The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) announced on Friday that Perth have been chosen as the fourth Australian team for the expanded Super 14 rugby competition in the 2006 season.
Perth beat Melbourne in a vote among ARU board members in Sydney on Friday. They join Australia’s three teams in the current Super 12 competition — ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.
The Perth bid emphasised the city’s location on Australia’s west coast as a stopping-off point for Super 14 teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
Their application was supported by a Aus$25-million ($19-million), government-backed upgrade of their planned home ground, as well as public support from Wallabies captain George Gregan. — Sapa-AFP