Australia May Sell Japan A Super Rugby Berth

[Mulboyne]

Australian: ARU ponders Super Japanese option
AUSTRALIA will be granted a fifth licence when the Super rugby competition is expanded. But that does not necessarily mean there will be another Australian team. The ARU is considering a range of options in relation to Super rugby expansion. And it is understood that one of those options is to sell Australia's fifth licence to Japan. This would make good sense in a number of ways. The ARU would secure a multi-million dollar fee for a Super rugby licence, which would help to provide Australian rugby with financial stability in uncertain economic times. The move would open the door to Japan to enter Super rugby, which is a development that has to happen if the game is to grow in the booming Asian region. The presence of Japan in Super rugby would expose the competition to a lucrative new market and increase the value of the broadcasting agreement, which will be re-negotiated in 2010...more...

[Charles]

It appears there is more money to be made in licensing than in actually playing rugby. They ought to just give up on rugby and go with their strength: market speculation.

[Charles]

It appears there is more money to be made in licensing than in actually playing rugby. They ought to just give up on rugby and go with their strength: market speculation.

I am continually amused by the anonymous feedback on my comments. I've had equal up and down feedback on my mere two sentences of comment in this thread. One negative comment accused me of continuing my verbal assault on ozzies. However, I made no mention of ozzies in my comment, my remarks were aimed at sports franchise owners who can't stay afloat.
However, it seems my ozzie campaign has been successful. Somewhere on FG, there is one humorless ozzie who is very touchy about criticism of his compatriots, and sees condemnation even if it may not exist. I'll call it "cultural sensitivity training" and declare it a success.

[Mulboyne]

Back to rugby.

Japan scored one of the best tries in last year's World Cup:

[YT]p2pOcxwWSXE[/YT]

[Sentakki Fried Chicken]

Back to rugby.

Japan scored one of the best tries in last year's World Cup:

[YT]p2pOcxwWSXE[/YT]

Absolutely awesome!!!!

[Mulboyne]

Fox: Rising sun dawns on rugby's future with new Super 15 competition

A bold Super 15 blueprint, loaded with local derbys in a three-conference format, will be unveiled next week as rugby's biggest makeover since the code went professional. The intrigue will centre on just where the 15th team is based to complete the vision to expand rugby to a 22-week season running March-to-August in 2011. A Japan-based outfit, built around imported stars, may be the magnet for broadcasters because it opens a new market, whereas a Melbourne-based side is merely preaching to the same TV audience. Australian rugby supremo John O'Neill, his board and their New Zealand and South African counterparts have kept details secret during meetings over the past week. The centrepiece of the package that will be presented to broadcasters in June will be discussed in Dubai on Wednesday at a SANZAR meeting of the nations' three rugby chiefs...more...