SARU dismiss Kiwi 'breakaway unions'
Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:12
Safe: Oregan Hoskins and SARU are committed to SANZAR's Super 14 expansion plans
SA Rugby have dismissed reports about a possible breakaway Super rugby tournament that would include New Zealand and Australian teams, but exclude South African Super rugby franchises.
Earlier reports indicated a proposed move by representatives from nine of New Zealand's provincial unions - North Harbour, Wellington, Canterbury, Auckland, Waikato, Otago, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and Southland - to replace the Super 14 with a new 14-team trans-Tasman competition and an international Heineken Cup-style tournament.
But the story has since been refuted by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) as well as the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), who stated that the SANZAR alliance was not currently under threat.
Both unions stated that the South African Super franchises would still very much be a part of the plans to evolve the current format of the Super 14 tournament.
"The story has been denied by New Zealand [Rugby Union] and Australia [Rugby Union], and our stance is that there is no story, so nothing needs to be said," Andy Colquhoun, SA Rugby strategic communications manager told rugby365.com.
"[NZRU general manager of professional rugby] Neil Sorenson came out and said that there will be no break-up of SANZAR, and John O'Neill has confirmed the same sentiments."
However, Colquhoun did confirm that SARU were committed to the expansion of the Super 14 tournament in conjunction with SANZAR.
"That's something that been on the table for a while, and something that SA Rugby are considering as well. We're one of the SANZAR partners and we're committed to that review process.
"As you know SANZAR has been speaking to the Pacific Islands, Japan, Canada, USA and Argentina, and will be looking at all viable options," he said.
No date has been set as yet for the proposed Super 14 expansion as of yet, and details about the plans are sketchy at this stage.
However, it seems that booming television-related revenues could accelerate SANZAR's expansion plans for Super rugby, as they look to tap into new rugby markets in the search for new revenue streams.
By Phil Coetzer
