Delay fear for Super 12 expansion
July 31, 2001

The proposed expansion of the Super 12 to Super 14 in 2003 could be delayed after the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU)issued a set of demands the it wants met before it sanctions the move.

Reports in Australia say the New Zealanders want increased revenue from internationals played in Europe, want to reduce the number of Tests played, establish the same tour timetable in all three SANZAR counties.

No Super 12 expansion can go ahead unless there is total agreement between the three countries and Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive John O'Neill has accused the NZRFU of not having the expansion of the Super 12 as their number one priority.

He said to acceed to New Zealand demands would require the go ahead from the IRB and support from the northern hemisphere, something he could not see being achieved before 2003.

"There's obviously concern that there may not be room for compromise," he told The Australian"Obviously our priority was the expansion of Super 12 and to a certain extent I think that's the priority of the South African Rugby Football Union. New Zealand's priority is certainly not the expansion of Super 12. That is well down the list for them."

The ARU do not necessarily disagree with the demands made by the NZRFU but do object to them becoming a condition of expansion and will be seeking further explanation from the NZRFU.

It had been thought that the expansion to a Super 14 format would be finally agreed next month after the proposal was passed in principle in Sydney earlier this month.

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