LIAM NAPIER
Singapore and Japan have submitted official bids to host Super Rugby's 18th team and the potential Asian expansion could provide a home for Pacific Island players.
Gaining a foothold in Asia makes sense on several levels for governing body Sanzar. It allows significantly increased market exposure for sponsors through widening the broadcast, while also being seen to back-up recent strategic investment in the region and growing the game globally.
Sanzar chief executive Greg Peters told Fairfax Media 'half a dozen' expressions of interest had been received and a shortlist would be released this week.
New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Brent Impey, who is set to play an active role with Sanzar, confirmed a Singapore or Japanese-based team was the early favourite to join a sixth South African outfit, the Port Elizabeth-based Southern Kings, and a new Argentinian side from 2016. A new team is expected to need up to $100 million over a five-year period.
'There are a couple of options which have already come out of Asia. That gives us confidence that we'll be able to see the 18th team not only meet the financial and commercial qualifications but the playing strength as well,' Impey told the Star-Times.
'I can't be too specific because the applications are confidential at this time but there have been indications which are positive coming out of both Japan and Singapore.'
Part of the attraction for establishing an Asian-based team is decreasing the steady flow of Pacific Island players to European clubs and, therefore, making them more readily available for their respective national unions.
Historically, European clubs have offered Island players bribes not to represent their homelands.
Under this scenario, though, Island players could help bridge the gap for local Asian players who may initially struggle with Super Rugby's intense physical demands.
'It's an opportunity to find a positive outlet for them,' Impey said. 'I suspect that's where the strength of that team will come from. If, for example, there was a team out of Singapore that was populated with a number of Pacific Island players to give it strength, that's the start of a model which could work.'
Former Tongan and Hurricanes lock Inoke Afeaki, now technical director at the Singapore Rugby Union, could also help with this transition.
Singapore's bid has been boosted by the construction of a 55,000-seat National Stadium. The city, one of the world's leading commercial hubs, also shares the same time zone as Perth.
'Depending on where the team is based it's going to need to call on players,' Peters said. 'If it was Japan, they have a professional competition and a number of players from all three countries playing up there. Pacific Island players could well be part of that equation.'
Expansion into Asia, and a move to the four conference style format which is modelled on some American sports, is the start of a long-term vision to further increase the number of teams in the coming years. It is understood a review is scheduled for 2018 to discuss further expansion.
'Longer term it's conceivable there could be teams out of the west coast of the [United] States and hopefully additional teams out of South America,' Impey said.
'There' has been loose talk around expansion into Africa beyond South Africa. These things take a lot of time.
'They have got to be able to be competitive on the field.
'Adding teams that are going to get smashed is absolutely pointless. I'd be surprised to see fast and massive expansion.
'It's more complex than appears on the surface. They've got to have the right structures behind them. You can't just expand willy-nilly.'
Indeed, as South Africa's premier players continue to flood overseas at an alarming rate and with Argentina's top-tier talent predominantly based in Europe, maintaining the competition's integrity will be a serious challenge.
'The Lions have had some success and the Kings weren't a disaster. It does spread their resources further. That gives them [South Africa] a challenge,' Impey conceded, though holding a more positive outlook on Argentina.
'With a high number of players expected to return you can be relatively confident that despite the heavy travel commitment they'll have they will be competitive.'
A final decision on the 18th team is expected within three months.
- Sunday Star Times
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