South Africa, New Zealand and Australian Rugby (Sanzar) has announced Melbourne as the 15th Super Rugby team to join the competition in 2011.
South Africa, New Zealand and Australian Rugby (Sanzar) has announced Melbourne as the 15th Super Rugby team to join the competition in 2011.
An expert determination panel consisting of former Rugby World Cup-winning captain David Kirk and retired New Zealand High Court Judge, the Hon Barry Paterson QC, was asked by the Sanzar Executive Committee to decide on the location of the 15th Super Rugby team.
The Southern Kings proposal was more advanced with regard to business and financial planning and organisational structure and governance, and they were also able to point to a strong rugby tradition.
But these strengths of the Southern King’s Application did not, however, offset the benefits in geographical location and commercial value to Sanzar.
The 15th Super Rugby team will play in the Australian Conference under the new Super Rugby competition format from 2011.
This means they will play both home and away matches against the other four Australian Ccnference teams.
As a result the Southern Kings will be required to make two crossings of the Indian Ocean every season. The Melbourne application also provided considerably greater commercial benefit to Sanzar than the Southern Kings application.
