Dublin meeting sees Super 14 split avoided

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.

South Africa had fallen out with the other two nations over details of the plan to expand the Super 14 to 15 teams from 2011, sparking fears that they would break away from the competition for the leading clubs and provinces.

However, agreement on a new structure was reached yesterday, though no details will be released until the representatives reported back to their unions, SANZAR chief executive Andy Marinos said in a statement.

“Whilst there was a robust and constructive discussion of the issues it was clear that the partners were all united in wanting to continue playing Super rugby and Tri-Nations,” Marinos said.

The current SANZAR agreement on Super 14 expires at the end of 2010 and the partners are due to present a new proposed structure to broadcasters at the end of June.

Meanwhile it has been claimed the England Football Association’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup would receive a major shot in the arm if the country is awarded the 2015 Rugby World Cup, according to sports minister Andy Burnham.

The Government views both World Cup bids as key pillars in its so-called decade of sport, which already includes the 2012 London Olympic Games and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Burnham was part of the RFU’s presentation delegation in Dublin yesterday and he believes the FA’s bid would benefit greatly from the legacy left by the 2012 Olympics and a Rugby World Cup.

“One reinforces the other,” said Burnham.

The RFU are competing with South Africa, Italy and Japan for the right to host the 2015 World Cup, with the IRB to decide on July 28.

FIFA will make their decision on where to stage the 2018 World Cup in December 2010.

The British Government has agreed to underwrite part of the £80million tournament fee the RFU would be liable for in 2015. Burnham accepted there will be critics who will question why the Government is investing in the Olympics and a twin World Cup bid when the country is in recession.

But he argued the decade of sport is a vital to help boost both the health of the nation and the health of the economy.

An independent report from Deloitte concluded the economic benefits to the host nation of a Rugby World Cup are valued at £2.1billion. It is considered the third biggest sporting event in the world.