NZ outvoted in bid to change game's format

25 September 2016 - 02:00 By REUTERS

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) lobbied furiously to change the Super Rugby play-offs format, but were knocked back by Australia and South Africa, the organisation's chief executive Steve Tew has said. Super Rugby expanded to 18 teams, including sides in Japan and Argentina, this past season but critics in New Zealand felt playing schedules were unfair and that the post-season format was not an accurate reflection of the competition.Earlier this week Andy Marinos, the head of tournament organisers Sanzaar, told reporters in Sydney, Australia, there would be no change to the competition format next season.New Zealand Rugby's Tew, however, said he had lobbied to change the finals format, where each of the four conference winners - one each in New Zealand and Australia and two from South Africa - are given home advantage throughout the post-season.story_article_left1"We couldn't get agreement from Australia and South Africa," Tew told a conference call with New Zealand media on Friday. "We have tried and haven't completely given up but it's unlikely we will get any substantial change in the finals format next year."If there are any changes for 2018, then that gives another chance to have that debate. We think it makes much more sense to have a straight top eight. It makes it a lot easier for the fans."They can almost disregard the complications of the conferences and just look at the log and say 'is my team in the top eight?'."New Zealand sides occupied four of the eight playoff spots this season.The Otago Highlanders, who finished third on total points, however, were ranked fifth according to the format.The Chiefs and Crusaders also finished with more points than the Australian conference-winning Brumbies, who had the seventh highest points total.The fourth-ranked Brumbies hosted the Highlanders in the first round of the play-offs and Tew said his organisation felt a table based solely on total points would have been simpler."We think it would have produced a fairer finals result this year but our partners think it was an aberration and we won't have four teams in the finals again, which is fine," Tew said."They don't want a change and you've got to have agreement in Sanzaar ... that's the beauty of a joint venture."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.