Tri-Nations add more games, Super12 adds 2 teams - 橄欖球

Monday, 6 September, 2004, 07:04 GMT 08:04 UK
Super 12 adds two teams


Rugby union's three southern hemisphere giants have announced a major
expansion of their international and club competitions from 2006.

Two teams will be added to the Super 12 tournament, one from Australia
and the other from South Africa.

And a third round of Tests between the Springboks, Wallabies and All Blacks
will be added to the Tri-Nations.

Australia currently have three teams in the Super 12 while South Africa
have four and New Zealand five.

Sanzar, the organisation that represents the South African, New Zealand and
Australian rugby unions, said the decision to increase the size of the
Super 12 competition reflected demand from fans and television companies.

Australian Rugby Union boss Gary Flowers said: "It has been no secret that
our ambition has been to expand on the huge success of Super 12 in Australia.

"This marks a significant expansion not only for Australian rugby but our
whole game."

Under the current Tri-nations format, the three countries play each other
once at home and once away each season.

From 2006, they will play a third match against each other, with the venue
rotating on a yearly basis.


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