Australia nominates Melbourne for expanded Super 15 12/08/2009 |
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Melbourne has been selected as Australia's sole contender for inclusion in the expanded Super rugby competition.
Australia is vying with South Africa and New Zealand for the right to host the new franchise when the southern hemisphere's provincial competition expands to 15 from 14 teams in 2011.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said they wanted to maximise their chances by nominating a single bid and agreed that Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, presented their best chance of winning.
"At this stage in the evolution of Super rugby, we believe Melbourne has the best chance of success," ARU boss John O'Neill said in a statement Wednesday.
"We are in a three-nation race for the licence and we want the 15th team in Australia. So we need to focus our energy on what will be our most compelling bid."
The ARU said they hoped the three Melbourne nominees would join forces to offer the strongest possible bid.
"We want to make sure the 15th team is in Australia, thus the ARU will facilitate the potential for a seamless and sensible amalgamation of those interested parties. It will surely put us in the best position possible," O'Neill said.
'MOST COMPELLING OPTION'
O'Neill said that the three expressions of interest from the Melbourne nominees contained different strengths.
"There are elements in each of the Melbourne EOI's that ensure the sum of the parts will be extremely powerful. We intend to align these components in a sensible format of ownership."
The expanded Super competition will be reorganised along a conference system based in each of the three SANZAR (South Africa New Zealand Australia Rugby) partners.
With South Africa and New Zealand already having five teams each in the current Super 14, the new team will play in the Australian conference but does not have to be based there.
The deadline for formal bids will close in September with a final decision on the new team expected in October.
"It was for this reason that the ARU Board accepted a recommendation from management to put forward only one bid to the next stage of the selection process," O'Neill said.
"The decision to be made by SANZAR before the end of the year is not where in Australia the team will be based but in which country.
"Therefore, it will be in the ARU's best interests to proceed with what we consider to be our best and most compelling option."
(Source: Reuters)
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