The race for the extra place in an expanded Super 15 competition from 2011 has turned into a two-way battle between Australian entry Melbourne and South Africa's Port Elizabeth.

This follows after the New Zealand Rugby Union decided not to submit a formal bid for the 15th Super Rugby team.

The NZRU said on Monday it had received preliminary interest from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, who withdrew from the process earlier this month, and a group in Taranaki.

Both provinces feed into the existing Wellington Hurricanes franchise.

However, the NZRU said they would not put the Taranaki bid through to governing body Sanzar (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) for further consideration.

Australia have endorsed a bid from Melbourne for the 15th team, while South Africa received just one expression of interest from the Southern Kings franchise from the Eastern Cape region.

The NZRU, in a statement, paid tribute to the efforts made by the Taranaki region in its proposal to be considered for the new 15th Super Rugby franchise.

However, NZRU CEO Steve Tew confirmed that the NZRU Board has decided not to endorse the Taranaki bid for consideration by Sanzar, but that significant thought was given to the merits of the case put forward.

"The proposal put forward by Taranaki was thorough, detailed and professional and has created a foundation for any future proposals from the region," Tew said.

Tew commended Taranaki Rugby, the New Plymouth District Council and Venture Taranaki, for the hard work and commitment put into their proposal.

"That said, we have consistently questioned whether New Zealand has the capacity, either in playing depth or financial resources, to sustain a sixth Super Rugby franchise and that influenced our decision."

While consideration was given to referring the Taranaki proposal on to Sanzar, it was agreed that an expansion of the number of Super Rugby teams in New Zealand would not be in the best interests of New Zealand rugby at this time.

Consideration was also given to the value that a New Zealand-based team would bring to the Australian Conference.

Taranaki RFU CEO Mark Robinson said the Taranaki regional grouping was grateful for the opportunity to present a bid and for the hearing it received from the NZRU.

"The feedback we received was constructive and positive. We were also delighted with the way the Taranaki region came together to put forward this bid and that this work was recognised on its merits.

"There are a number of positives for us in this process in that we can learn from this experience and also build on this as a platform for future opportunities."

The Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union had previously withdrawn its Expression of Interest in the Super Rugby expansion team.

Sanzarwill now consider the proposals referred to it by the Australian Rugby Union (Melbourne) and the South Africa Rugby Union (Eastern Cape).

365

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