Get ready for Super Nine

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Rugby bosses are considering a new-look competition that will pit nine of the world's best rugby nations against one another.

The Tri-Nations and Six Nations countries will consider a proposal circulated to International Rugby Board members in Australia last week calling for a test competition between them to be played around November-December every second year.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Chris Moller said last night that the proposal was at this stage no more than "a high-level concept" but it could be an exciting, addition to the rugby calendar.

"It is not about extending the Tri-Nations," he said. "If it goes ahead it would be a new competition."

Nations in the competition, which could be played as three pools of three teams, would be New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, England, France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Italy.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill said he had scribbled some numbers on the back of an envelope when considering its financial possibilities.

"It has potential, it looks fantastic," he said.

Moller said it was important to understand the concept had nothing to do with the Super 12, although it's a fair bet that moniker would stick, with a new number, if it goes ahead.

"I have heard it tagged a Super Nine but that is not the case. The Super 12 is about franchises. This proposal is about test matches."

Moller said IRB members had discussed the concept in Sydney and the international board had also looked at it. "It would create a competition at international level."

Moller said that if the new competition was approved, it was unlikely to start until 2006.

"I can see real pluses in the concept of a structured international programme, but we need to work through any negatives to come up with something to benefit rugby across the board."

Moller said the IRB was due to meet in April, when he was sure the proposal would be discussed.

* A television report suggesting All Blacks coach John Mitchell has been offered coaching jobs in England and France was "news to me", Moller said.

"I have not heard of any offers. We have been in touch, but there is no obligation for him to discuss it with me."

It is understood Mitchell has been offered a salary of about $900,000 to go to France. That is up to three times more than his contract with the NZRFU which expires at the end of next month.

"Now we have decided it [the coaching role] should be a contestable process, we are keen on having him [Mitchell] apply," Moller said.

It has been reported that the union wants to have its new coach selected before Christmas, but Moller said no final date for applications had been announced.

"It is a reasonably tight time-frame but we are not going to compromise anything by insisting on a hard and fast date. We just want to keep the process moving."