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.”
Ant man
Guest
Bring on the japanese.i am a boilermaker who works hard 6 to 7 days a week I would love the chance to sit on a plain and get paid for it time to hardin up and get on with it
Higgik
Guest
Makes good sense to rename Atlantic conference, the Currie Cup Conference. Also slight change to play offs would see top 2 from each division playing in semi finals and finals before super final. My regular season would be 16 matches, Currie conference to play home & away in division (6 matches), home or away in conference (4 matches), then 3 v AUS teams and 3 v NZ teams.
Ozee316
Guest
Yip it would definitely suck. I'm sure the NFL, Cricket, baseball, basketball, NHL, Sevens rugby, triathletes...and most other professional world class athletes never have to bother wirh flying all the time either. I guess they walk or drive to most of their games or their competitions right?
Ozee316
Guest
There are 125,000 Japanese rugby players, 3631 official rugby clubs. There are 297,389 Australian rugby players registered to 800 rugby clubs. Most of whom are not professional either. There are 146,893 registered rugby players in NZ. Again the majority of whom are not professional. England and France have 1.9mill and 360,000 registered amateur players respectively so its no wonder their leagues are high value. At USD4 trillion Japan's GDP is more than Double all of SANZAR combined including Argentina. Japan's per capita GDP at USD37,000 is second behind Australia at USD44,000. Sorry but given the fact there is already a number of smaller amateur competitions there plus the TOP League. And given the large fan base and GDP you are wrong that there is no business case for Japan to host and fund a Super Rugby side.
Warren Adamson
Roar Pro
I used to support the current expansion in it's format but I can see it failing in spectacular fashion. I'm all for expansion and making the game bigger but what SANZAR are asking from potential unions is a mistake. Articles and pieces like this one highlight the fact that Super Rugby isn't everyone's league and isn't as big as SNAZAR think it is. There might have to a 7th South African team - the unions that are left out combined together, a Vodacom Cup/Currie Cup representative team??? I hope that the competition remains but the format that they are proposing has way too many holes in it to be viable.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
It doesn't matter how many registered players there are, because it's an amateur sport with very few full-time professional players. The Top League itself is only semi-pro. University rugby used to be popular back when football had no presence, but it's declined over the years. Not only that, but the popularity of university rugby has never crossed over into company rugby or the national team. The students who attend those games attend them out of patriotism for their schools not because of the sport. The majority of them don't know the laws. And an afternoon game shown on NHK is about as meaningful as dog trials on TV1 in NZ. The idea that rugby is a breakout sport is fantasy. Whatever potential there is in the country doesn't matter to the union or the companies as they operate year in, year out without making money from the game. A few thousand people going to a game per week (the majority of which don't even pay) and TV broadcasting rights than might as well be given away is hardly what cash strapped SANZAR is looking for.
Thunderguts
Guest
understand that your only overseas trip was from Melbourne to Hobart
Ozee316
Guest
There are 125,000 Japanese rugby players, 3631 official rugby clubs. The university championship is popular and the finals are shown on NHK. OBVIOUSLY in a country with a GDP ten times that of NZ and South Africa combined there is some potential there. Rugby is actually a breakout sport with the national team doing better and better increasing interest.
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Appreciate the comments people. Ozee 316, yes a few of us actually live and play or coach rugby in Asia and the the comments in the article emanate from senior rugby officials in Asia. JRFU might actually put something together. I'm sure SANZAR, having gone out on a limb, would like to hear from them. Chris, I tend to agree with your "keep it simple" approach. Having watched the European rugby finals this weekend (Top 14 and Aviva), which were entertaining sporting events, very professionally put together, I am concerned about the leadership and management smarts at SANZAR. Hope I am wrong. Even the media (TV) coverage up north is way ahead of what is being served up in Super rugby.
RobC
Roar Guru
Back to your point, Chan Wee. I believe the correct path is to be an elite tournament. SR will be that, as soon as SANZAR stop rapid changes, and create a more predictable market. SR already has all best players world rugby. They just need to be organised into a more sustainable comp. Increased TV revenues will come only after the comp stabilises, and franchises can focus on grassroots. As you mentioned, SANZAR believes more teams will bring in $, instead of focusing on the quality of member teams first. Sounds almost like ARU.
paul craggie
Guest
Oh the tyranny of distance. It would appear that passion and interest doesn't travel that well after all. Thank goodness for club rugby. At least there I know I won't get bashed over the head with commercialism.
chis
Guest
Must be hard being a S15 player who hates flying as this newish comp is looking more stale and a non event as the years pass. Lets keep this simple SANZAR and just have - 8 team Currie Cup from South Africa. 10-12 team NPC (what ever it's called) with 4 Australian S15 sides. Top League from Japan. An new pro league for Argentina. Let them all compete for there national title and then have a play off between the champions of each league. It's not rocket science.
Chan Wee
Guest
I'm not talking of the quality of play. Just that the names on team sheets that attracts the TV viewers. the SANZAR crowd is not enuf to sustain revenues from TV. Unless some names from Europe start playing in super, it will lose money. that is the reason the powers that be want to expand , to capture more eyballs away from the present market. but doubt it will get any attention they are projecting. Europe is restructureing for a more leaner tournament. also European footy is the moneymaker ; rugger is a sideshow.
Pillock
Guest
Doesn't look like there are too many people with $100million to fund expansion. Considering the ARU are looking a black hold financially and the NZU are better, but not to the tune if $100m it appears to be a pipe dream. Super Rugby has been going nowhere for a few years, better to get what they have right rather than these hare brained schemes.
Chan Wee
Guest
LOL Too true. more peeps in NZ know who Male Sau is than Japanese ;) and the fact that Tanka Horie and Sau are away while Japan were battling for Asia cup also worths a mention.
Chan Wee
Guest
LOL Too true. more peeps in NZ know who Male Sau is than Japanese ;) and the fact that Tanka Horie and Sau are away while Japan were battling for Asia cup also worths a mention.
paul craggie
Guest
As we have just established Super Rugby isn't working. Bring back a domestic focus with a minor manageable international knockout comp or the like that better manages player welfare and revenue and stop throwing good money after bad trying to compete with Europe.
RobC
Roar Guru
Was a good game, Chan Wee. Most of the SR last week and at least half the games this week round 16 would rival the that match though. The main difference between the EU comp and the SR comp, is SR keeps changing the teams w/out a predictable relegation system. Without this, owners and administrators have diffculties in sizing and organising their markets - in terms of market demand, and supply of talent. Toulon's formula, amongst others, is based on grassroots. Its not about imported stars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCqpLCKjHMA - Boudjella brought in stars because they were facing oblivion, and he believed he could get grassroots back into the fold. - eg The Carlton AFL club makes more $ than Toulon and doesnt import players. What they do have around 50,000 in stadium, week-in week-out
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Why do I think there's no money in rugby in Japan? Maybe because I live here? Pay TV penetration in Japan is minuscule. The fact that Super Rugby games air on pay TV channels is meaningless. Nobody in Japan know who Tanaka or Horie are.
paul craggie
Guest
Totally agree with football united and Johnno. They are putting Rugby back 20 years in the southern hemisphere.