Monday night games likely for Super 14

Monday night rugby could be introduced to the new Super 14 if a leaked draw is to be believed.

The Otago Daily Times has obtained what appears to be a draw for the new competition that includes six home games for the Highlanders and a trip to Perth to play the new West Australian franchise.

An attached note outlines the likelihood of games being played on Monday nights and on Monday afternoons of public holidays.

That would follow the trend of American football, which attracts huge crowds and television audiences on Monday nights.

In the draw, there are no set dates for games, but the last game listed in each round is one in Australia or New Zealand, indicating it could be played on a Monday night.

Highlanders chairman Stuart McLauchlan questioned the authenticity of the draw and said he was unaware Monday night games were being considered.

"If anything like that had been discussed, I'm sure it would have been shared with us," he said.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew confirmed to the Sunday Star-Times newspaper that the concept was being considered.

"Monday night rugby is something broadcasters have said they would value highly," Tew said.

Clearly it's a very popular part of the mix in other sports around the world and it may one day fit into ours and we haven't dismissed it for 2006 and beyond."

However, Tew cast doubt over the validity of the leaked draw, saying there was no draft draw in circulation.

Another feature of the draw was the scheduling of the first round of games for the weekend of February 10-13, two weeks earlier than normal.

* Queenstown will be considered as a Super 14 rugby venue as soon as 2007.

Queenstown Events Centre manager Andrew Tingate said a pre-season match in February would effectively be a trial for the ground's suitability for hosting a Super 14 game. The stand can hold only about 750 fans, but Tingate claimed the ground could pack in between 12,000 and 13,000 spectators.

- NZPA