HOW IT WORKS:
10-a-side tournament staged at Suncorp Stadium for next four years
Held on February 11-12, two weeks before Super Rugby starts 14 teams
- five Kiwi, five Australian Super Rugby teams plus Bulls, Samoa, Panasonic and Toulon
500 players - squads of up to 40 players
NZ$1.65 million in appearance fees and prize money
It is understood the five New Zealand and five Australian Super Rugby teams have signed contracts, as have Samoa, who have their Prime Minister's backing, and Robbie Deans-coached Panasonic Wild Knights who have won the past three Japanese Top League titles.
South Africa's Bulls, three-time Super Rugby champions, and French powerhouse Toulon, who boast Ma'a Nonu, Bryan Habana, Matt Giteau, James O'Connor, Duane Vermeulen and Leigh Halfpenny among others, are likely be the last two teams. -
