Japan and Super Rugby
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long term, I like Merht’s idea - there is plenty of money here and the time zones mostly work, so it is a big enough to get sponsor dollars and keep enough top and second tier players around, if a competition can be worked out the suits everyone.
Simply replacing SA with JP teams is a good strategy if SA walk away, although I’d prefer a competition through March - May that was inter pool play (eg, NZ derbies, Aus derbies, JP derbies, SA derbies) then a month in June with finals for 12 teams in two competitions (super cup For the top two from each, super something for next two) then we have International and (Semi-pro) domestic comps, and finished by November.
To be eligible for the ABs you’d have to play in any super rugby team.
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@gt12 said in Japan and Super Rugby:
To be eligible for the ABs you’d have to play in any super rugby team.
I suppose one of the problems with this is the NZRU wouldn't have control over work loads etc. There would be nothing stopping a foreign Super Team thrashing an AB into the ground, but I guess that's the risk the player would have to take if they decide to play for an overseas team.
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@Crazy-Horse said in [Japan and Super Rugby](/post/419338:
I suppose one of the problems with this is the NZRU wouldn't have control over work loads etc. There would be nothing stopping a foreign Super Team thrashing an AB into the ground, but I guess that's the risk the player would have to take if they decide to play for an overseas team.
Yeah if something like this did happen, I’m sure there would be a bias towards NZ based players still.
It would be great for fringe players and older established guys wanting a change of scenery
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@Duluth Daniel BRaid was in probably best form of his life when he played for the REds, but ineligible for ABs
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@taniwharugby Michael Little could’ve squeezed into an AB squad..
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Seems a decent enough thread for this. JJ is pretty rad eh.
Pick up the Pace Media
Jamie Joseph on why he didn't apply for the All Blacks coaching role and his commitment toラグビー日本代表 Japan Rugby for another four years Full episode dropping on Sunday. Stay tuned
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This idea is popping up again:
"Domestic competitions". I assume they mean Top League, Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super AU?
Or the new 12 team SR competition that includes all 5 NZ franchises, 5 Aussie franchises, Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika that is supposed to start in 2022 (but hasn't been signed off by RA, yet)?A change of format and opponents may initially attract new or more viewers, and obvioulsy Japanese coin, but considering the Japanese teams cannot be expected to be competitive enough, it could just mean new or more "clubs" to be beaten up by the NZ franchises. The novelty of a Jap-NZ-AU+ competition will wear off pretty fast if the opposition isn't strong enough.
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Isn't the problem with Japan the comp timings? Having a franchise like the Sunwolves is the right idea but like the Jaguares it needs to be a pseudo national side with players drawn from across the well established domestic comps.
If Super can dangle a big enough carrot in so far as player development and exposure to Japan Rugby then maybe there is an opportunity for the domestic calendar to change. -
This would awesome, whether it is an integrated SR comp, or after a domestic Champions Cup type format. Going to Japan is a great idea, they have potential audiesnce, money and the time zone works - very similar SA and Europe. Travel is not too bad, or won't be once Covid is under control (
)However it looks I hope it goes forward.
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@machpants yeah I agree but if the comp is integrated fully with them, which is like 15 teams or something then won't the product just be diluted completely?
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@yeetyaah said in Japan and Super Rugby:
Might be an unpopular opinion but I think the Japanese sides will get thrashed every week. I've watched a small amount of top league but from what I've seen the games are messy. Excitement factor is big don't get me wrong, but their game is frantic.
You’re right, although I think some of the bigger clubs will be able to invest and get more competitive after being exposed to the competition (which I assume will be a Champions league style event for the top six Japanese teams, plus all Oz and NZ teams).
Assuming that to be the case, the NZRFU could also allow players from NZ to play in Oz and Japan after being capped and getting a certain number of caps. That would provide pathways for players to get paid while strengthening the competition with more kiwi players. For example Barrett, TJP, Moody, Whitelock, and other senior ABs could play in those leagues.
One issue would be the length of the Japanese season and the impact of that much playing time on those players. I’m not sure how to get around that or whether we want to commit to that extent, but rugby in Japan is a market which has some growth potential/money that we could take further advantage of.
Finally, if we were to do that, I wonder whether SA would want to come back? A champions league style competition following SRSA could be a good solution for them too. That would allow for 4 pools of 6 teams or we could have 6 pools of 4 teams.
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@gt12 said in Japan and Super Rugby:
@yeetyaah said in Japan and Super Rugby:
Might be an unpopular opinion but I think the Japanese sides will get thrashed every week. I've watched a small amount of top league but from what I've seen the games are messy. Excitement factor is big don't get me wrong, but their game is frantic.
You’re right, although I think some of the bigger clubs will be able to invest and get more competitive after being exposed to the competition (which I assume will be a Champions league style event for the top six Japanese teams, plus all Oz and NZ teams).
Assuming that to be the case, the NZRFU could also allow players from NZ to play in Oz and Japan after being capped and getting a certain number of caps. That would provide pathways for players to get paid while strengthening the competition with more kiwi players. For example Barrett, TJP, Moody, Whitelock, and other senior ABs could play in those leagues.
One issue would be the length of the Japanese season and the impact of that much playing time on those players. I’m not sure how to get around that or whether we want to commit to that extent, but rugby in Japan is a market which has some growth potential/money that we could take further advantage of.
Finally, if we were to do that, I wonder whether SA would want to come back? A champions league style competition following SRSA could be a good solution for them too. That would allow for 4 pools of 6 teams or we could have 6 pools of 4 teams.
I don't find the idea all that exciting, unless we could get a champion's league with SA teams in it. And it should be played during super season, so evey month or so you could play a Champions league game, like they do in NH.
