SANZAAR denies speculation of change in Super Rugby format
The Super Rugby 2020 tournament is currently suspended
©PA
SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos has denied speculations of change in Super Rugby format following the pandemic coronavirus.
The tournament has been suspended since the completion of the 13th round and with travel restrictions across countries a number of reports stating that a new model is being considered.
Earlier, Australia international Matt Toomua urged the Australian board to have the current model replaced by a local model while New Zealand Rugby had announced a review of the current Super Rugby structure.
“Having spoken with my SANZAAR Board members I can confirm that none of the suggested models or structures that have been commented on recently, such as stand-alone Trans-Tasman formats, have been agreed by any of the SANZAAR unions individually or collectively. All such reports are merely speculative and have no basis to them," he said in a statement released by SANZAAR.
“This is not to say that we are not having realistic discussions on what may have to eventuate should COVID-19 restrictions continue beyond 2020.
"We are presently looking in detail at various competition formats but any agreed format will include teams from all four stakeholder national unions. Due to uncertainty over what various government restrictions, if any, may look like next year including international travel, no date has been set yet as to when a decision will be made on 2021 and beyond.
"A major consideration is that we also have an obligation to discuss any contingencies with our Broadcaster partners in the first instance after which we will make public comment.”
