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Wally
Guest
Super rugby will be enlarged to a 15-team competition run in a conference-type system with a larger finals format after SANZAR reaffirmed their commitment to expansion in 2011.
The SANZAR executive committee have held "constructive and robust discussions" around the future of their competition structures at a special meeting in Dubai where the World Cup Sevens are about to get under way.
The body that controls the Super 14 and Tri Nations competition for New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are under heat to come up with a better product as they get set to seek a new broadcasting deal with the first step in that process taking a plan to their current partner News Ltd.
There has been much speculation about the future that Super rugby and the Tri Nations will take with the three countries struggling for accord in many areas over the past.
They have be considering expansion proposals from a SANZAR Working Party and it seems they are determined to forge on, saying this was a crucial phase that will determine the financial security and rugby landscapes of the three countries.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the meeting reaffirmed largely what had been discussed at their meeting in Perth late last year - expansion will come in several forms.
There will be a team added to the competition with expressions of interest now being taken.
Tew said that while there had been talk about Japan, the Pacific Island and the US joining the Super 14, there was also pressure from within.
"Melbourne have been keen on a franchise, South Africa have said they would like a side from the Eastern Cape and New Zealand have provinces that have aspirations as well," Tew said in an interview with RadioSport.
The conference system would allow better home and away series with the leading cross-conference teams coming together for an in-depth finals series.
Tew said this had worked well in other professional sports. American systems operate in this way.
It was a way of maximizing the local derbies which have proven to be the highest rating matches in all three countries, he said.
Tew admitted the new championship would require more time but there had been a commitment that a Super 15 competition can't start any earlier than it currently does and there was a desire to push its kickoff back to March.
The season extension was something that had to be worked through carefully and this was a delicate area because of the diverse needs of the three partners.
New Zealand and South Africa have strong domestic competitions in the Air New Zealand Cup and Currie Cup to protect while Australia have a desire to get more meaningful rugby on their shores.
"We have to work in the Tri Nations and November tours north," said Tew.
"The 52 weeks in a year are not quite enough. If someone had designed a 54-week calendar we might be better off"
A member of the NZRU staff has been appointed as a dedicated project manager to work with the Working Party in refining the preferred competition structures for Super Rugby and Tri Nations.
On the question of Argentina, Tew said it was unlikely they would figure in any expansion of Super rugby. Their better fit was in the Tri Nations if that test competition was to be enlarged.
"It would be much more attractive to see them join up at some point of time in the Tri-Nations if we can make that work," Tew said.
Argentina has been seeking entry to an elite tournament but has so far been unsuccessful in its inquiries toward joining Europe's Six Nations or the Tri-Nations.
The Pumas are ranked fourth in the world standings and finished third at the 2007 World Cup, but say they have been held back by their lack of regular topflight competition.
SANZAR must present their plans to broadcaster News Ltd in June. They have the first right of refusal.
SANZAR and News Ltd may do a deal there and then, otherwise SANZAR can take their product to the open market.
"2009 will be a year that we utilise fully," said Tew.
"This is a very important decision ... not just for the financial strength of the three countries involved but it will help determine the landscape of rugby in the three countries," said Tew.
"We have to get this right and we are very conscious of our responsibility."
rugbyheaven.com
The SANZAR executive committee have held "constructive and robust discussions" around the future of their competition structures at a special meeting in Dubai where the World Cup Sevens are about to get under way.
The body that controls the Super 14 and Tri Nations competition for New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are under heat to come up with a better product as they get set to seek a new broadcasting deal with the first step in that process taking a plan to their current partner News Ltd.
There has been much speculation about the future that Super rugby and the Tri Nations will take with the three countries struggling for accord in many areas over the past.
They have be considering expansion proposals from a SANZAR Working Party and it seems they are determined to forge on, saying this was a crucial phase that will determine the financial security and rugby landscapes of the three countries.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the meeting reaffirmed largely what had been discussed at their meeting in Perth late last year - expansion will come in several forms.
There will be a team added to the competition with expressions of interest now being taken.
Tew said that while there had been talk about Japan, the Pacific Island and the US joining the Super 14, there was also pressure from within.
"Melbourne have been keen on a franchise, South Africa have said they would like a side from the Eastern Cape and New Zealand have provinces that have aspirations as well," Tew said in an interview with RadioSport.
The conference system would allow better home and away series with the leading cross-conference teams coming together for an in-depth finals series.
Tew said this had worked well in other professional sports. American systems operate in this way.
It was a way of maximizing the local derbies which have proven to be the highest rating matches in all three countries, he said.
Tew admitted the new championship would require more time but there had been a commitment that a Super 15 competition can't start any earlier than it currently does and there was a desire to push its kickoff back to March.
The season extension was something that had to be worked through carefully and this was a delicate area because of the diverse needs of the three partners.
New Zealand and South Africa have strong domestic competitions in the Air New Zealand Cup and Currie Cup to protect while Australia have a desire to get more meaningful rugby on their shores.
"We have to work in the Tri Nations and November tours north," said Tew.
"The 52 weeks in a year are not quite enough. If someone had designed a 54-week calendar we might be better off"
A member of the NZRU staff has been appointed as a dedicated project manager to work with the Working Party in refining the preferred competition structures for Super Rugby and Tri Nations.
On the question of Argentina, Tew said it was unlikely they would figure in any expansion of Super rugby. Their better fit was in the Tri Nations if that test competition was to be enlarged.
"It would be much more attractive to see them join up at some point of time in the Tri-Nations if we can make that work," Tew said.
Argentina has been seeking entry to an elite tournament but has so far been unsuccessful in its inquiries toward joining Europe's Six Nations or the Tri-Nations.
The Pumas are ranked fourth in the world standings and finished third at the 2007 World Cup, but say they have been held back by their lack of regular topflight competition.
SANZAR must present their plans to broadcaster News Ltd in June. They have the first right of refusal.
SANZAR and News Ltd may do a deal there and then, otherwise SANZAR can take their product to the open market.
"2009 will be a year that we utilise fully," said Tew.
"This is a very important decision ... not just for the financial strength of the three countries involved but it will help determine the landscape of rugby in the three countries," said Tew.
"We have to get this right and we are very conscious of our responsibility."
rugbyheaven.com
