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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