Singapore the leading Asian candidate to be included in expanded Super Rugby competit

A SINGAPORE-based Super Rugby franchise would have to include local players on its roster or the country would shun the team, according to basketball executive Bob Turner.

Singapore has emerged as a front-runner among Asian rivals to supply an 18th team in Super Rugby’s expanded competition in 2016, ahead of a Japanese outfit — believed to be Suntory Sungoliath — and Hong Kong.

It would represent a big gamble by SANZAR given Singapore is not a noted rugby nation, but the Super Rugby bid is believed to have government backing and a new 55,000-seat SportsHub stadium to call home.

Few are in a better position to judge the viability of a Singapore Super Rugby team than Turner, who transplanted an NBL franchise, the Singapore Slingers, to the country in 2006.

The former Sydney Kings coach moved the former Canberra Cannons and Hunter Pirates to Singapore but the steep costs of international travel and underwhelming support among the local population saw the franchise withdraw from the NBL after just two seasons.

Turner says the fact the Slingers had eight Australians and two Americans — but no Singaporeans — was a crucial factor.

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/su...-1226846211273

fuck me are we going to NEED a world cup soon?, SANZARARGSINGJAP - only NH clubs to add and we're done thanks to Mr Murdoch!

Any chance we can go a week without hearing about the location of a possible Super Rugby side?

how about Tassie?
reckon we could almost beat them,as well

I'd like a Pacific Ocean XV, playing out of Japan

I'd like to see a Lunar XV playing out of the moon when the next TV deal expires :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by jargan83

I'd like to see a Lunar XV playing out of the moon when the next TV deal expires :rolleyes:

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That would be the cratest team :eek:

I rhetorically asked someone when I was Singapore earlier this year how anyone thought it would be a good idea to put a basketball team in that country made up entirely of Australian players. I don't imagine a Super Rugby team will be any different.

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Originally Posted by chibi

I'd like a Pacific Ocean XV, playing out of Japan

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See above.

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The former Sydney Kings coach moved the former Canberra Cannons and Hunter Pirates to Singapore but the steep costs of international travel and underwhelming support among the local population saw the franchise withdraw from the NBL after just two seasons.

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Wow that's a real winner for the submission. In a non-Rugby country. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by shasta

Wow that's a real winner for the submission. In a non-Rugby country. :rolleyes:

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Duh who couldn't see that one coming...

"But! But! Asians! Money!"

Super rugby is big enough as it is. I wish they'd stop the expanison although an innforcers tour to singapore would be epic

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Originally Posted by beige

See above.

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Disagree, circumstances are different by a fair way.

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Originally Posted by Stone Cold

Super rugby is big enough as it is. I wish they'd stop the expanison although an innforcers tour to singapore would be epic

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oh hell yes!!!

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Originally Posted by chibi

Disagree, circumstances are different by a fair way.

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Exactly - Japan would be able to include its own players. Why stick a Pacific Island team there?

Pacific Ocean. There's no harm in having some South Pacific Islanders in a Japanese team.