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The Australian Rugby Union have officially lodged an application from Melbourne to become the 15th Super Rugby team when the SANZAR competition expands in 2011.

Melbourne will contest with a proposed sixth South African side - the Southern Kings from the Eastern Cape - in a bid to join the competition, with the successful applicant announced on October 21.

Even if the Kings are successful, they will play in a five-team conference based in Australia, with the other 10 teams contained in conferences based in New Zealand and South Africa.

Within the conference, teams will play home-and-away matches against each team in it, as well as a round against the bulk of teams from the other two conferences.

"The application to have Melbourne admitted as the 15th Super Rugby team in 2011 is now in the hands of SANZAR, and it is a compelling case," said ARU chief executive John O'Neill (pictured).

"I also want to be clear that there has been a lot of unsubstantiated and ill-informed comment of late about the Melbourne application.

"The ARU do not want to own the Melbourne team and there is absolutely no basis to speculation that a CEO and coach will be supplied or imposed by the ARU.

"What people need to realise is that we want the team in Melbourne, we want it to be a stunning success, and we want all rugby lovers to work towards the big picture ideal.

"That big picture is a Super Rugby team playing out of the second largest city in this country - and as the only 'club' team of the winter football codes to be representing Melbourne on a genuine international stage."

PA Sport