Sanzar considers 'Nine Nations' tournament

A proposed knockout tournament involving the world-leading rugby nations is to be considered at a meeting in Sydney this week, according to the New Zealand Sunday News newspaper.

The meeting of the South African, New Zealand and Australian rugby unions (Sanzar) will discuss the proposal for the concept of a Nine Nations competition that would involve New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy.

The tournament would be played every two years before the World Cup and would see the nine nations form three groups of three teams with the group winners and the best second-placed side going into the semi-finals, then a grand final.

Sanzar and New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller told the newspaper: “It is fair to say that the idea is one that the Sanzar executive supports.

“We will talk about it again this week but the appropriate time to truly advance the concept will be April’s IRB meeting.”

He added: “The three Tri-Nations countries go to the northern hemisphere in November each year.

“It makes sense that we involve ourselves in a tournament like this.”

The proposal is just one of a number of options for Sanzar to consider ahead of their negotiations with NewsCorp.

The current deal with Rupert Murdoch’s company comes to an end in 2005 and the media outfit have made no secret they are looking for an enhanced package from Sanzar for the relationship between the two to continue.

Other ideas include expanding the Tri-Nations competition to include Argentina, Japan and either a Pacific Island or Fiji team.