A new Australasian Provincial Competition rugby series will kick off next year with the possible future addition of teams from Japan, the Australian Rugby Union said on Friday.
The competition will comprise Australia’s four Super 14 teams — Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and Western Force — playing in a home and away series with a final in a five-week June-July window from 2006.
It will not feature Test players but the competition has been driven by the need for greater player depth after the Wallabies suffered 17 injuries in a five-match losing streak.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Gary Flowers said there were also plans to add two Japanese teams to the series.
”There is the further potential for two Japanese teams to join the competition in the future and perhaps play some non-competition games next year,” Flowers said in a statement.
”Most importantly, there will now be more high quality rugby for our professional players not involved in the Wallaby squad following the completion of the Super 14 season.
”This will also be a direct pathway for club players through to the national team.”
The series announcement follows a meeting of provincial officials this week in which it was agreed that a professional competition bridging club rugby and Super 14 was vital to the high performance requirements of Australia’s Super 14 teams and the Wallabies.
Flowers said a feasibility study would be conducted into the possibility of expanding the Australasian Provincial Competition into a broader competition in the future.
”We will consult with all our stakeholders in carrying out a thorough feasibility assessment and risk analysis,” he said.
Queensland Reds coach Jeff Miller said the new tournament was vital for the development of the game in Australia.
”We have been crying out for a professional competition to bridge the gap between Super 14 and Premier Rugby and now we have it,” Miller said.
”We have long been at a disadvantage compared to the New Zealanders, who have the NPC, and the South Africans and their Currie Cup, so this will level the playing field somewhat.” – AFP
