The Otago Rugby Union have admitted that there are no guarantees the Highlanders will survive SANZAR’s Super 14 review.
Despite the uncertain future of rugby in Dunedin, the city council has committed to building a $200 million stadium for the team to play in.
Carisbrook used to be Dunedin’s ‘field of dreams’, but now the city is pinning its hopes on a new indoor stadium ‘ but will the town’s only professional team, the Highlanders, still be around to play in it?
“There is no guarantee,” says Otago Rugby CEO Richard Reid told NZ’s TV3.
“The franchises have a contract until 2010 but after that, all bets are off.”
The New Zealand Rugby Union confirmed this morning that a Super 14 review is underway, and that SANZAR are looking to expand into new markets.
The Dunedin City Council, despite committing $150 million of ratepayers money, are unaware the Super 14 is under review.
“I think it will make it more marginal.”