SANZAR 15th Team Decision

[Happy]

SANZAR Executive Committee decides that the 15th Super Rugby Team decision is to go to Arbitration

The SANZAR Executive Committee met today to consider the applications from Melbourne and the Southern Kings to be the 15th Super Rugby team.

Following discussion it was clear that the Executive Committee would not reach the required unanimity with the ARU expressing its support for Melbourne and SA Rugby expressing its support for the Southern Kings.

As a result no vote was taken by the Executive Committee and it was agreed that the matter should proceed to arbitration in accordance with the SANZAR Joint Venture Agreement.

SANZAR will move quickly to set up an independent arbitration process which will result in a binding decision.

[zimeric]

anyone NOT see that coming

[Sheikh]

What's the make-up of the Arbitration panel? One from each nation?

[travelling_gerry]

nope....2

[AndyS]

I thought that was todays meeting that had two reps from each country, with arbitration yet to be defined but altogether separate from Sanzar. But for mine, of more interest than the make-up of the panel is the terms of reference and criteria...is it just the best financial outcome, will the broadcaster be able to express a preference, is there a player welfare component, etc, etc.

According to Smith in the Australian, "Somewhat surprisingly, there are indications South Africa would accept the appointment of a Sydney QC to hear the matter while all parties are in town."

[TommyM]

Won't it really come down to the broadcaster? If Newscorp say they want the team in Melbourne (which apparently they do), I'd have thought that would eventually settle it.

[GIGS20]

I wonder what the New Zealanders did all day.....surely a deciding vote could have sorted the whole mess out!

[Burgs]

So, ladies and gentlemen, in conclusion, after six months thought our decision is to let someone else make the decision...

[Sheikh]

The story at the top says that the decision had to be unanimous. If that's true then there was never going to be a decision today.

[TOCC]

no it wasnt, but NZ proposed a few months ago that for decisions to be made it only requried a majority ruling, RSA obviously rejected this since Australia and New Zealand usually vote together.

[GIGS20]

Is the unanimity thing written in to the SANZAR constitution? Surely that would make ANY decision go to arbitration!

Why not skip the initial process altogether and go direct to the arbitration model?

[TOCC]

Is the unanimity thing written in to the SANZAR constitution? Surely that would make ANY decision go to arbitration!

Why not skip the initial process altogether and go direct to the arbitration model?

the current system has worked in the past, i think due to the added policitcal pressure of this decision, that the SARU doesnt want to be seen as backing down even though it might be inevitable that they will lose.

[zimeric]

dont count the chicks Mate.. stranger decisions have been made.

[James]

dont count the chicks Mate.. stranger decisions have been made.

Only two come to mind: the spontaneous combustion of the mayor of Warsaw in 1687, and that time in 16th century Bordeaux when it rained herring.

[Timbo]

We have just been contacted by solicitors representing Red Dwarf - something about copyright breach ................