Australia hooker Saia Fainga’a has been handed a two-week suspension after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle against South Africa in the Tri Nations encounter in Bloemfontein yesterday.

A split looks to be quickly brewing in southern hemisphere rugby after South Africa conceded it was exploring the possibility of breaking away from SANZAR.

Peter de Villiers will have to wait to hear what charges, if any, he may have to face after SANZAR reserved judgement in the misconduct case against him until Monday.

Argentina today moved a step closer to competing in an expanded Four Nations tournament with Australia, New Zealand and Australia after the International Rugby Board changed a regulation on player availability.

SANZAR have ruled out the possibility of a ’Battle of the Hemispheres’ competition, despite admitting “liking the concept”.

ARGENTINA has moved a step closer to joining an expanded Tri-Nations in 2012 after the International Rugby Board yesterday announced a $10m (€7.5m) funding package to support the programme.

The International Rugby Board’s Executive Committee have ratified a financial package that moves Argentina a step closer to joining an expended Tri Nations competition from 2012.

ARGENTINA are set to join the Tri Nations in 2012 after International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset confirmed the body would provide a crucial funding package.

Argentina is set to join the Tri Nations in 2012 after International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Bernard Lapasset confirmed the body would provide a crucial funding package for the project.

Martin Johnson has called on the International Rugby Board to standardise refereeing the world over and end the north-south divide.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has endorsed the new law interpretations featured in the opening two rounds of the Super 14 competition, but believes referees must go a step further in order to achieve perfection.

ARGENTINA’S rugby union boss Porfirio Carreras has described the invitation to join an expanded Tri-Nations competition from 2012 as a “momentous time” for the sport in the country.

Argentina have been invited to join New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in a new Four Nations tournament from 2012.

BILLIONAIRE businessman Denis O’Brien is strongly believed to be the Irish backer of a possible Super 15 franchise on Australia’s Gold Coast.

A SPLIT among the three host nations in the southern hemisphere’s Super rugby competition has been avoided after a meeting of the SANZAR nations’ executive committee in Dublin yesterday.

FORMER Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has launched a stinging attack on the Southern hemisphere’s Super 14 describing it as a dud and, due to the glut of free kicks, admits he can’t be bothered watching it.

THE South African Rugby Union (SARU) has moved to reiterate its commitment to the Super 14 tournament in the wake of reports linking it to a shift to the northern hemisphere.

South African Rugby has moved quickly to quash rumours the country is considering ending its involvement in the Super 14 to join the European-based Magners League.

SOUTH AFRICAN Rugby Union president and Sanzar chairperson Oregan Hoskins wants Argentina to join a expanded Tri-Nations tournament by 2012.

ARGENTINE rugby is poised to have a European presence with Magners League involvement from 2010, while the Pumas are also in line for inclusion in an expanded Tri-Nations southern hemisphere international competition from 2012.

The South African Rugby Union has failed in their attempt to scrap the controversial sanctions regulation from next season’s Super 14 and Tri-Nations.

Australia and New Zealand will kick-off the 2009 Tri-Nations tournament in Auckland on July 18.

THE IRFU yesterday insisted they’ve priced their corporate seats right at the new Lansdowne Road — even though their co-tenants, the FAI is seeking twice as much from potential buyers for their own premium packages.

AUSTRALIA head coach Robbie Deans believes the Experimental Law Variations were “adopted for good reason” and described the consequences of the controversial ‘sanctions regulation’ as minimal.

ARGENTINA will step up their bid to join the Six Nations by presenting their case to the International Rugby Board later this month.

WORLD rugby’s senior administrator has called for Argentina to join an expanded Tri-Nations tournament, saying the Pumas couldn’t be “neglected” any longer.

World Cup surprise package Argentina should be included in an expanded southern hemisphere Tri-Nations tournament, International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman Dr Syd Millar said today.

The rugby unions of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia today voiced their support for the six senior European Unions in the Heineken Cup dispute.

ULSTER’S big-name signing Justin Harrison will not play again for his Super 12 side New South Wales Waratahs until a disciplinary hearing takes place after he admitted making a racial comment to a South African player last weekend.

Australian lock Justin Harrison today admitted making a racial slur against a black South African opponent during a Super 12 match last weekend.

SANZAR, the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions, has announced that two additional teams will be added to the Super 12 – one from Australia and one from South Africa, creating a Super 14 competition.

THE Australian Rugby Union confirmed yesterday it had received complaints from fans about the clumsy presentation of medals to the vanquished Wallabies by former Irish international Syd Millar, the chairman of the International Rugby Board.

NEW ZEALAND took a step towards regaining the Bledisloe Cup when they beat Australia 12-6 in a scrappy Tri-nations match on Saturday.