Japanese set to join the party with plans for Super 15 to grow to 18

Greg Growden Chief Rugby Correspondent | May 21, 2009


FIRST Super 15. Next Super 18. High-level discussions have been conducted in recent months aimed at further expanding the Super Rugby tournament from 2013, revolving around three six-team conferences, and the introduction of two Japanese teams.

During the announcement on Tuesday that a Super 15 would start from 2011 when the elongated tournament would run between February and August, SANZAR officials explained there was scope for further expansion. Officials confirmed to the Herald last night that plans for a Super 18 had been devised.

This proposal has the support of the Australian Rugby Union Players' Association. RUPA chief executive Tony Dempsey said yesterday there was "a terrific opportunity to bolt on in 2013, two Japanese teams and an extra South Africa team, which would take it to a Super 18".

"Through this, you are able to placate South Africa, who are after a sixth team, and as well you are accessing new commercial markets in Japan," he said.
"You are also creating further development in a country which has the potential to become a Super rugby force. We're keen to explore it. New commercial markets in Japan cannot be ignored."

With the new Super 15, which involves three conferences of five teams, teams in the same conference play each other on a home-and-away basis. They also play four of the five teams in the other two conferences.

The Super 18 plan involves the conference teams playing each other on a home-and-away basis, while also playing three of the six teams in the other two conferences. This will mean the Super 18 season runs for a similar time as the Super 15.

RUPA, which was involved in the planning of the Super 15, said an expanded season would not lead to player burnout.

"Despite the increased number of games, the revised competition will not necessarily mean a substantially bigger workload for the players," Dempsey said. "Currently when not playing, players are subjected to numerous intensive physical training sessions to maintain fitness. With the increase in the number of matches this competition brings, players will be playing more games but training less to compensate. Players have frequently made it clear they would much rather play games than continuously train."

NSW Rugby Union chief executive Jim L'Estrange was pleased the Super 15 was close to fruition, realising the extra home games would boost the Waratahs' revenue stream.

"We've been looking for a longer season, so 2011 sounds very exciting because it will provide a better and more robust product," L'Estrange said yesterday. "Being able to play in a conference, and regularly against the other Australian provinces, is a great offering both for the supporters and sponsors. It gives us extra games at home."

Average home crowd attendances, through more home derbies, are also expected to rise dramatically. "The local derbies are generally our biggest crowds, while we are very pro the six-team finals," L'Estrange said.

ACT Rugby Union chief executive Andrew Fagan was also upbeat about the Super 15.

"It is absolutely what we need," Fagan said. "The best thing about it is that it will give us eight home games every year, and four of those will be local derbies. The most regular comment is that the Super tournament is over when people are just starting to get into it. We will have 16 matches … and there is a guarantee every single year that there will be a final in Australia."

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...498807999.html