SANZAR has called for expressions of interest from teams wanting to join its Super 14 competition from 2011, but told several countries including Fiji, Argentina, Japan, Canada and the United States not to apply.

Applications to join an expanded Super 15 competition were sent to the tournament's current participants Australia, New Zealand and South Africa which may be interested in fielding additional teams.

Australia has four Super 14 franchises while New Zealand and South Africa both have five.

At the same time, Sanzar sent letters to the national rugby unions of Fiji, Argentina, Canada, Japan, the United States and Tonga, telling them they were not currently seen as potential expansion locations.

But a letter inviting an application of interest has been sent to Samoan Rugby Union "so that it can consider whether it wishes to mount a bid," Sanzar said.

The organization gave no indication why it favored an application from Samoa over similar expressions from Fiji and Tonga.

Fiji reached the quarterfinals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup finished second in the recent IRB Pacific Nations Cup tournament ahead of Samoa and Tonga and is currently the highest ranked Pacific team at No 9 in the world.

Expression of interest must be registered by July 22.