Rugby Australia says a Pacific Island team based in Auckland would be 'madness'

A professional Pasifika team has become the instant new battleground between New Zealand and Australian rugby.

And Australia is continuing to fight back against powerful New Zealand as rugby's warring neighbours try to re-shape the game.

The relationship between New Zealand and Australian rugby reached another new low when former All Black coach Steve Hansen re-opened old wounds and issued a "we owe them nothing" statement last week.

Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan says Sydney should be the base for a new Pasifika team even though there is an assumption in New Zealand that it will be located in South Auckland.

There are strong Samoan, Tongan and Fijian communities in the Sydney western suburbs in particular.

NZ Herald reports McLennan is also calling on the formation of the team to be delayed for a year.

And one of Sydney's biggest newspapers has described New Zealand as displaying "sheer arrogance" in trying to dominate the competition to replace Super Rugby.

McLennan said: "We have a large and wonderful Pacific Islander population in Sydney and I think that would strengthen rugby long term.

He says basing them in Auckland would be detrimental to the Blues, it would be madness for the Blues.

McLennan however is hopeful of reaching an agreement to secure the future of all Australian franchises.

[Source: NZ Herald]