The Australian Rugby Union is "extremely confident World Rugby will agree to shift the June Test window -- a move which could fix a major bugbear about Super Rugby," according to the AAP. Since the expansion to 18 teams last year, Super Rugby has "had to break for a month in June while the Wallabies played Tests" against int'l teams, "killing the competition's momentum." The ARU has lobbied World Rugby to shift the Test window from June to July to "alleviate the problem, but the move has always been resisted in the northern hemisphere, particularly by the rich English and French clubs." But the Europeans "are now taking a more flexible approach to the issue and the ARU hopes a decision to shift the Test window will be made this year," although no change could take place until after the 2019 World Cup "because the Test schedule has been locked in." It is "one of the main issues that will be discussed at the World Rugby meeting in Dublin over the next three days" (AAP, 3/7).
CONTRACT LIMBO: In Sydney, Chris Dutton reported Australian Super Rugby teams "have been asked not to re-sign any non-Wallabies players until after SANZAAR officials decide if they will axe one of Australia's five franchises from the competition." A "core group" of Australian players are in "contract limbo" as SANZAAR execs prepare to meet in London on Friday "to discuss the future of Super Rugby." Teams can "still start informal talks with players and give an indication of whether or not they will be offered a new deal, but the contract process will be be put on hold until officials settle on a preferred structure." One of the "several options being floated is axing one Australian team and two South African franchises to make the competition stronger and more appealing" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 3/7).
KIWI CONCUSSION STUDY: In Auckland, Dylan Cleaver reported pioneering research "into the health of retired rugby players conducted in New Zealand will be taken to the global arena." The Rugby Health Project, led by Auckland University of Technology professor Patria Hume, "which discovered higher rates of cognitive impairment in retired rugby players who suffered concussion during their careers," will be extended to the U.K., Canada and Australia. Hume said, "This is a significant development for sport research. Taking the project to an international level will address the growing public interest in the long-term health outcomes of playing rugby" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 3/7).
