SANZAR refuse new competition

Rassie Erasmus: Will have to wait for his idea to come to fruition

SANZAR have put an end to any chance of Rassie Erasmus' brainchild reduced kicking competition with a statement released on Thursday.

Erasmus had wanted to introduce a 20-minute half and amended rules competition to produce an IPL cricket-style pre-season competition based around entertainment, but there had been limited official movement on the matter and SANZAR put it to rest on Thursday.

"SANZAR will not support or endorse the alternative Rugby competition proposed by individuals in South Africa as reported in various media in recent weeks," read the statement.

"SANZAR's representatives met with the promoters of the competition so as to better understand what was envisaged and because we are always open to any ideas that might help promote Rugby in our three countries. We were told we would then receive a formal proposal and this has not happened"

"However, having considered the concept and the way in which it has been developed; SANZAR has decided it has no interest in any further discussion of the proposed competition."

CEO Steve Tew said that the SANZAR Unions had discussed the concept with its Super Rugby teams and the feedback was overwhelmingly negative due to the potential impact on the preparation of teams for Super Rugby in 2012.

The governing body was also concerned about the impact on player welfare given the period identified for the alternative competition is the main rest and conditioning period for the All Blacks, Springboks and Qantas Wallabies players.

"We do not see any benefits for SANZAR and we have also expressed our strong disappointment to those involved that approaches were made to players in the SANZAR countries without the courtesy of informing the SANZAR member unions in advance," Mr Tew said.

The International Rugby Board Executive Committee and Management have also declined to support the proposal.

All Rugby competitions require the prior approval of the game's world governing body.