NZ outvoted in bid to change game's format

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.