The New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew says Australia will benefit a lot from the announcement of a new Super 15 competition, and it is important that the sport makes the most of the market there.
A proposal of an expanded competition will see each country host a conference with the new 15th team to be in Australia.... the winner of each conference qualifies for the finals with the next 3 teams with the best records also qualifying.
Each team plays the other teams in their conference home and away and will then play 8 of the other teams.
The Super 15 season is now expanded to 24 weeks from February to August.
Tew says while it's a long competition, with the likes of the Australian Rugby Union under intense financial pressure, they have to do their best to make the sport viable....
PLAY AUDIO:RUGBY LENGHT
IN:......It is.....
OUT:...good result
DUR:...39 secs
Meanwhile the Tri-Nations will always kick-off in South Africa in mid-August and conclude with two of the three trans-Tasman matches in early October to allow for early release of Springboks to the Currie Cup
