Super 14 set for revamp

The 2009 edition of Rugby's Super 14 competition is likely to be the last to be played under the existing 13-match format.
Australian Rugby Union (ARU) Chief Executive, John O'Neill, has proposed that the Super 14 to be played over 26 weeks, instead of the current 16, with eight teams contesting a month-long final series in August.
An attempt to address the competitionâs slide in television ratings, the extra matches would include crowd-pulling domestic derbies. O'Neill has also suggested that Australia should enter a new fifth team, rather than four, to bring them in line with New Zealand and South Africa.
The proposals, which could be introduced as early as 2010, are expected to be agreed prior to the competitionâs new television deal.
In a separate move, the ARU is considering private investment in its Super 14 franchises, following an $8.4 million loss in 2007.