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How's that really all that much different to the current situation? Most of the Japanese nationals on these teams are direct employee's of the company they play for anyway. And that could change post RWC. Only the imported talent and nationalised talent are actual professional Rugby players in the league.
And that's the JRFU's idea. They are also discussing removing the competition from under the auspices of the JRFU and run as a separate entity. Nothing is confirmed yet.
Krasnoyarsk, eh? About 1000 km north of outer Mongolia and minimum 30 hours and 3 flights at around $2500 return. Some road trip.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Do those pros still play?
Source?And that's the JRFU's idea. They are also discussing removing the competition from under the auspices of the JRFU and run as a separate entity. Nothing is confirmed yet.
While I'm sure it could be run more autonomously - it's not possible to completely remove from under the auspices of the JRFU.
If they don't approve it, it's not rugby.
Been discussing it with a couple of Japanese based guys on another forum. A lot of this has been covered by Rich Freeman as well. Of course the pro's play but it's been this way for a long while in Japan with the teams owned by the same companies the majority of the rosters work for in some form or another. Don't know if it will happen but the companies have a bit of leverage in the discussion. Without them the JRFU doesn't have anything resembling elite competition beyond the Uni's competition. We'll see I guess.
This is the original article I think. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/.../#.XMLrf2gzbIU. It mentions some of the issues you've suggested but the guys I've been discussing this with (PMing one another. As in I questioned them on the forum and they sent me a quick message) are going from what they are hearing direct. I'm trying to get some clarification on a few things.
Meh. I knew a lot about what was happening with MLR from as far as 18 months out thanks to these kinds of conversations with people who had their ear close to the ground. The guy I'm talking to is usually fairly accurate but as you suggest nothing legit until details emerge.