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'Super 14 starts too early'

Bribane - Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill wants the Super 14 tournament to start nearly a month later due to hot summer weather conditions Down Under.

"Personally, I think we start Super rugby too early and that's one of the things on the agenda for the SANZAR board meeting," O'Neill said on Monday.

On Sunday, Springboks flanker Juan Smith collapsed due to heat stress and concussion while playing for the Cheetahs in a 22-3 loss to the Reds at Brisbane. Smith was recovering on Monday after requiring a saline drip to restore his fluids overnight.

O'Neill said he would discuss the Super 14 season schedule - which this year began on Feb. 13 - at a SANZAR board meeting in Dubai later this week.

"Late February, early March in Brisbane is a very humid, hot place and an afternoon game to boot," O'Neill added.

"When it starts to get a bit cooler and off the beach then you are into rugby mode and I think that explains why the crowds are down a touch."

The Brisbane match was moved to a 16:00 on Sunday kickoff due to Football Federation Australia booking Suncorp Stadium several months ago with the prospect of the Queensland Roar hosting the A-League football grand final on Friday or Saturday night.

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