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Lions: No merit to S15 decision

Cape Town - Lions president Kevin de Klerk feels the Southern Kings' promotion to Super Rugby is not a decision based on "rugby merits".

SARU on Thursday announced that the Kings would play in the 2013 Super Rugby competition, with the Lions dropping out for at least one year. The bottom team in 2013's competition will then play in a two-legged promotion and relegation series against the Lions.

De Klerk feels it's unfair that a team can be promoted to a competition without having to play itself in on merit.

“We are extremely disappointed at this result," he said in a statement on the Lions' website.

"This is a very unfortunate decision which will result in a team taking part in a competition without needing to qualify on rugby merits. We will take time to consider this decision and then to plan our response that best protects our players, staff, stakeholders and supporters."

However, despite their free ticket into the Southern Hemisphere's premier domestic competition, the Kings aren't fully satisfied. Their president, Cheeky Watson, is unhappy that SARU only guaranteed his team one season of Super Rugby.

“I think it is a ludicrous decision," he told SAPA.

"It doesn't make sense in rugby, not in business, not in the church.

"It doesn't make sense in any sector of society that you are sitting with a scenario that you are in Super Rugby for one year and expected to achieve."

Watson later confirmed that they will appeal SARU's decision.
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