Super 12 On Hold But Wa Gets The Nod For State Of The Union Start

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday July 16, 1998

GREG GROWDEN

Western Australia's push to host a Super 12 team may be on hold for at least a year, but they are expected to get a start in an expanded State of the Union series next season.

Australian Rugby Union officials are enthused with the support the Wallabies have received from Perth this week in the lead-up to Saturday night's Tri Nations Test against South Africa at Subiaco Oval. More than 300 fans welcomed the Wallabies at Perth Airport, while some 1,300 attended the team's first training session.

ARU chief executive John O'Neill revealed to the Herald last night that a proposed State of the Union series next year is likely to involve a team from Perth, playing against NSW, Queensland and ACT.

Although Perth is the most likely venue for a fourth Super 12 team - South African teams can play matches there on their way to and from the Australian east coast and New Zealand - O'Neill said there would be no decision until next year on whether the tournament would be expanded.

"The issue of Australia having a fourth Super 12 team is not yet a dead duck, as SANZAR has agreed to review it next year," O'Neill said, adding that an alternative competition was in the planning stage after the ARU board agreed in Melbourne at the weekend not to pursue a national club competition.

The ARU will call on the NSW and Queensland Rugby Unions to play their first- division club competitions so they finish by the end of August, enabling a State of the Union series to be held afterwards involving six teams.

"There is the potential for an end-of-season competition, which would involve an expansion of this year's State of the Union series, which involves Queensland, NSW and ACT," O'Neill said.

"We are looking at involving teams from Melbourne, Perth and probably a Newcastle- Canberra team, which would involve representation from NSW Country."

O'Neill said the teams from Melbourne and Perth could bolster the strength of their lineups by including players who miss out on NSW, Queensland and ACT selection.

"This way we can use the State of the Union as a Super 12 selection trial."

* Wallaby winger Ben Tune remains in doubt for the Springbok Test, while replacement hooker Jeremy Paul was treated yesterday for a corked thigh. Back-up winger Jason Little's calf injury has improved, and he is expected to regain his spot on the bench.