DotJP wrote:
It is a debatable point in Japan too, and I needed to check the issue.
The answer is No. They can't make the new professional league, even though they know it is necessary for Japan. As the present Japanese circumstances,
ⅰ, about 70% (Japanese?) players are amateur.
ⅱ, the rates of professional players in teams are largely different in the league.
ⅲ, players who make professional contracts are decreasing these days.
So, they can't make it. They would maintain the current league system in this point. And they said it depends on club teams whether players are professional or not. In addition to them, it is said by some media that Sunwolves is a role model for top league teams in order to change into professional leagues, but they are going to lose that guideline because of axing Sunwolves.
Apart from this issue and talking about Sunwolves, the other day, JRFU admitted some executives had opposed challenging Super Rugby. So many Japanese fans are disappointed in it and their attitude which is disunited inside but dogmatic outside, and habitus of keeping things secret. JRFU will change executives in June, but we don't know how they change.
http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3...rt=525#p107186