S14 Status qou for 2009 (Elvs & play offs)

[PaarlBok]

SARugby.com

Status qou for Super 14 2009
SANZAR postponed an expansion of the Super Rugby finals series until 2010 during a teleconference yesterday. The decision came after partners were unable to agree on a format for the planned six-team playoffs.

SANZAR officials also confirmed the 2009 Super 14 and Tri Nations series would continue to trial sanctions as part of the ELVs package for both tournaments.

This move is in accordance with the IRB's approval in May for SANZAR to extend the experimentation process and allow the use of extra ELVs in addition to the 13 that have been on global trial since August 1 this year.

"These were major issues with major implications in the different markets and we could not reach a consensus on either issue," said Andy Marinos, the acting managing director of SA Rugby, who doubles as the SANZAR MD on a rotational basis.

"We would all like to have gone to a six-team play-off series in 2009 and accepted that principle at our July meeting in Perth, but we could not agree on the play-off structure that was to be adopted and, in the interests of SANZAR, we opted to remain with the status quo."

Marinos also said the SANZAR partners were unable to agree a common approach on the ELVs and opted for the status quo.

"SANZAR was given IRB approval in May to further trial an expanded form of the ELVs and after reflection we have re-committed to that principle as an organisation," said Marinos.

"The ELVs as applied in the Tri-Nations will continue into the 2009 SANZAR competitions - we're smart enough and professional enough as rugby nations to adapt when we have to."

The Super 14 will kick-off on the weekend of February 13/14 and the fixtures for the 2009 season will be issued in due course.

 

[PaarlBok]

Look like the refs will be taken from a panel in future rather then country bound.
SARugby.com

SANZAR has taken the ground-breaking step of empowering their top match officials to referee more of the best matches in Super 14, ensuring the highest standard of refereeing in its 2009 competitions.

Officials will be appointed from a panel founded on merit before nationality and will no longer be prevented from refereeing their countrymen in opposition to another nation. In effect, this will allow a referee from one of the SANZAR countries to referee in matches involving teams from his country, regardless of the opponent.

"This is a significant step and was taken simply because we wanted to have the best refereeing the best," said Andy Marinos, managing director of SANZAR.

"It will create a more competitive environment for our referees and will also lead to greater accountability.?

"It obviously means that a South African, Australian or New Zealander could referee his countrymen when they play against a team from one of the other two nations. But we are confident in the ability of our officials to handle the change."

Match referees will be appointed from a pilot merit panel that will be named before the start of the Super 14 season. The panel will be revised after six weeks into the competition and a second time before the semi-finals.

"The move to 'neutral' officials was one of the major strides that professional rugby took but as the game has matured it has become obvious that we need the best officials on the field," said Marinos.

"Referees will have the opportunity to move up the pecking order as the season progresses, providing them with tangible performance incentives".