ARU has won the key support of broadcasters for an expanded Super 14, which could significantly boost the income stream from television rights when the next deal is negotiated by SANZAR in 2010.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill has floated the idea of playing a 26-round Super competition with an increased finals format and a team from Japan.
Although the concept has met resistance from New Zealand and South Africa, because it would conflict with their domestic competitions, O'Neill said the broadcasters had responded positively.
The current TV deal between SANZAR, News Limited (publisher of The Australian) and a number of other broadcasters which was struck in 2004, is worth $US355million over five years.
"What I'm promoting is an ARU view, which we have worked through at the board level and our strategic planning exercises," O'Neill said at a media conference yesterday to announce Qantas re-signing as a major sponsor until 2011. He also confirmed the Wallabies' historic match with the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium in November.
"That's our preferred outcome. South Africa and New Zealand are still working through their processes. At this point in time they are rejecting it, but it's not off the agenda.
"New Zealand has to go through their consultative process with their provinces. It shouldn't and won't stop us talking about what we believe is a worthwhile option and we have an understanding, a pretty good understanding, there is a real appetite from the broadcasters for a 26-week competition.
"Ian Frykberg (SANZAR broadcast consultant) has done some soundings and the response has been pretty positive.
"There is a risk that if we push too hard, it's an ARU-O'Neill idea so we'll resist it just for that reason.
"All we are saying is our market is different, but when you think about where we are after 12 or 13 years of the professional era, you are looking at the economics of rugby.
"What generates the income? It's mass entertainment. With the greatest respect to the Air New Zealand Cup, which has a long history, and the Currie Cup, they don't generate anywhere near the level of income that Test matches and Super rugby do.
"OK, yes, we have NRL and AFL staring us in the face, but that 26-week model with a round and a half and local derbies and a big finals series is a pretty attractive model and would generate significantly greater income."
The Wembley match is one of three income-producing games -- the others are against the All Blacks in Hong Kong and Six Nations champion Wales in Cardiff -- on the Wallabies' six-match European tour in November, which will help the ARU record a potential $15m turnaround in its financial fortunes.
A proposed Test against England at Twickenham in November next year, which would complete a grand slam of games against Ireland, Scotland and Wales, would also be an income-earner for the ARU.
O'Neill revealed he had begun preliminary negotiations with the Rugby Football Union and there was a 50-50 chance of the Wallabies embarking on a grand slam tour for the first time since 1984.
"They (England) have a limited window because of (the RFU's) agreement with the clubs," O'Neill said.
"November 7 is an available date. We are not sure whether that is in or out of their window. I'm sure we could strike a deal if necessary."
The ARU will also send former Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen to the IRB's meeting with the Six Nations at the end of this month to lobby them to trial the experimental law variations in Europe this year.
New Wallabies coach Robbie Deans may also be involved in the discussions via a phone hook-up, while a senior Wallaby player could also be sent to sell the new laws, which are being trialled in the Super 14.
"We just need to convince them that the statistics aren't manufactured," O'Neill said.
"The game hasn't changed. The fabric of the game is still the same. The game is a better spectacle.
"You can just see the teams that are executing these laws well are playing a beautiful and exciting brand of rugby."
* O'Neill clarified his position on the multi-million funding of premier rugby in Sydney and Brisbane, saying the ARU may maintain the current level of support to the clubs.
The ARU had previously decided to phase out the funding at the end of the year, but O'Neill is open-minded about the issue.
"It's not just about funding," O'Neill said. "It's about structure and the overall repositioning of club rugby and if the ARU's interests are aligned with the states and the clubs, then we have an open mind about reinstating our premier club funding."
Barnes must change like I did: