An independent arbitrator will decide which new team will join the expanded Super 15 in 2011 after the South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby Executive Committee failed to reach an agreement.

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The SANZAR committee decided to go to arbitration after they were unable to reach an unanimous verdict over which new team would join the competition.

They were faced with a choice between South Africa's Southern Kings and an Australian franchise based in Melbourne but the matter did not go to vote after the opposing countries said they were supporting their own bids.

"Following discussion it was clear that the Executive Committee would not reach the required unanimity with the ARU expressing its support for Melbourne and SA Rugby expressing its support for the Southern Kings," a SANZAR statement said.

"As a result no vote was taken...and it was agreed that the matter should proceed to arbitration in accordance with the SANZAR Joint Venture Agreement.

"SANZAR will move quickly to set up an independent arbitration process which will result in a binding decision."

The existing Super 14 competition will be reorganised in 2011 along a conference system based in each of the three SANZAR partners.

With South Africa and New Zealand already having five teams each in the current competition, the new team will play in the Australian conference but does not have to be based there.

All three SANZAR countries initially expressed interest in submitting bids but only Melbourne and the Kings formally applied.