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Hybrid S14 option for Pumas and Islanders
SMH | Saturday, 22 December 2007
Hybrid S14 option for Pumas and Islanders - Rugby news & coverage - Stuff.co.nz
The pathway for Argentina to be included in an expanded Tri Nations could be created with the inclusion of their top players in a hybrid Super 14 team based in Melbourne.
Australian Rugby Union deputy chief executive Matt Carroll said yesterday it was unlikely that the ARU could carry the full financial burden of an extra Super 14 team, despite Melbourne being touted as the next city for a side.
But he suggested that a Melbourne team could be become a joint venture for marquee players from Argentina, who were third in the World Cup, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
"I don't think Australian rugby could tolerate, at the moment, its own extra team out of its own resources. Four teams seems to be where we are at," said Carroll.
"But that doesn't mean you can't have other teams coming into the competition that might facilitate players (who) might miss out on Super 14 (opportunities).
"If you want Argentina to come into the Tri Nations you have to get Argentina players (here) – whether it is with an additional team which it could be in Super 14 – so they are playing at the same time (or window) as us."
The addition of Argentina as a SANZAR partner is being sought "hard for" by the ARU, says Carroll, since it was made clear to the South Americans that they could not become part of an expanded Six Nations tournament.
Super rugby is in need of a lift and the ARU believes an expanded series that would include 16 teams could help SANZAR for when negotiations with News Ltd start for the next broadcasting deal that expires after 2010.
Carroll said the ARU may also consider allowing foreigners to play in Australian sides, while in turn allow Australian players sign with South African or New Zealand sides without risking their Wallabies selection.
Until now, Australians who play overseas have not been eligible for Wallabies selection because they have been lured by the rich northern hemisphere clubs where the playing schedule clashes with the southern hemisphere.
"Australians could be marquee players in other Super 14 teams. You start to look at it competition-wise as distinct from narrowly in your own back yard," said Carroll. "That (would) allow for (Australian) players to be picked in test teams within the SANZAR year because they would all be playing in the one competition."
Carroll said by making the test selection policy more flexible, Australia had more chance of retaining players rather than risk a mass exodus of emerging super stars who could be lured away by European and Japanese clubs.
"Unless we have strong competitions in the southern hemisphere we won't be able to retain players," he said.
Such reform will be discussed in the ARU's three-month review into the game that will start early next year, and was announced this week when the national union terminated the Australian Rugby Championship after one year.
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Originally Posted by AndyS
