The newest addition to Vodacom Super Rugby in 2016 will not be a team of “mercenaries” put together with a big budget.
That’s the word of Sanzar chief executive Greg Peters, who said the 18th team that will go out to tender to join the Southern Hemisphere competition will need to be sustainable, and have the support of the market it bases itself in.
So far Sanzar has received interest from Spain, Singapore, Japan and the USA, but it is doubtful if any of these countries could put together a team that could be competitive over 17 weeks of the competition in 2016.
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“We’re happy it was announced and we’re now moving on the 18th team, the commercialisation of the competition and selling the competition to broadcasters,” Peters said.
But the Sanzar boss said while the principles will be similar to the bidding process that saw the Melbourne Rebels join the competition in 2011, they will be strict and that Sanzar was keeping an open mind on matters.
“It will be slightly different now as we are open to proposals from outside the four territories. Last time it was a process where the Rebels and Kings submitted a bit, and this time there will be no closed doors, although the criteria will be similar.”
That criteria – which includes rugby readiness and competitiveness as a team, the value that it can bring to Sanzar and how the team would fit into the long-term vision of Super Rugby, and the obvious geographical issues that will have to be overcome.
“At the end of the day wherever the territory where the team is based, they will have to capture the hearts and minds of fans in that region. We would definitely want local players to be involved. Local players would have to make up a good proportion of the team, we don’t want a situation where a team looks like the Harlem Globetrotters of basketball.”
Peters said this fact – that the team was not composed by “mercenaries” is an important one for Sanzar to consider.
“We are fundamentally about rugby, about the game of rugby and we want to continue that,” he said.
Peters said the International Rugby Board will have to sanction any new entry into the Super Rugby competition, as well as the national union of the team involved.
But one thing is sure, the team isn’t likely to come from any of the IRB or territory competitions that is currently in operation – for instance the Heineken Cup. So no European side, such as one of the big French teams – is likely to be able to field a second side in Super Rugby.
“Our documents are ready to go and we should have expressions of interest by early June. We will shortlist the serious expressions and then we have a month or so to evaluate the teams, and an audit process will take place.”
Sanzar is hoping to award the 18th franchise before the end of the year.