New SANZAR chief executive Andy Marinos says he is 100 per cent certain new Japanese team the Sunwolves will be ready to go when they enter the Super Rugby competition next year.
There have been serious concerns the Sunwolves may not be able to take their place in an expanded, 18-team competition next year, as they are still yet to sign a head coach at a time when rival Super Rugby clubs have begun confirming their full playing rosters.
Marinos, who previously served as SANZAR boss from 2008 to 2010, said the Sunwolves have signed approximately 25 players, with more to follow when their coach is confirmed in the next week or two.
But he admitted he did hold “concerns” over how they and one of the other new entrants, South Africa’s Kings, will adapt to Super Rugby.
“With the Kings and Japan, it’s a hell of a lot of the unknown – how are they going to adapt to the travel, the schedule,” Marinos said.
“When I say they are concerns, we are very cautious and very aware of what’s lying ahead in this expansion.
“But in saying that, I’ve learned one thing in rugby – you can never start writing off teams until the competition actually gets underway.”
Marinos sounded far less worried about the other new entrant to Super Rugby, a yet-to-be-named Argentinian franchise, which is to reveal its name, logo and colours in the first week of December.
“I certainly don’t see many challenges coming out of Argentina,” he said.
“I think everyone’s holding their breath and saying ‘gee, if it’s the same group of guys who played in the World Cup coming into this, it’s going to be a very difficult and tough match that you’re going to be playing’.”
Marinos conceded 2016 will be something of a transition year for Super Rugby, given the new teams and the complicated conference structure that now covers five different countries.
But it could get even more complicated in future – one of Marinos’ first tasks, when he officially begins his job on January 1, is to develop a strategic direction for the competition and map out plans for the next wave of expansion.
Marinos said no part of the world was off limits, mentioning Asia, North America, the Pacific Islands and even parts of Europe as possible bases for Super Rugby teams down the track.
“If we understand since 1996, this has been an unincorporated joint venture between three countries… but we’ve evolved, developed, our markets have evolved and developed,” he said.
“What’s really necessary now is to have an overarching strategic plan so that any further growth or expansion or penetration into new markets (has) a very sound business case behind it.”
deanB
Guest
Or more appropriately RTK, Pauline Hanson any one? Is that an autographed poster on your bedroom ceiling young fella?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
To describe the new competition as a mess would be a charitable understatement. The South African sides have been steadily declining in quality as players go overseas so now adding another one will somehow help? The Japan and Argentina sides further foul up the already horrible travel schedule and uneven draw.
Nobrain
Guest
The big cat is called the Jaguar in english or jaguares in spanish.
NaBUru38
Guest
My father loves test rugby. But when i talk to him about Super Rugby, I tell him the cities names. There's no way he can remember 18 generic names like Blues, Reds or Kings. Greetings from Uruguay
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Someone suggested a PI team based in Hawaii, that sounds like an excellent idea. As long as they can strike a balance between PI players and Americans, so to keep the team strong and draw some US audiences, it should be a great combination. Argentina should have a second team in the competition, the current team is going to be almost the national side. Possibly too strong and no room to develop new players. I thought they already had a name, another South American big cat (I watched them play a friendly against the Waratahs B team earlier this year, but can't find the reference). Eighteen is a very bad number (due to team locations), competition will be strange during this period. Having four conferences with five teams each would create a much better balanced SR competition, and could even leave space for more local derbies. You could have the winner of each conference and the top four others in the finals; if one conference is much weaker, that winner wouldn't make it past the quarter finals anyway. Despite all the hand wringing, truth is that SR is the best club competition in the planet, nowhere else can you see this level of rugby being played (outside of national teams). Yes, it'll be a rocky start for the new teams, but they will evolve over time (as someone already mentioned, look at Argentina in the SR or Melbourne in SR). Missing rugby, yearning for the new year to start soon to get back to the stadiums
Gary
Guest
I didn't say they don't exist I just said they wouldn't be missed and that Lad is a fact.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
The Bulls are from Pretoria bud
Ken
Guest
Indeed , they are next in line for the chop imo
puff
Guest
The expanding of any major successful competition contains elements of the unforeseen including trials and tribulations, that are certain to surface. SANZAR’s to this juncture have been extremely prudent with their administration making the SH Super comp the envy of most national rugby unions and boosts an ever increasing viewing public. If you critique the most successful and profitable RWC just completed, SH teams attracted massive crowds and illustrated why they participated in the pointy end of the tournament. Regardless of how we entrepreneurs view changes we can’t ignore the fact, holding back the tide is not the healthy alternative. The ARU have not delivered any favours or vision within the last 10 years only nepotism, shoddy administration and lost ground. Yet, for the sentimentalist this last month has been exciting and delivered a new beginning in OZ. This is also true in Argentina and Japan where gathering momentum within the sport and particularly their viewing public continues to increase. Their fascination for this contact team game which plays a distant cousin to soccer has ingredients like strength, athletic ability, skill, pace and aggression. Their traditional game does not deliver such a package. The Kings are a known quantity but the opportunity to show the flag in J&A in spite of player mix is the prize. When the RWC first commenced in the 80’s, did we ever consider Japan as a venue? Perhaps in the future the USA, Argentina or Romania will provide such nobility. Rugby, with 7’s now an Olympics’ sport is becoming a major attraction, the RWC is the third biggest sports event on the map. Without support from established nations it will stagnate, The NRL & AR can only dream of such expansion.
Redderthankevin
Guest
Omg how was that even remotely prejudice. Sarah Hanson young anyone?
Markus
Guest
I understand what you mean, but the East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatu, Poverty Bay, Wairarapa-Bush, Wanganui and Wellington Hurricanes just doesn't roll off the tongue quite the same way.
Not Bothered
Guest
There are a lot of SA and NZers playing in Aus. The Tahs just signed up another 2.
Not Bothered
Guest
Domestic rugby comps really struggle to stay in the green in Aus so what we need to do is drop everything else and start one. It will work because some dude on the internet said it would. Crazy how they dont. Maybe you should just keep saying it over and over and over again. Tell everybody how Super Rugby is the devil. That will fix it.
Not Bothered
Guest
Oh give it a rest. Hog=wh1nge and moan. Yeah the ARU do everything wrong. Yeah rugby in Aus is at the bottom of the sporting landscape. Great, now can we move on from your constent comments about doom and gloom and how your ideas are the great saviour of a sport thats breathing its last breath...PLEASE.
Ian
Guest
I'm with you. Will persuade herself that she needs to shop in Singapore, Darwin is close
Bakkies
Guest
I believe those players are leaving from the EP Kings which is a separate entity to the Super Rugby Southern Kings.
Bakkies
Guest
They're the Southern Kings but also represent SWD Eagles, EP Kings and Border.
Nobrain
Guest
All hear are criticisms against the expansion, it was the same before and for the first three years the Pumas played the RCH, now I only I hear is how well The Pumas have evolved since they play the RCH. Futhermore, in Rugby 365 there is a poll where you can vote who will win the SR and to my surprise the nameless team for Argentina has the most votes. I think we should be more suportive to changes and wait to see the results before raising questions, lets see how SR works and then make the changes of those things that are not working.
DanFan
Guest
With the sentiment coming from the NH that teams there should be playing more against SH opposition this could happen sooner rather than later.
lao hu
Guest
Rugby: JRFU narrows field of potential national team head coaches to handful TOKYO, Nov. 25, Kyodo The Japan Rugby Football Union reported on Wednesday that it is ready to begin individual negotiations with its top candidates to replace Eddie Jones as head coach of the national team. "You can count them on one hand," executive director Noriyuki Sakamoto said on a day when the JRFU's board of directors met. Although it is said that the shortlist includes Japanese candidates, a group of foreign candidates has moved to the top of the list. The target date for a decision is the next board of directors meeting on Dec. 17. "Basically, we have to look four years down the road," Sakamoto said. "As the next host (of the Rugby World Cup) we have to be careful." At first the JRFU had included Panasonic Wild Knights and former Australia head coach Robbie Deans, and Katsuyuki Kiyomiya, the manager of Yamaha Jubilo among its list of 60 candidates. Deans told Kyodo News on Nov. 2, "It's a great opportunity for someone. It won't be me." ==Kyodo