SYDNEY - The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is expected to pressure New Zealand to agree to expand the Super 12 by threatening to withdraw support for a change over test match revenues.
The ARU wants the Super 12 increased to 14 teams with the addition of an Australian and a South
African side.
Last year, the Sanzar board representing the three national unions agreed to the proposal, which was due to take effect next year, but special conditions being sought by New Zealand are reported to have proved the stumbling block.
An emergency Sanzar meeting has been scheduled in South Africa this weekend to try to resolve the stalemate.
At the meeting, the ARU will threaten to reconsider its support for a New Zealand-backed proposal to equalise test revenues, if the Super 12 impasse remains, The Australian newspaper reported today.
Under present agreements, the host country keeps revenues from test matches, a situation that benefits Australia more than New Zealand because of the bigger grounds on this side of the Tasman.
Under the equalisation proposal, test revenues would be shared between the two unions involved in the match.
"The ARU's enthusiasm for certain recommendations will be seriously diminished if New Zealand continues to impose conditions on the expansion of the Super 12," an ARU spokesman said.
The upcoming Sanzar meeting has been preceded by a series of articles in the Australia media highlighting New Zealand's stance over Super 12 expansion.
Earlier this week, ARU chief executive John O'Neill said he would be devastated were a fourth Australian team not added to the competition.
"We will be extremely disappointed if we don't get the go-ahead, as so much preparation has gone into it," he said.
"But if it's not on, we need to know, because we have a plan B. This just has to be resolved."
- NZPA
