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Leagues and Governing Bodies

SANZAAR Announces Revamped 15-Team Competition; Western Force Set For Ax

An Australian Super Rugby team "will be axed next year after SANZAAR announced a revamped 15-team competition" -- a decision described by the Rugby Union Players' Association as a "catalyst for an irresponsible human cost," according to Tom Decent of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said that he "does not expect a quick decision on which Australian team will be shafted. " Following "months of speculation and uncertainty," the game's southern hemisphere governing body decided on a 15-team model consisting of three conferences. While there has not been a formal decision on which Australian team will be cut, "the team most likely to be axed will be the Western Force." The RUPA, which has "fought tirelessly" to keep all five teams, "slammed the announcement." RUPA CEO Ross Xenos said, "It is tomorrow's players, coaches and fans who will now pay the price for this strategic mismanagement" (SMH, 4/9). The AAP reported "under pressure due to financial losses and fan discontent over the confusing and unbalanced competition," SANZAAR "opted to slash" Super Rugby from 18 teams to 15 and from four conferences to three -- the numbers that existed in '15. The three five-team conferences will be New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, with Japan's Sunwolves to join the Australian conference and Argentina's Jaguares to play in the South Africa conference. Western Force CEO Mark Sinderberry said that he was confident the Perth-based franchise would "survive the axe," saying the "Own the Force" campaign was "just one compelling reason to keep the team." Sinderberry: "We're going to be financially independent of the ARU (Australian Rugby Union), and on top of that we're the third-biggest rugby community in Australia" (AAP, 4/9). In Auckland, Patrick McKendry reported Marinos mentioned the feedback of supporters as a "major driver of change," adding, "SANZAAR cannot continue to ignore the extensive feedback that it has received from fans, stakeholders and commercial partners around the integrity of the competition format and performances of the teams. We want to see an engaging, vibrant and competitive competition that delivers a strong high performance pathway in all markets that will have a positive flow into the international game" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 4/10). In Sydney, Jamie Pandaram reported Western Force captain Matt Hodgson said that "rugby would not survive in the west if the club is dissolved." Hodgson added, "I think the way it's been done is probably the most annoying thing, it's dragged on." The ARU has "already drawn up a 15-team model without the Force." ARU CEO Bill Pulver and Chair Cameron Clyne will address the media on Monday "about the changes to Super Rugby but will not announce the team being cut" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 4/9).

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