Players boss Nichol still open to T-20 competition

The controversial move to introduce T-20 style rugby may not be dead, says New Zealand Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol.

Sanzar sent out a strongly worded press release on Friday, saying they would not endorse an alternative rugby competition in a move no doubt intended to kill off the new competition.

Former Springboks player and Super 14 coach Rassie Erasmus is the driving force of a new form of rugby that includes 20-minute halves and a revised set of rules with 200 of the best players in the world playing in it.

But while Sanzar have washed their hands of the idea, Nichol says it could still be a goer.

"These concepts pop up from time to time across different sports and the starting point is that you never want to close your mind off to these kinds of things," Nichol told Sunday News.

"We've been across the media releases, we've been in touch with the people who are organising it and the respective national unions.

"From our perspective, it all seems to be work in progress in terms of the organisers and as they get things more organised and solid we can start forming opinions but we haven't at this stage."

If organisers press on, Nichol doesn't believe T-20 will spark a rebel competition in rugby.

"Ten to 15 years ago the possibility of a rebel competition could have been on the cards," he said.

"But there is so much openness and transparency now and we all have pretty solid partnerships with the administration. So I don't think you'll see a rebel league emerge out of this situation.

"Ultimately, if this evolves further and the issues that Sanzar have are able to be addressed, then step by step this may come together.

"But if the concept has flaws then it won't progress.

"From our interactions the organisers of this competition are genuine guys who are trying to come up with something innovative.

"I don't think they'll give up easy."

- © Fairfax NZ News