As seemingly one of the few supporters of Super Rugby’s expansion into Japan, a dastardly blow has been delivered to my hope of supporting a half decent Japanese team next year.
It has been announced that Eddie Jones, who was meant to take the role of director of rugby for Japan’s new franchise, will now reportedly become the highest paid coach in South Africa taking a contract worth five million rand a year (AUD $525,288) .
A few months back the Japanese Rugby Union [JRU] announced that they would take a fans’ vote in naming the new team, which they said would be announced at the end of July. It is now mid August and nothing has eventuated.
SANZAR were hoping to see a squad list announced with a majority of players signed by the beginning of June. So far the franchise has two confirmed signings. Added to that the Brave Blossom captain Michael Leitch will stay at the Chiefs next year and Hendrik Tui will be staying at the Reds for another year. That is two of their best players that they will now have to do without.
I was at the Brave Blossoms versus All Blacks game in 2013 and I have seen how the Japanese love rugby with a passion. If you watch any Top League games you will see exciting, fast expansive rugby. So I do hope that they can get their stuff together in the next five months.
If the JRU manage to broker a deal with the Cooperation-owned clubs there is a wealth of talent in the Top League to put together a decent team of Japanese and foreign players. Berrick Barnes for one comes to mind.
But the Japanese clubs are quite right to protect their players, whom they are paying a pretty penny to play in the Top League and not the Super Rugby competition. Not only that, but as soon as the Super Rugby comp kicks off in Japan the Top League becomes the dreaded ‘third tier’, instantly wiping off marketing value.
So there are some serious challenges ahead for Japan and Eddie Jones jumping ship certainly will not help things.
markie362
Guest
Ur a goose mate.and people like u r the reason aussie rugby is where it is.and im a kiwi
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
The JRU should name their team the Waratahs then they won't have to abide by any salary cap and can make up 2/3 - 3/4 of Wallaby squads regardless of how they fare during the domestic season. Maybe make Beale Captain while they're at it?
Bakkies
Guest
Do you reckon he quit those two jobs off his own bat? His position was untenable towards the end.
Bakkies
Guest
Can Argentina afford two teams? That's probably why they are starting out with one to test the waters.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
SANZAR have no one to blame but themselves. They should have realised something was amiss when the Tokyo Bledisloe wasn't the cash cow they expected it to be.
canadiankiwi
Guest
Why would the players in Japan (foreign or domestic), who are paid enormously well already, want to play a second season immediately afterwards?????
Katipo
Guest
I agree. It was a stupid idea in the first place. Give the Argies two franchises and be done with it. I think there is a chance we'll see the 2019 RWC unfold for Japan too. IRB have cut hosts before: NZRU in 2003. I wouldn't be surprised if 2019 RWC ends up in South Africa.
Harry Jones
Expert
Add another African team. Amalgamate Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Madagascar.
hopalong
Guest
Pretty much a sweeping statement. And in my opinion Jake White clung to Eddies coat tails. And we should all recognise that it is a professional game,and that money talks.He would not have been offered this great package ( Cape Town +5 million ) if he was not rated as being amongst the better coaches.
Nobrain
Guest
I can go deeper in the subject, I think Argentina should have two teams and bring a few players from other countries to make them more competitive . Why not bring a couple from PI, NZ, SA( quota issues) , Japan, Aus , and from other countries from America ( get more people in the continent interesting in SR for future expansions) have each of the two teams with 5 international players and the rest from Argentina.
Owen
Guest
Wow. That's an impressive worldwide squad.
Who?
Guest
Reds fans might argue that Eddie leaving's not a bad thing... And, regardless of who the coach is, they'll still go into any match against the Reds as favourites!
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
sorry didn't know where to put that. Tonga have named their Rwc squad. forwards (17): Tevita Mailau (Perpignan/FRA/D2), Alisona Taumalolo (Grenoble/FRA), Soane Tonga'uiha (Oyonnax/FRA), Halani Aulika (London Irish/ENG), Sila Puafisi (Gloucester/ENG), Elvis Taione (Exeter/ENG), Paula Ngauamo (Mont-de-Marsan/FRA/D2), Aleki Lutui (Ampthill/ENG/D3), Tukulua Lokotui (Béziers/FRA/D2), Joseph Tu'ineau (Lyon/FRA/D2), Steve Mafi (Western Force/AUS), Opeti Fonua (Leicester/ENG), Hale T. Pole (Otago/NZL), Nili Latu (Newcastle/ENG), Jack Ram (Northland/NZL), Viliami Ma'afu (Oyonnax/FRA), Sione Kalamafoni (Gloucester/ENG). backs (13): Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle/ENG), Samisoni Fisilau (Jersey/ENG/D2), Sosefo Ma'ake (Havelu Bulldogs), Kurt Morath (Biarritz/FRA/D2), Latiume Fosita (Doncaster/ENG/D2), Sione Piukala (Perpignan/FRA/D2), Siale Piutau (Yamaha Jubilo/JPN), Viliami Tahitu'a (Northland/NZL), Fetu'u Vainikolo (Oyonnax/FRA), Telusa Veainu (Melbourne Rebels/AUS), Tevita Halaifonua (Gloucester/ENG), William Helu (Edimbourg/SCO), Vungakoto Lilo (Montauban/FRA/D2).
Bob Funston
Roar Rookie
I would have to agree with this, there is always a solution and the Japanese love getting things done.
Sofa Coach
Roar Rookie
A very good article and lots of good comments. Sadly, logic and good sense may have little to do with it if the broadcast rights have already been sold. SANZAR could be highly exposed to big penalties, or at the least loss of earnings. I have no idea what this broadcast deal is worth, or its terms, but presumably this is how the whole misadventure is being funded in the first place. Really, for the good of rugby, a Pacific Islands side should be included. It could rotate home games around the Pacific nations, or at least Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. I'd bet popular support would be strong, but the facilities and administration are non-existent and from where would an islander side get its funding? What should happen and what can happen with this expansion are entirely separate matters. Actually, the best format from an ANZ fan and club perspective, in terms of costs, logistics, player welfare, and fan interest, would be an 18 game home and away series plus finals played between just the current 10 ANZ sides. But sadly most of the revenue has traditionally come from SA tv money. Ultimately I do see super rugby going this way. It will become a three, perhaps splitting further into four, conference competition based on time zones: American, Pacific and Afro-Euro (3 combined and 4 separated), which is all about broadcast revenues (how valuable are live away games broadcast at 2am?).
Bob Funston
Roar Rookie
Exactly and what happens if the Pumas in a different shirt don't win super rugby, not much hope for the Rugby Championship team either. 2 teams would logical but we are talking about SANZAR here.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think you and Nobrain are on to something. Let the South African's have their extra team and put two teams in Argentina. My concern with a single team in Argentina is if it gets all of Argentina's best players playing for it - then how is the team different from Los Pumas? If the players are split across two teams then we aren't just seeing the national team run around in a different shirt.
Edward Pye
Roar Guru
SUGOE!!
Owen
Guest
There is something all the so-called Japan experts are missing. Japan has a long and distinguished (and notorious) history of not being quitters. There is zero possibility they will 'quit' as many in this forum so eloquently put it. Their franchise may have some last minute negotiations and growing pains but that is how the Land of the Rising Sun rolls my chikas. They are looking for broad consensus, not getting it and figuring out how things will play out in Plan B mode. There is no option to quit. Japan doea not know the meaning of the word.
nickoldschool
Guest
I feel for Japanese rugby but they should have known better. Personally I think that the cultural and rugby gap between Japan and the big southern 3 is just too big. Sanzar, Southern Hemisphere coaches and players are Into short term stuff, loyalty towards clubs is for most something of the past, they go where money is the highest full stop even if it means going against their own words, we have seen that in the last few weeks with players. And in a country like Japan where working for 1 company all your life and supporting the team sponsored by your employer still means something (although things are slowly changing too) it's even harder to understand people Leaving half way through a contract. Have spent a fair bit of time there and I never understood why they were paying those SH guys so much for 12-15 games (or less) that most of them will play at 60/70% anyway. If they want foreigners I think they should hire up and coming players and offer them local contracts (I mean similar to what they pay their locals). They have to understand that sanzar and their people don't want Japan to be competitive in rugby, they just want their money. And it's true for players and coaches too. Hope they will pull out and leave sanzar on their own.