US boss refloats EP partnership

PRO Rugby North America boss Douglas Schoninger has strongly denied that his mooted partnership deal to revive the bankrupt EP Rugby Union has hit the rocks.

Schoninger, the owner and chief executive of Stadium Capital Financing Group, says he is now waiting for the South African Rugby Union (Saru) to get back to him, and has denied that he does not have the backing of the US governing body USA Rugby.

It had been thought that the American deal was dead in the water after Saru released a statement saying “reports of an imminent investment in the Kings are grossly exaggerated and entirely misleading”.

But Schoninger has hit back by telling the rugby365 website that he was still hopeful that he could be involved with the EPRU.

“There are issues that SA Rugby and EP Rugby need to sort out prior to having discussions with a third party. We look forward to hearing back from Saru,” he said.

He admitted that much must happen before talks can get back on track, but he is willing to wait for Saru and the Kings to get their house in order before he resumes discussions with either.

“USA Rugby has told us and Saru, that since it does not know the details of the partnership they cannot issue support.

“I agree and second that, as we do not know the details ourselves.

“USA Rugby will support a plan, if presented, as it will be constructive to the growth of the game in the USA.”

The architect and champion of the EP Rugby and Mandela Bay rugby blueprint for the deal with Pro Rugby, Tony McKeever said he welcomed the new developments.

“At the two informal meetings in London between Saru president Mark Alexander and Doug Schoninger of PRO Rugby, a range of interactions were discussed apart from PRO Rugby’s investment and shareholding in EP Rugby,” he said.

“Mark Alexander also suggested that Saru coaches and referees could be deployed to the USA to mentor PRO Rugby coaches and referees in the PRO Rugby Tournament.

“This collaboration and exciting initiative suggested by Mark Alexander augurs well for fostering bilateral rugby and commercial initiatives between the USA, SA and particularly Mandela Bay.

“Part of our Mandela Bay Youth Development Plan for EP Rugby’s clubs, Varsity Cup and Currie Cup teams, is to choose a squad of 100 club players, school leavers and varsity players, to spend four months in the USA between March and June to play in the PRO Rugby Tournament and then return to play in the EP Rugby tournaments,” said McKeever.

After several requests for a statement on the mooted partnership, Saru spokesman Andy Colquhoun broke his union’s silence on the potential deal for the first time last week.

News of the “American Alliance” first broke on November 4 when it emerged that Schoninger had written a letter to Saru chief executive Jurie Roux expressing his interest in the EPRU.

That was followed by an informal meeting between Alexander and Schoninger in London.

In a statement, Saru said: “Reports of an imminent investment in the Kings are grossly exaggerated and entirely misleading.

“The EPRU is currently in liquidation and only the liquidator can speak on its behalf – no other party has those rights.

“While in relation to the Southern Kings and an American investment, the USA Rugby union gave a clear indication that they do not support this process. SA Rugby has referred all such approaches back to USA Rugby and the liquidator.”