Rugby: Five bidders for Super franchises

Five expressions of interest have been received for licences to manage and operate a New Zealand-based Super Rugby team, the New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed today . Expressions of interest were invited for four of the five Super Rugby franchises - Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Crusaders - and at least one proposal had been received for each franchise. "We are heartened by the interest shown, which underlines the attractiveness of the franchises as a commercial proposition," NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said. "Given this was a step into the unknown we have every reason to be encouraged." Tew said, due to the commercial nature of the process, the NZRU were unable to release details on each proposal, but he said each would be assessed over the next month. Once a shortlist of potential licence holders is drawn up, they will be asked to make a formal offer. "This process aims to provide opportunities for license holders to inject fresh ideas and capital, and that can only be good if we're to ensure the Super Rugby franchise model is viable for the long term." Tew said the NZRU was aiming to have any new licence holder in place for the 2013 season, but said the timing would be determined by the transition to the successful bidder, something which should become clearer by the middle of this year.