SA chief rules out Magners League move

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.

Reports yesterday suggested SARU is on the verge of joining the northern hemisphere-based Magners League due to better time zones for games.

South African rugby acting managing director Andy Marinos said there is no truth to the speculation and they want to put the record straight in that they have no plans to desert SANZAR. “There is not a jot of truth in this speculation and we wouldn’t normally even bother responding to such a story,” said Marinos, in a statement.

“But as it has now grown via the internet from speculation from one source in Australasia to a real possibility in websites across Europe, we thought rugby supporters would like the record put straight.

“So let me put it quite plainly: we have had no informal or formal discussions with the Magners League — or any European-based leagues for that matter — about deserting our SANZAR partners and playing in a northern hemisphere-based tournament. And nor do we have any plans to hold such discussions,” he said.

“We remain committed to SANZAR and are taking a full part in discussions looking at the possible expansion of the tournament — a desire we share with our Australian and New Zealand partners. SANZAR’s tournaments are vibrant, hugely popular with our supporters of the very highest rugby quality and remain central to our forward planning.”

Marinos said logistically the move would be impossible as the northern and southern hemisphere seasons don’t overlap.

He also believed it would be a drop in the standard of rugby.

SANZAR’s current broadcasting agreement ends in 2010 and they are looking at expansion options within their own boundaries and in Asia and the Americas while there is pressure to bring Argentina into the Tri Nations.

Speculation about South Africa looking elsewhere is nothing new. It has dogged the SANZAR setup for years with South Africa burdened by travel and tempted to move into a time zone that sees their rugby fall into the same sort of kick-offs as those operating in Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe.