News

Melbourne fronts Australian bid

August 12 2009

The ARU has selected Melbourne as the country's sole contender for the 15th Super Rugby franchise.

Western Sydney, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast all lost out, while New South Wales Country withdrew.

The 15th team will play in the Australian conference as a part of the revamped competition, which will feature geographically-based conferences, but South Africa are putting forward the Southern Kings as a bid for the franchise to SANZAR, while New Zealand will also table a bid.

ARU chief executive, John O'Neill said Melbourne gave Australia the best chance of securing the franchise.

"The ARU has called on the three parties from Victoria who put forward separate expressions of interest to join forces to ensure Australia's prospects of securing the 15th Super rugby licence are maximised," an ARU statement said on Wednesday.

Managing director and CEO John O'Neill added: "We want to make sure the 15th team is in Australia; thus the ARU will facilitate the potential for a seamless and sensible amalgamation of those interested parties.

"It will surely put us in the best position possible.

"There are elements in each of the Melbourne expressions of interest that ensure the sum of the parts will be extremely powerful.

" ... At this stage in the evolution of Super rugby, we believe Melbourne has the best chance of success.

"We are in a three-nation race for the licence and we want the 15th team in Australia.

"So we need to focus our energy on what will be our most compelling bid."

SANZAR are set to make their decision in October.