SANZAR to examine Australia, South Africa Super 15 bids 19/08/2009 |
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Australian city Melbourne will bid against South Africa's Southern Kings franchise for the 15th Super rugby team when the competition expands in 2011, rugby authorities said Wednesday.
"Both applicants have been invited to provide more information to SANZAR (South Africa New Zealand and Australia Rugby) including a formal application for entry and business plan," SANZAR said in a statement.
SANZAR imposed a September 25 deadline to receive the final bid documents, with a decision on the location of the team due to be announced by October, the rugby body added.
The revamped competition in 2011 will see 15 teams split into three conferences, one in each country, with the new team to play in the Australian conference though SANZAR said it did not need to be based in Australia.
Two New Zealand groups lodged preliminary interest, though the New Zealand Rugby Union quashed their bids out of concerns over player depth and cost.
While three groups from Melbourne had lodged interest, the Australian Rugby Union was working with them to submit a single bid, SANZAR said.
Australia has four teams in the current Super 14 competition, one less than New Zealand and South Africa, and is considered the favourite for the expansion side.
Question marks, however, remain over Australia's player depth and the ability of a Melbourne-based team to attract interest in the city where the rival Australian Rules football remains far more popular.
South Africa's Southern Kings, a combined Eastern Province, Border and South Western Districts franchise, would face a logistical challenge fielding a team in the Australian conference.
Organisers are also hoping the structure of the new competition will increase interest through more local derbies.
(Source: Reuters)
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