'Kiwis hampering Super 12 expansion'
January 22, 2002

Plans for the Super 12 competition to be expanded to 14 teams are being stymied again by New Zealand, Australian officials said in a published report on Tuesday.

Last July, SANZAR, the three-country board that regulates the Super 12 tournament involving South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, said that a Super 14 competition - with Australia and South Africa each getting an additional team - would be launched next year subject to all three national unions agreeing.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill has previously complained that New Zealand has tried to block expansion by seeking a number of compromises in an unrealistic time frame.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph on Tuesday reported the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRFU) had drawn up a list of conditions they want Australia and South Africa to meet for a Super 14 to go ahead, including an increased share of broadcasting rights.

"As keen as we are to expand Super 12 and have a fourth side, we won't sell our souls to New Zealand," O'Neill was quoted as saying.

He added that the latest claims could jeopardise a Super 14 start next year. "This was all approved by the SANZAR board on July 11 last year," he said.

"It is now January. We only received these conditions from New Zealand in the last month and some of the conditions are just unacceptable.

"Further negotiations and discussions will have to take place, but one of the joint venture partners imposing conditions like this now is a bit rich after the SANZAR approval." - Sapa

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