Australia might get two more Super 12 teams, says O'Neill

1.00pm

SYDNEY - Australia could get two more Super 12 teams by 2006, with one of them being a joint venture with South Africa based in Perth, Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill says.

The Super 12 competition was likely to be expanded in 2006 by the introduction of a fourth Australian team, requiring another side to avoid having a bye, O'Neill, who is also a director of Super 12 organising body Sanzar, said yesterday.

While most have assumed the 14th side would come from South Africa, O'Neill said there was the "possibility of a joint venture in Perth," the Sydney Morning Herald reported today.

"There are opportunities if we get a fourth team, and South Africa aren't ready for a fifth team, of a joint venture in Perth," O'Neill said.

"It could be looked at down the track. Still, our main priority is getting the fourth Australian team."

The plan is for the Perth franchise to have an extensive squad split between Australian and South African players, relying on promising junior representatives of both countries.

At the end of the tournament, the players would return to their respective provinces. They would not be allowed to use it as a quick route to representing another country.

A Perth base could also help other South African teams, as a halfway staging post, when they travel to Australia and New Zealand.

Melbourne is the favoured base of the proposed fourth side. Australia is planning to introduce a national club competition in 2005 to assist in the preparation for more Super 12 teams.

Australia has been pushing for a fourth team for the last few years, but has met staunch opposition from New Zealand.

"This has been a disappointing and occasionally bitter exercise for us. A fourth team is crucial for expanding our professional player base and giving mass entertainment rugby a more permanent foothold in emerging markets like Melbourne and Perth," O'Neill said.

- NZPA