'Tahs to face Fijian trial
Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:20
The Waratahs are planning to use an unexpected extra week ahead of next year's Super 14 season to fit in a pre-season trial match against Fiji.
The SANZAR stalemate over the play-off format - when South African officials dug their heels in - caused the proposed six-team play-off series to be canned.
As a result the Super 14 season will start one week later.
If the six-team play-off concept had been adopted, next season would have started on Friday, February 6.
However, with the four-team seminal format remaining in place till 2010, the tournament will now only get underway on the weekend of February 13, 14, and 15.
It gives all the franchises - including the Waratahs - an extra week for pre-season trials.
New South Wales Rugby Union chief executive Jim L'Estrange told the media on Monday that the Waratahs hope tackle the Fijian Warriors - a Fijian selection without their European-based players - in their first pre-season outing.
They will then play against fellow Australian franchises - the Reds and the Brumbies.
According to L'Estrange the 'Tahs hope to play the encounter with Fiji at a venue outside of Sydney, such as at Newcastle or on the Central Coast.
