Plans for an expanded Super Rugby competition have been rolled out while Australian rugby chiefs were still locked in a meeting discussing its merits.
In a rude shock to Australia’s five provincial bosses, governing body SANZAR is ploughing ahead with an 18-team, four conference model for 2016.
The model for the restructured competition, the details of which were revealed by AAP on Wednesday, will be taken to potential broadcasters for key rights negotiations.
Added to the current 15 teams, a sixth South African franchise – the Southern Kings – an Argentine side and an undetermined 18th side will be added to Super Rugby.
SANZAR is putting the 18th team up for tender, with the Australian Rugby Union hoping it is awarded to a big Asian market to increase the broadcast deal.
The Australian franchises and Rugby Union Players Association have been opponents of the four-conference model which will see an additional division in South Africa.
They were meeting with Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver in a regular chief executives meeting when news broke in New Zealand on Thursday afternoon.
Some officials have claimed Australia would be best served walking away from the current partnership in their own best interests.
But it has earned the strong support of New Zealand who wanted to guard against the extra travel that a simple round-robin Super 16 or 17 competition would deliver.
The five-team Australian and New Zealand conferences play just one of the South African pools in a 15-game competition.
“This is the best option to evolve what is already a fantastic competition and one that continues to deliver for fans, teams, players and sponsors,” said NZRU boss Steve Tew.
“From a player point of view it was important that we managed the travel of the teams.
We needed a platform that ensured our best players could continue to perform at their peak.
“Equally keeping South Africa in the regular competition was an important part of what makes Super Rugby.
“With a later start and one less match for each team in the competition, we believe we have got the balance right.”
