SANZAAR chairperson quits, calls for radical change – and no Super Rugby

The chairperson of SANZAAR, Brett Impey, resigned on Tuesday calling for the governing body of southern hemisphere rugby to throw open its membership to developing rugby nations worldwide.

Impey proposed a radical overhaul which could see the creation of a bloc to rival the power of the game’s northern hemisphere giants by expanding beyond current members South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia.

THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP THE GAME

The New Zealander said potential candidates could include Japan, Romania, Georgia, the Pacific island nations, as well as countries in the Americas such as Uruguay, Brazil and Canada.

“Outside of Europe, there are opportunities to develop the game, so SANZAAR should be welcoming in those countries as members and creating competitions which are going to allow the likes of Japan and Fiji to progress to the next level,” he told reporters.

Impey unveiled his global vision after announcing he will step down as SANZAAR chairperson on December 31, saying the role had brought conflicts of interest with his other position as New Zealand Rugby chairperson.