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The recent SANZAR announcement of the expansion plans for Super Rugby beyond 2016 have left many with the assumption that a new franchise based in Japan or Asia is a preferred option in one the new South African conference groups.
A team based in Japan is often assumed, and if not Japan, then Singapore or Hong Kong.
Travel time to Japan is lengthy and costly. Both Hong Kong and Singapore are travel hubs and would streamline and reduce travel time and costs slightly.
In the Asian rugby hierarchy, Japan rules. Hong Kong came second in the Asian five nations tournament. Singapore competed in Division 1. None of these teams would currently be competitive in the Super Rugby competition and so inclusion would require significant investment.
However, travel distance and costs or playing standards could be the least significant issues making such Asian expansion unlikely.
Trevor Gregory, the current Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) and recently elected president of the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) has recently dismissed suggestions that Asian rugby is anywhere close to ready for Super rugby.
He speaks with authority as far as Hong Kong is concerned when recently ruling out any likelihood of Hong Kong joining, but he also “questioned how any union or sponsor would be able to underwrite the $100m five-year cost of hosting an 18th franchise,” suggesting the costs involved would bankrupt any union in Asia.
Vern Reid, formerly with Western Force and now President of the HKRFU, says there was “probably less appetite for Hong Kong in the African conference then there would be if the offer was to be in the Australian and New Zealand conference”.
Hong Kong seems unwilling to take the punt on Super rugby anytime soon with Gregory stating he thinks there is no “appetite to risk the hard-earned money that has taken us 60 years to accumulate on a long shot, which is clearly what it is for us right now.”
Reid adds, “we would be better to invest that money in the development of our own players and our own game.”
Japan has built a very successful domestic league, the Top League, a competition backed by local corporations and featuring some of the best players in the world. Gregory remains skeptical that the JFRU would do anything to jeopardise the Top League which for them is “sacrosanct, they are not going to disrupt their league because that is the jewel in the crown of their domestic rugby.”
Based upon his experience and perspective of the commercial realities of the Asian rugby market, Gregory concludes, “The whole concept of getting a franchise up for the next five years, I don’t want to pour cold water on it, I really feel it’s a bridge too far. We have a very small budget for running the whole of Asian rugby which is less than $2m for 28 countries. Having to source the sponsorship for Asian rugby which I have had to do for the last six or seven years, I cannot see the money being available in Asia right now.”
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.