Southern hemisphere rugby chiefs on Wednesday said a World Cup-winning captain and a retired high court judge had been appointed to decide which team would join an expanded Super 15 competition.
David Kirk, who led the All Blacks to the 1987 world title, and former New Zealand judge Barry Paterson QC will break the deadlock over whether Melbourne or South Africa’s Eastern Cape would host the new team.
”The panel will review SANZAR [South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby] documentation and the detailed applications received from the ARU [Australian Rugby Union], supporting Melbourne, and SA Rugby, supporting the Southern Kings,” a statement said.
The panel was appointed after a SANZAR meeting failed to resolve the dispute last week. Kirk and Paterson are expected to announce their decision in the next two weeks.
SANZAR is moving to expand its current Super 14, formerly Super 12, competition for the second time in three years to extend its reach and increase its audience. — AFP
