Get set for Super 14

2001-07-11 11:22

Sydney - New franchises from South Africa and Australia will likely join a "Super 14" rugby union competition after the joint governing body of the South Africa, Australia and New Zealand unions agreed in principle on Wednesday to Super 12 structural reform.

After a meeting in Sydney to review recommendations for the future of the southern hemisphere's premiere provincial rugby competition, Sanzar voted to endorse the expansion of the Super 12 in 2003.

Heads of the respective unions said changes would be implemented pending approval from the boards of all three rugby unions.

New Zealand Rugby Football Union chief executive David Rutherford said his board was likely to accept the new format despite speculation that the Kiwis would reject expansion.

"We've always had an open mind," he said. "What we've said is that we weren't prepared to compromise our domestic tournaments ... or player welfare."

No location for a new franchise in Australia has been released, although the Australian Rugby Union has pinpointed Melbourne, Perth and Western Sydney as options.

ARU chief executive John O'Neill said he'd hoped to launch a new franchise in 2002 but was delighted it would go ahead the following season.

Australia has three existing teams, including defending champions the ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds and New South Wales Waratahs.

New Zealand has five franchises - Auckland, Canterbury, Otago, Waikato and Wellington - while South Africa has four teams in the Super 12 -Cats, Sharks, Bulls and the Stormers.

Also at the Sydney meeting, Sanzar rejected the International Rugby Board's decision to stage an annual Northern Hemisphere vs Southern Hemisphere clash.

Sanzar will meet again in August to assess feedback from the respective unions.

- Reuters