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Nine organizations have now submitted expressions of interest in becoming the new team in an expanded Super Rugby competition after two New Zealand-based groups joined seven Australian prospects.

The New Zealand Rugby Union said today it received documents from the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union and Taranaki region detailing their interest in becoming the 15th franchise when southern hemisphere rugby’s top provincial competition adds an extra team in 2011.

Tournament organizer South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby, or SANZAR, will next month assess those expressions of interest forwarded by the three national unions. Formal bids must be submitted by mid-to-late September with a final decision due in late October, the NZRU said.

While the new team will join the Australian Conference in a revamped competition, its location is open to any country. New Zealand and South Africa currently have five teams each to Australia’s four.

(Source: Bloomberg)