The Rugby Roundtable

Super Rugby Broadcaster News Corp is positive about expanding the Super 14. Last week John O’Neill floated the idea of a 26 week competition. O’Neill says there’s an appetite from News Corp to increase the format. SANZAR broadcasting consultant, Ian Frykberg, says despite the negative reaction from South Africa and New Zealand, the Air New Zealand and Currie Cups can’t generate the same income as Super rugby. Any changes could be a way off - television rights for the Super 14 won’t be re-negotiated until 2010.

Dunedin’s proposed waterfront white elephant has tripped on its own trunk. Accountant Price Waterhouse Coopers says the numbers don’t add up. The accountant says the projected income for the new stadium hasn’t factored in possible changes to the format of Super Rugby and the NPC. It says the union may be unable to fill the stadium because there is no certainty rugby will be relevant to society in15 years.

Gordon Tietjans has named 2 new caps for the Hong Kong sevens, Counties Manukau halfback Chad Tuoro and North Harbour winger Nafi Tuitavake. Hong Kong kicks off this Friday.

New Zealand’s rugby leaders gather this week for a forum aimed at tackling the major issues in the game. The two-day meeting brings together all 26 of the country’s provincial unions and the five professional franchises. Tasman chairman Max Spence says provincial unions will question the financial sustainability of the Air New Zealand Cup. The forum is Wednesday and Thursday at the Cake tin.

Finally, League Convert Timana Tahu has revealed he wanted to play for the All Blacks.After switching codes from Paramatta, Tahu says he rang the New Zealand Rugby Union about pulling on a black jersey. Rugby Union boss Steve Tew was tew busy tewing on a tuna roll tew return the call and now Tahu looks set to start for the Wallabies.

For the Rugby Roundtable, I’m Gilbert Dropkick.