The planned expansion of the Super 14 play-offs from four teams to six has been delayed until the 2010 season after the nations involved were unable to agree on a format.
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (Sanzar) will also continue to trial the experimental law variations (ELVs) next year, which see most penalty offences become free kicks instead, rather than adopt an expanded form of the laws.
”These were major issues with major implications in the different markets and we could not reach a consensus on either issue,” Andy Marinos, Sanzar’s managing director, told reporters.
”We would all like to have gone to a six-team play-off series in 2009 and accepted that principle at our July meeting in Perth, but we could not agree on the play-off structure that was to be adopted and, in the interests of Sanzar, we opted to remain with the status quo.”
He added that the Sanzar partners were unable to agree a common approach on the ELVs and opted for the status quo.
”Sanzar was given International Rugby Board approval in May to further trial an expanded form of the ELVs and after reflection we have re-committed to that principle as an organisation,” said Marinos.
”The ELVs as applied in the Tri-Nations will continue into the 2009 Sanzar competitions — we’re smart enough and professional enough as rugby nations to adapt when we have to.”
The southern hemisphere provincial tournament kicks off on February 13. — AFP
