Super Rugby to land in S’pore in 2016

SINGAPORE — Fans in Singapore will get to see Super Rugby action here in 2016 after South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby (SANZAR), the body that runs the annual competition, officially confirmed new franchises in Japan and Argentina, with Japan to play three home games per season at the Singapore Sports Hub’s 55,000-capacity National Stadium.

Widely considered the leading annual regional rugby tournament, Super Rugby is the latest world-class event announced for Singapore as the Republic continues to add to its line-up of premier sporting events to be hosted here.

Since its opening in June, the S$1.33 billion Sports Hub has hosted a slew of top class events, including the Women’s Tennis Association Finals and an international football friendly between Brazil and Japan.

SANZAR announced the new franchises from the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) and Union Argentina de Rugby following an executive committee meeting in London yesterday. Along with a new franchise in South Africa, the 2016 Super Rugby competition will be expanded to 18 teams from the present 15.

It will also be the first time teams from outside New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are included.

Singapore had been in the running to have a franchise based here, with the Asia Pacific Dragons — a team made up of players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga — putting up a strong but ultimately unsuccessful bid.

Fears over the Dragons’ financial viability, along with Japan’s strong rugby traditions and infrastructure, reportedly swung the bid in favour of the latter in September.

While South African teams had baulked at the prospect of having to travel nearly 24 hours to play their matches in Tokyo — compared with 11 hours to reach Singapore — Japan reportedly saved its Super Rugby bid by agreeing to play some home games in the Republic.

When contacted yesterday, Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) president Low Teo Ping called it “history in the making” for the sport in Singapore.

“SANZAR and IRB (International Rugby Board) representatives have visited Singapore, and they are impressed by our facilities at the Sports Hub, our reputation of holding international sporting events and also, importantly, our friendly geographical location,” said Mr Low. “In order for Japan to be selected as the 18th team, Japan must play three of its matches here. That is the requirement by SANZAR.”

Low also revealed that a five-year partnership accord had been signed here two weeks ago between JRFU and SRU, with JRFU agreeing to provide technical support in terms of coaching, referee training, and medical and match officials, as well as sparring and training opportunities with the Japanese rugby team.

“So besides having rugby action on our shores, we will have tangible opportunities to develop the rugby scene here. I will call this unprecedented,” said Mr Low.

“When the Japan team comes to Singapore to play the South African teams, they will also spar with our national team and this gives opportunities for our players to be considered for selection into the Japanese side.

“And because our players will be observed during training and sparring sessions together, there is also the possibility of being referred to the Japanese professional league there.”

The Japanese national team is currently ranked 10th in the world and has a rugby heritage stretching back about 115 years, noted SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters.

“As top 10-ranked rugby nations with established high performance-level leagues and over 100,000 players each, there is no doubt as to Japan and Argentina’s rugby readiness and passion for the sport,” Mr Peters said.