Japan’s Sunwolves are to be axed from Super Rugby after next season, the governing body said yesterday, dealing a heavy blow to Asian rugby union just six months before Japan hosts the continent’s first Rugby World Cup.
The Sunwolves were introduced in 2016 to bring rugby union to new markets, but South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina Rugby (SANZAAR) said it was not prepared to bankroll the perennial wooden-spooners after the Japan Rugby Football Union withdrew financial support.
However, the union denied pulling funding for the team, saying instead that it had been unable to agree terms with SANZAAR.
After the Sunwolves’ departure, the southern hemisphere competition is to return to 14 teams and a round-robin format from 2021, scrapping the unpopular conference system.
SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos said the Sunwolves decision was “not taken lightly” and held open the possibility of a Super Rugby Asia-Pacific competition also involving Pacific nations, the Americas and Hong Kong.
“SANZAAR was advised by the Japan Rugby Football Union in early March that they would no longer be in a position to financially underwrite the Sunwolves’ future participation post-2020,” he said in a statement.
Sunwolves chief executive Yuji Watase said that he had feared for the team since Super Rugby’s ambitious expansion to 18 sides was reversed last season.
“We always knew we needed to be competitive and win more games. Ever since Super Rugby went from 18 to 15 teams we were concerned about our future,” Watase told reporters in Tokyo. “When you see videos of a kid crying with joy because the Sunwolves won a game it’s just such a shame and I feel so sorry.”
Reports say much of the opposition to Asia’s first Super Rugby side came from South Africa, whose teams disliked the long trips to Tokyo and Singapore for the Sunwolves’ home games.
Kyodo news agency said SANZAAR had told the Sunwolves to pay a “non-negotiable” participation fee of about ¥1 billion (US$9 million) a year to stay in Super Rugby.
The Tokyo-based team were introduced with great fanfare along with Argentina’s Jaguares in 2016 as Super Rugby, seeking new audiences, expanded to 18 teams.
Both teams survived the cull when the tournament shrank back to 15 sides last year, after the sprawling, time zone-hopping new format proved unwieldy for teams and fans.
However, results were slow in coming for the Sunwolves, who were embarrassed 92-17 by the Cheetahs in their first season and lost 94-7 to the Lions in 2017.
They won away for the first time earlier this month, beating the Waikato Chiefs 30-15 for just their seventh victory in 51 games.
In yesterday’s only match, the Blues edged the Highlanders 33-26.
Additional reporting by staff writer
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely