Rugby in the southern hemisphere is poised for major changes not seen since the sport went professional in 1995, Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief executive John O’Neill said on Tuesday.
O’Neill said the annual Super rugby competition, which involves 14 teams at present, could expand to 18 sides, possibly into Japan and North America, by 2013. Test matches between Australia and New Zealand could also be hosted overseas.
The Wallabies and All Blacks are to play a Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong on November 1, before both teams travel on to Europe for Test matches over the following four weeks.
”I think the opportunity is there to evolve to the next stage, I think we’re ready for it,” O’Neill said during a news conference to name the Wallabies squad for the November tour.
”We are hopeful in 2010 we will go to Super 15 and then within a three-year period go to Super 18.
”That brings with it an opportunity to expand into a Japanese market, maybe the American market.
”This is another moment of transformation. The game was transformed in 1995/96 with the arrival of the professional era.”
While teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa compete for the Super 14 title, O’Neill has long been keen on expanding the competition into Japan to tap into the lucrative Asian markets.
New Zealand (NZRU) officials have also been interested in including the south Pacific nations, while Argentina has been suggested as realigning within an expanded pan-Pacific international competition.
The NZRU have also signed a cooperation agreement with USA Rugby, and local media have reported the All Blacks were examining playing Tests in the United States, either against Australia in Denver, or Ireland in Boston or New York.
”Tokyo, there’s talk of a game in Denver, Colorado,” O’Neill said of any possible addition off-shore matches.
”We might even play the All Blacks and Wallabies at Twickenham, that’s not out of the question.” — Reuters