Rugby: Super 14 format issues holds up season plans

A meeting of Sanzar in Sydney this week failed to hammer out details for this year's Super 14 rugby competition format, leaving teams unable to confirm travel and playing schedules.

South Africa is calling for the top six playoffs to be based on a geographical conference system instead of the top six teams who qualify, The Press reported.

It also wants to use global experimental law variations to get used to the new rules ahead of matches against the British and Irish Lions.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said he knew delays caused problems for teams and a decision should be reached soon.

"We are not too far off the mark in getting this resolved. South Africa just want another chance to go back and talk about it with their crew (stakeholders)."

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said it was frustrating but not the end of the world, "(because) we don't have any issues with ground availability or anything like that".