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Japan's Daisuke Ohata. AP Photo/HO, Japan Rugby Football Union
Could Super Rugby one day sit alongside the NFL as a colossus of world sport? Will there be a day when talking about the world’s great football competitions (either code), Super Rugby would be seen as the equal of the NFL, if not the EPL?
From what I can gather the answer may well be “yes.”
Later this month the location of the fifteenth Super licence will be decided by the SANZAR coalition. Furthermore, there are already murmurs of a further expansion to a possible Super 18 in 2013.
Could these expansionist moves be the vanguard to a much grander growth in the not too distant future?
SANZAR have already shown their hand in this matter by informing nations like Japan, USA, Canada and Argentina that although they wouldn’t be considered in this round they were on the Super radar. This suggests that the SANZAR partners see a future for the competition in each of those markets.
This is backed up by the move toward conferences allowing the competition to remain a set size without the constant need to add on additional fixtures.
When examining from a distance it does make a lot of sense, and the ground work is already in place to achieve this.
Asia is rugby’s fastest growing region.
This trend is set to continue with the IOC’s decision last week. There is potential for a further participation explosion leading to a self sufficient ‘Asian Conference’.
There are several prime candidates that could host one or more teams.
Japan (3) is the obvious choice, followed by both Hong Kong and Singapore (1 each). The next location would be China (up to 3).
Furthermore, due to the large ex-patriot populations the UAE (likely Dubai) would be the next logical destination. That makes a 9 team conference.
However, there are a couple of roughies in amongst that group. One such would be Thailand. With more than 34,000 registered players in or around the Bangkok area a viable team could be based there.
In the Americas, the three logistical nations to base teams are Canada (4), USA (4) and Argentina (4). With Uruguay as a distinct possibility. Each nation will have the sufficient player numbers to maintain a competitive level of Rugby.
The IRB have begun to invest greater quantities of money and resources to develop both regions, with flagship tournaments such as the Asian 5 Nations, Churchill Cup and now the Americas Rugby Championship building the overall standard of play in both regions.
This is strictly speculative. But it certainly not outside the realms of possibility. Alongside expanding into the three existing market both regions offer huge market growth for the Super Rugby brand.
Frankly, it’s the next logical step with SANZAR formally inviting Argentina to the table in 2012.
The question is, exactly how big Super Rugby could get? I guess we will have to wait a see
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.