Wellington Rugby Union Confirms Bid To Buy License To Run Hurricanes Franchise

The Wellington Rugby Union confirmed its bid to "buy the licence to run the Hurricanes franchise," according to Toby Robson of THE DOMINION POST. The New Zealand Rugby Union revealed this week it has "moved into the final phase of negotiations" after opening four of its five Super Rugby teams up to private investors. NZRU CEO Steve Tew said that successful applicants would be announced next month. However, he will not say "how many expressions of interest have been received or by whom." For his part, Wellington Rugby Union CEO James Te Puni was "happy to confirm" on Friday that the union was "keen to take control of the franchise's affairs." Puni: "Wellington Rugby has put in a bid for the Hurricanes Super Rugby licence that NZRU opened to tender earlier this year" (THE DOMINION POST, 9/22).