SYDNEY (Reuters) - Former Fiji sevens coach Ben Ryan has been urged to get in touch with SANZAAR over his plans for a Super Rugby franchise in the Pacific island nation as the governing body of the competition have yet to receive any sort of approach. Ryan, who led Fiji to their first Olympic gold medal in rugby sevens at the Rio Games last year, is in Australia this week for the Sydney Sevens and has been talking about plans for the franchise. In a tart statement on Friday, SANZAAR "noted with interest the 'campaign' led by Ryan" but said there had been no approach from Ryan or anyone else connected with the proposal. "It seems strange that there is a campaign being led by Ben Ryan, mainly in the press, that could impact directly on Super Rugby and yet SANZAAR is completely in the dark about the proposal," SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos said. SANZAAR have yet to unveil the results of their strategic plan for the future of Super Rugby which Marinos commissioned soon after his appointment in Nov. 2015.

Source: The Star February 03, 2017 06:00 UTC