Japanese Super 18 rugby side to be called the Sunwolves

TOKYO — Super Rugby organiser SANZAR says the Japan-based team to compete in an expanded competition from next season will be known as the Sunwolves.

The name of the Japanese club, which joins a team from Argentina and a sixth South African-based side in a Super Rugby competition enlarged from 15 to 18 teams, is designed to represent “bravery, strength and the ethos of teamwork”, SANZAR said yesterday.

Doubts have been expressed about the viability of a Japan-based team, who have yet to announce any high-profile signings. But the team’s inclusion in the 2016 draw, released last week, and the revelation of their name, will go some way to quieting misgivings.

“It gives us great pleasure to welcome the Sunwolves to Super Rugby as they prepare to join our expanded competition alongside the Kings from South Africa and an Argentinean team that will be revealed shortly,” SANZAR chief executive Brendan Morris said in a statement.

The Sunwolves will play their inaugural match against South Africa’s Lions in Tokyo on Feb 27 and will compete in a conference with South African sides the Bulls, Cheetahs and Stormers. They will also play their first four competition matches next season at home, dividing those games between Tokyo and Singapore. The playing of matches here was part of an agreement made by the Japan Rugby Football Union when it clinched a spot in the Super 18s.

Singapore fans will get to see a number of Japanese players who are representing their country in the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in action at the National Stadium next year, as it is believed many of the Brave Blossoms will be recruited for the Sunwolves. These could include star fullback Ayumu Goromaru, fly-half Harumuichi Tatekawa and flanker Lelei Mafi. The Sunwolves matches in Singapore will be against the Cheetahs (March 12), the Bulls (March 26) and the Stormers (May 14).

Japan rugby is on a high after the national team’s historic and dramatic last-gasp 34-32 win over South Africa at the start of the ongoing Rugby World Cup, as well as last Saturday’s 26-5 victory over Samoa.

But Japan head coach Eddie Jones is among those who express reservations about whether joining Super Rugby is the best way forward for Japan rugby.

Singapore rugby fans will also get to see 55-year-old Jones in the flesh because the Australian, who has a Japanese mother, and is also married to a Japanese woman, will take charge of South African side the Stormers after the RWC. AP