Samoa looming as Super surprise as Gold Coast starts to waver

[travelling_gerry]

By Iain Payten
July 10, 2009 Samoa have emerged as the surprise new player in the $5million race for the new Super 15 franchise, but the Gold Coast may be a non-starter.

The official bidding process for the fifth team in Australia's conference in 2011 kicked off on Thursday with SANZAR calling for expression of interests.

A range of demanding criteria have been attached to any bids, however, with the ARU saying candidates must not only have solid corporate structure, a 25,000-seat stadium and good geographic location - but at least $5million in start-up capital as well.

While favourites Melbourne will have little trouble with state government backing, rival bidder Gold Coast are wavering.

"Unless we could find a Santa Claus investor, it would be impossible for the Gold Coast to do it," bid boss Terry Jackman said.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer bankrolled the $5 million guarantee to put Gold Coast United on the Australian football map yet a "Mr Claus" for rugby's future on the tourist strip is still a dream.

"The Gold Coast remains extremely interested in being involved in Super rugby, our (bid) team will now look at all it will take and go from there," he said.

"I'd make the comment that $5 million is the sort of money the AFL has put into the Gold Coast to get it right for a new team."

ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said the field loomed as Melbourne, Gold Coast and western Sydney beside South Africa's outsiders, the Southern Kings.

Throwing in an intriguing new twist, however, is news the Samoan Rugby Union are genuinely interested in running a side. Led by rugby-mad Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi, Samoa have even engaged consultants to help with the process.

Though a team in Apia is not seen as viable by SANZAR, the possibility of a Samoan-run team based in Australia or New Zealand could still happen. A further option could even be a joint venture with an Australian-based bidder such as Western Sydney, who are already sourcing foreign investment.

"One of the attractions of Western Sydney is they have a strong Polynesian population, who love their rugby," Carroll said.

Bidders will apply with the ARU, NZRU and South Africa before July 22, and ultimately a decision will be made by the SANZAR board on October 31.

South Africa's hope of fielding a sixth side appears slim, with SANZAR saying "geographic" location and time-zone would be a key criteria - mostly for broadcasting considerations.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html

[Burgs]

Geographically, or more so, chronologically, the window is actually more that betwean WA and the Republic.
A team playing on Samoa time would also be a bonus as they would kick off the days viewing at midday WST. Unfortunately, looking at the two PN matches replayed last night, if they won't turn out to watch their national team then it is a long time before an Island based bid will sway SANZAR so their only option really is one in Australia.

[Working Class]

Well SANZAR have stated that an islands team would have to be based in either NZ or Aus. Western Sydney anyone?

[AndyS]

It doesn't look like they even needed to think about it - I guess looming just doesn't mean the same as when I were a lad!

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Samoa declines Super offer

The Samoan Rugby Union has declined an offer from SANZAR - South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby - to join an expanded Super 15 competition.

SANZAR on Wednesday called for "expressions of interest" from applicants wishing to join Super Rugby from 2011.

This, according to a SANZAR statement, is the first step in the application process to determine the location of the 15th team. SANZAR anticipates a decision will be made by November.

In addition to the three SANZAR countries, the Samoan Rugby Union was also provided with the expression of interest document so that it can consider whether it wishes to mount a bid.

Samoan CEO Peter Schuster told NewstalkZB that it would be impossible to get a professional franchise set up in such a short time.

Schuster said Samoa may be interested if the competition has further expansion in the future.

There has been talk from Australia that the next step in expanding Super Rugby would be to a Super 18.

SANZAR has also written to the national unions Argentina, Canada, Fiji, Japan, United States and Tonga and advised that, while SANZAR is not considering them as potential expansion locations for the 15th team, SANZAR sees the change in the competition format from 2011 as a first step in positioning Super Rugby to allow for future opportunities.

However, it is uncertain if SANZAR will now invite one of the aforementioned countries, following Samoa's decision to decline the invitation.

http://www.rugby365.com/all_news/1788360.htm