Super 15 expansion hopefuls are yet to receive crucial documentation to allow them to bid for a place in the tournament, even as organisers reach a deadline to submit their blueprint to broadcasters.
Super rugby’s governing body SANZAR will submit its proposed 24-week competition to bank-rolling rights holder News Limited on Tuesday.
News has the first right of refusal on the proposed tournament, which would begin in 2011 after the current rights deal expires at the end of next season.
A decision on the 15th team was never going to be made before the June 30 deadline, but Australian Rugby Union officials had previously said bidders would receive the criteria they are expected to meet before then.
The expansion team will play in an Australian conference, although a bizarre South African bid is likely, along with those of favourites Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Bidding consortia are understandably reluctant to criticise the process too harshly but remain privately perplexed that they have not yet received the crucial criteria.
“We’ve had no indications on anything so we’re just sitting and waiting to see what happens,” Gold Coast bid team chief Terry Jackman told AAP on Monday.
“It seems a bit strange. They’ve had a few Test matches to worry about I guess.”
Victorian Rugby Union president Gary Gray added: “We are looking forward to soon receiving the SANZAR criteria for the expression of interest process.
“We can’t go as far as we’d like to until we understand what the criteria is and all of the details surrounding it.”
ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said bidders could expect the criteria as early as next week, “depending on SANZAR”.
But bidders are keen to get on with finalising their submissions and learning their fate so they can begin recruiting players and staff.
“Obviously the later it gets in the year the more pressure it puts on the winning consortium … to properly prepare,” Gray said.
“The longer it goes, your opportunities become weakened to maximise the strength of your team.”
South African side the Southern Kings are reportedly so confident they will get the go-ahead to be the fifth “Australian” side, they have started recruiting players.
“I don’t know how that will work but we respect their right to have a crack and that will create good competition and keep everyone on their toes,” Gray said.
The Victorians say they will scour the globe in the search for a high profile coach should they get the green light.
“Melbourne will need headline coaches and headline people related to the team in terms of players,” Gray said.
“This is an international game as has been proved by the decision, which was a fantastic one, for Robbie Deans to coach the Wallabies.
“Some of the best Australian coaches are currently coaching overseas.
“We could have a South African, we could have an Englishman, it’s a question of getting the right person that fits into the culture of the team.”
Gray also hinted the defunct Australian Rugby Championship’s Melbourne Rebels could be revived as a Super 15 outfit, although he said no decision had yet been made on a team name or colours.
“We’ve already got some equity in that brand,” he said. “It’s a positive in Melbourne, it was seen as successful.
“It fits very well in terms of its values, it’s sort of an underdog which Melbourne will always be in the rugby community.”
westy
Guest
Inthe Australian context the super 14 receives the highest hourly rate of compensation per hour of content. Basically the ratings do not necessarily correspond with the premium cost. The real target of the SANZAR deal from a broadcaster's view is and has always been the trinations . This is for Australian broadcasters the rugby equvalent of SOO or home Melbourne AFL games b/w traditional clubs. i believe adding another super franchise will add to Sanzaris war chest but not the proportionate increase the extra content would warrant. Ratings in both Australia and NZ were down as were crowds only slightly in Australia but more noticeably in NZ.The Highlanders have become renoewned for artificially inflating their home crowds. One day 3500 next 4500 the 5500. The problemis that was all. Australian rugby simply does not have the playing depth at the current time. i have been very careful with my chioce of words. Any team in the Gold Coast even if it was the best backed financial bid would decimate the now weakest Australian franchise the QLD Reds. Melbourne is the only viable choice with some liberalisation of rules relating to marquee/overseas players for the new franchise. Melbourne has no home ground players to contribute. For those of us who still bother watching Shute Shield the dismantling of the Australia A team has had a beneficial effect on maintaining players in the competition. Any new melbourne franchise will drag another 10 to 12 players from the Shute Shield and again lessen its competitive substance. There is no choice here but do not run the farcical line it will be an improved competition . One HD has also expressed some interest in the Aleague . They are not bottomless pits and super 14 rugby in australia has been far from potent in its ratings. FTA is ruthless. Domestic A league sounds like a more shore fire bet then some game between the Lions v Highlanders because who in their right commercial mind thinks News/Fox is going to give Waratahs v Brumbies to One HD
Simon
Guest
Why not a S18 with 6 teams in all 3 countries? All teams open the doors to 4-5 overseas players from SH countries (PI's, ARG, or any other SANZAR country)? This would keep all the teams mostly national, but allow teams to maintain depth, and provide for some of the other SH countries without just favouring one over another (e.g. Japan over the PI's). A S18 wouldn't go for any longer than a S15 because there would be no need for the two extra byes in the 22 week proposal. But I guess, money will be the problem!!!
MarkH
Guest
I think SA has enough teams and needs no more. We dont need the S14s swamped with SA players and ideas. But....on the other hand, I think the S14 is leaning toward any other professional sport these days. I think that the coaching staff will be a mixture of nationalities as will the side. The laws regarding players with in the S14 playing in other nations should be relaxed. This would keep them in the comp instead of Europe. Same as NRL / AFL. Just a thought on that. Regardless of where players come from, the team is an Australian based squad playing out of Melb.
Ben J
Guest
The Southern Kings is not a far fetched idea and here are my reasons: 1. They have the full backing of SARFU & crucially the SA government 2. There is a brand spanking new stadium in Port Elizabeth for Rugby & Soccer available 3. There are players & coaches available locally and overseas to fill the roster 4. Fringe Aus & Kiwi players might, just might be willing to play there due to the lack of oppurtunities in their home countries. 5. SA Rugby is at the moment very successful, World Cup, Super 14, BI Lions, Sevens World Champions, new and upgraded stadia due to the FIFA World Cup. Just a thought, use it don't use it...
sheek
Guest
WCR, Sorry, didn't mean to exclude from the loop. I reckon Japan is a fantasy in the short-term. The distance would be a killer for them (& everyone else), & they simply don't have the playing cattle. O'Neill's a banker/accountant, & keeps pushing the monetary opportunities in Asian markets. But you don't get something for nothing. Not long-term anyway.
sheek
Guest
AndyS, I don't want to see Aussie super teams filled with non-Aussies either. Regrettably, I think it's inevitable. When money speaks, weak men crumble & abandon their principles. As Kerry Packer once famously & cynically observed, "there's a whore in all of us, & we all have our price". Onside, The whole S15 principle is based on the 3 x 5 structure. Five franchises in each of South Africa, Australia & New Zealand. The next step would S18, or 3 x 6. That way, SA & NZ could each have a 6th franchise, while Australia's 6th franchise might be the Pacific Islanders (based on Gold coast). Just a thought. In any case, S18 would be seen as a step too far at this point.
Jack Petro
Guest
The Super Rugby concept is the best option as it doesn't spell out exactly how many teams are involved and leaves it open to expand over future years. Melbourne should get the nod .. yes .. and the deal being put towards News probably will be accepted but not for the $$$ that SANZA wanted; that's just economic reality. In regards to player eligibility ... it will stay 'status quo' at least until the next deal is signed (2013?2015?). For those of you who love to criticise the franchises on their player selection (etc) ... sometimes, coaches get the cattle they want ... and sometimes they inherit, one's they wish they didn't have. The changes through the end of this season's S14 definitely shows that. It would seem the Waratahs are trying to develop a new team with key players (the signing of Phil Waugh cemented the signatures of a few players who probably would have gone elsewhere ... and this signature is definitely a firm show of confidence in the new coaching staff); the Force have struggled and the Brumbies look set to make the Finals in 2010. The last point, if News don't want the product for Pay TV .. I do hope Ten looks at it for ONEHD as this is what rugby is crying out for in Australia. FREE rugby games shown throughout the week .. some live and some replayed! FoxSports ... some of us can't afford your stupid "contract" costs to watch the game we love.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
The expansion to a S18 would be circa 2013.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Well that seems to be the idea behind expanding the S15 to a S18 format that would include the Southern Kings. The other two would be Japanese but they should look at basing a team in Hong Kong as a step into China. Don't know who said it but the fact that the Southern Kings played the Lions doesn't show that they have the bid wrapped up. From my understanding the Southern Kings will be a wholly Black Rugby side whilst the team that played the Lions seemed more of an invitational side. Similar to the Royal XV the Lions played in their first tour match.
onside
Guest
Why not Super 16. Give both South Africa and Australia an extra team.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
There's not a chance SA will get the 15th Team. And realistically they know it surely. They already bemoan the travel issue so why would they subject one of the teams to regular travel on a fortnightly basis. If there not happy with that then tough. I'd still prefer a Trans Tasman Competition with a team from Fiji and Samoa. With Sides from Honk Kong and Japan entering in the future.
retired rucker
Guest
All good points. What I don't get is if SA get the 15th franchise will they be allowed to play their home games in SA? won't the travel and time differences be untenable. It would mean the Southern Kings travelling to Aus every other week, completely nuts and for mine not healthy or safe for the players but they would get alot of frequent flyers! Who bears this cost? Like the criterea. I don't think this has been well thought out.
AndyS
Guest
Sheek, only if SANZAR wants rugby in the SH to relate to the NH just as soccer does (i.e as nothing better than a feeder comp). Can't see it - it would not just be Super rugby, the ANZC and CC would both be decimated also. After all, it has worked so well for the Pacific Islands... I'm not even surprised the Kiwis are not keen on opening it up even within Super rugby. There would be an upside, in that they would probably have at least another team worth of players to choose from playing in the other countries, with the corresponding downside that anyone with an Aussie or Bok in their heritage could be immediately poached without warning or the need to change clubs.
sheek
Guest
I meant to add, players will still be able to retain their nationality, irrespective of where they play. I think this is obvious anyway, looking at football & rugby in the northern hemisphere. Good stuff, BTW, Sammy T.
sheek
Guest
Rugby will follow football/soccer in most things, since that sport is the leading football code in the world. It's already happening in the northern hemisphere, where clubs are chockful of players from most places other than their own backyard. Yes, it's inevitable the SANZAR super teams will be eventually national only in location. You can expect the Aussie franchises to be full of Kiwis, Saffies, Islanders, etc. After all, Australia is the best country in the world to live (whether we can keep it that way is another matter altogether)!
Brett McKay
Guest
Sam, thanks for clearing up the eligibility thing. Hammer, I was going to say that the last artcile I'd read (without finding it) was on the NZ RH site, but now that I think about it, perhaps it was in the context of "NZRU are against any changes at this stage" that Sam has just outlined. Maybe the article was saying it should happen.. Read in The Australian today that Ten are said to be interested in acquiring S15 content for ONE HD, which would be great news if it comes through.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
I'd say that there are three issues affecting a consensus between SANZAR. Most obvious is the location of the 15th team. Next is a relaxation of eligibility rules to allow players to move between SANZAR countries without forfeiting national eligibility. Final issue is further plans for expansion to a Super 18 competition which the ARU are keen to pursue. The 15th spot is confirmed in the Australian conference and Australia wants to make it a home team which is logical. Australia are canvassing the idea of a change to eligibility rules and Steve Tew has publicly stated that the NZRU are against any changes at this stage. Andy Marinos has publicly stated the SARU are against any further expansions to Super rugby if it means a longer season that will either supersede or eradicate their Currie Cup competition. SA has already onsold their rights to the Currie Cup so they have an actual value to the worth of their domestic competition. NZ and AUS has nothing at this stage. Why would future expansion talks at this early stage be of concern to SANZAR? A Super 15 proposal may not be accepted by News Ltd in its current form and it may not be bought at the price SANZAR wants. This proposal will be a pure SANZAR product for the first time as the Currie Cup was previously included as part of the deal for the Super 12 and Super 14 which is why SA received a greater share of revenue. It will be a reality check for the ARU and NZRU as to how much a Super rugby competition is really worth as part of the overall broacasting deal including Tri Nations rugby. News Ltd may also look to change the terms from a five year deal to a three year deal given the falling ratings for Super rugby since 2007 (karma biting you back NZRU). A Super 18 deal is also a better fit for three conferences and a best of six finals format.
Tarpo
Guest
Pablo I admit, NSW are a chance. Are NSW incompetent or do they just hate each other so much that nearly every good idea they have gets scuttled? With Qld i think they just wouldn't know the postman was up them until he blew his whistle!!! Gee there are some similarities between the State rugby unions & the State governments aren't there? scary.
Temba
Guest
The glam of Melbourne far out weighs the need to play for the All Blacks.
Temba
Guest
Let the lad come to Melbourne, we going to need all the help we can get. Plus the woman in Melbourne are far better looking and in greater numbers then over in NZ. We have more night clubs and cool things to do, he can hang out with Ben Cousins and pickup some really interesting habits. :)