The cup is coming home

Plans to introduce a new, shortened form of rugby from 2012 appear to have been crash-tackled even before making the field after failing to muster support from either the International Rugby Board or SANZAR, the governing body for South African, New Zealand and Australian rugby.

Dreamed up by South Africans Frikkie and Rassie Erasmus, their proposed Twenty20 game is based on two twenty minute spells with amended kicking rules. While little else is known of the new format, it is apparently targeted at those with an attention span incapable of lasting 80 minutes.

SANZAR boss Steve Tew appeared miffed that the promoters of the shortened game had approached prospective players “without the courtesy” of informing SANZAR, adding in a written statement that feedback from super rugby franchises was overwhelmingly negative.

The SANZAR statement can be viewed at http://www.allblacks.com/news/13691/SANZAR-statement-on-alternative-rugby-competition

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