Scrum of the Earth /

We thought the Heineken Cup wasn’t as good as the Super 14?

However it turns out the southern hemisphere is fed up with the current Super rugby competition and is ready to ditch the existing model in favour of a European-style structure.

Rumours have been circulating that a new 14-team-Tasman competition with a European Cup style international format built into the provincial window is being discussed.

Representatives from some of New Zealand’s provincial unions have been secretly meeting behind closed doors for a number of weeks while it is understood that the proposal has also been put to Australian Rugby Union chief John O’Neill.

Like the Super 14, the Air NZ Cup has run its cause and the nine New Zealand provinces are strongly pushing for a refreshed competition that would reignite the competitiveness of the club structure in New Zealand.

The NZRU are reluctant to forge ahead with the plans without South Africa’s inclusion.

A trans-Tasman tournament wouldn’t involve the Rainbow Nation and a break up of SANZAR is off the New Zealand Rugby Union’s record.

SANZAR is still very much committed to the transformation and expansion of the Super rugby competition.

What could happen...

The Group of Nine's template: One professional window from March to October: 14-team trans-Tasman trophy home and away (Nine from New Zealand, five from Australia): Heineken Cup style tournament (to run alongside trans-Tasman trophy): Matches every four weeks with 24 teams in four pools of six made up of teams from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Pacific Islands and America.