http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/3509892.stm
'Nine Nations' on table
A proposed 'Nine Nations' competition involving the world's leading
rugby nations is to be considered this week.
Bosses of the South African, Australian and New Zealand rugby unions
(Sanzar) will discuss the issue in Sydney.
The tournament would involve New Zealand, Australia, South Africa,
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy.
"It is fair to say the idea is one that the Sanzar executive supports,
" said its chief executive Chris Moller.
The proposed tournament would be played every two years before the World Cup.
The nine nations would form three groups of three teams with the
group winners and the best second-placed side going into the semi-finals,
then a grand final.
Moller, also chief executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union, said:
"We will talk about it again this week but the appropriate time to
truly advance the concept will be April's IRB meeting."
He added: "The three Tri-Nations countries go to the northern hemisphere
in November each year.
"It makes sense that we involve ourselves in a tournament like this."
The proposal is just one of a number of options for Sanzar to consider
ahead of their negotiations with NewsCorp.
The current deal with Rupert Murdoch's company comes to an end in 2005
and the media outfit have made no secret they are looking for an enhanced
package from Sanzar for the relationship between the two to continue.
Other ideas include expanding the Tri-Nations competition to include
Argentina, Japan and either a Pacific Island or Fiji team.
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