EPCR talk surprises Marinos

Editor

SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos has poured cold water on news that a clash between the Super Rugby and Champions Cup winners is near.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) on Friday issued a statement that they were in talks about a proposed game between the champions.

But that is news to Marinos, who told Fairfax Media that SANZAAR has not spoken with EPCR and believes there's been some "wire crossing".

"It's probably a little bit of a premature bullet that's been fired across the ditch in our direction," Marinos said.

"As CEO of SANZAAR, I haven't been contacted or spoken to anyone in regards to any such game. I was pretty surprised to see it across the newspapers and all the media platforms. I don't know whether there might have been a bit of a wire crossing…it's probably an eagerness on the part of European Rugby." 

Despite cooling talk of the game being on the horizon, Marinos did not rule the prospect out in the future.

"It's been one of those items that's been on the radar for a number of years, so I don't think it's something we would completely discount but not at this stage are we looking at anything like that," he added..

"I think the focus is getting our current competition structure off to a successful launch in its first season – that's got to be our focus. At SANZAAR we'll certainly be looking over the next cycle to see how we can improve and advance the competition that we've currently got. If that means looking at alternatives like that, we'll certainly entertain those as part of a wider discussion."