O'Neill punts Super 15 'marathon'
Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:08
Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief John O'Neill wants the Southern Hemisphere's flagship competition to expand into a Super 15 format, with Australia adding an extra franchise.
Super 14 tournament organisers SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) have been debating for some time over the proposed expansion of the existing 14-team event.
Most recently, teams from the Pacific Islands (such as Tonga, Samoa and Fiji), Asia, North America and Argentina have been considered as possible candidates for an expanded Super tournament, which is planned for 2011.
SANZAR's current broadcast deal runs until 2010, and the body are looking at tapping into new markets and new revenue sources in the ever-developing world of commercial sport.
It is likely that the new additional franchise will come from Melbourne and the Gold Coast in Australia. Those areas have recently voiced their interest in joining an expanded tournament.
"I think in 2010 we'll have Super 15 and with an extra team in Australia. I don't know where yet," O'Neill told Yahoo!Xtra Sport.
"You will see everyone play each other once, and then the South African conference, the Australian conference, the New Zealand conference will all play each other."
These proposals will also see the Super competition change from its current 15-week format to a 26-week format, including a possible a six-week Finals series.
This will undoubtedly raise questions on the effect it will have on the scheduling of Test matches, the Tri-Nations and other international and domestic tournaments in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Heavy resistance can be expected from Northern Hemisphere nations, who will inevitably have to schedule tours to the SANZAR countries in August. It is unlikely that European nations will follow suit, as it would require a major adjustment on their part to fit into SANZAR's proposed developments.
Moreover, the Tri-Nations would have to be rescheduled to September and October, and it would place even more stress on international players especially, who are already taxed with a gruelling, never-ending routine of rugby.
"That is not a bad season," O'Neill said about the proposed plans.
"It means for the Tahs, the Brumbies, the Reds, the Force and wherever the fifth team goes, they will all have a home-and-away against each other so they can become more viable financially."
