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.