Where should the 15th franchise go?

[beige]

After the SANZAR meeting last week, it seems that a 3-step process might be followed for the expansion of Super 14:
1. Expand the finals series to six teams, maybe as soon as next year;
2. An additional franchise to create a "Super 15", maybe as soon as 2010;
3. Possible expansion to as "Super 18" or similar in future years.

From reading various reports, it seems that these five are the most likely candidates for the 15th franchise (some more likely than others). If this is indeed the case, which location would you choose?

[force addict]

i think we should get in a polynesian team or two, just to add to the mix and so we know what to semi-expect in RWCs

[.X.]

for financial reasons and the growth of the game - Japan.

[robyn <3]

id like to see a pacific nations team in the pacific nations...

[Stone Cold]

Its gotta be melbourne...they love their sport...and would be an awesome road trip

[robyn <3]

Its gotta be melbourne...they love their sport...and would be an awesome road trip

ah, but does australia have enough players to keep support 5 strong, competitive teams?

[BLR]

Its gotta be melbourne...they love their sport...and would be an awesome road trip

They love their AFL that is, look how well the Storm go despite all their success.

[Thequeerone]

Where was Argentina on the list?

Voted for USA same reasons as Exile - money - huge market

[pieter blackie]

USA The sleeping rugby giant

not enough props in Australia as it is
another Super rugby team being fed with players from Australia will just weaken the rest of the Australian contingent in the Super 14

[laura]

Melbourne - will make the talent a lot more dispersed around the country and I'm not sure there are enough players to field a new team.
West Sydney (being pushed by Denis Fitzgerald) - same as above and NSWRU isn't making that much profit to be able to afford another team, unless ARU pays for it all.
Pacific Islands team based on the Gold Coast - Would be good, but would prefer not to have them based on the Gold Coast. Sure its close for travel purposes but a tad too close to the Reds and who will run the team QRU or a Pacific Nations management...just doesn't work in my book, but the layers would give a massive boost of quality players in the comp.
Japan - would love to see it, will help raise the profile of professional Rugby in Japan. I think we'd see the likes of Jimmy Hilgendorf and Matt Windle return to Super14, would be great!! Not sure if they would the backing but they would definately have plenty of financial sponsors. Travel wise, its a massive detour and they aren't in the Southern Hemisphere.
USA - Have the money, would have the talent and would certainly raise the profile of Rugby, making them more formidable opponents in the World Cup. Same goes for travel, like Japan, its a massive detour.

I vote Argentina or a Pacific Nations team based in one of the Pacific Islands.

[jazza93]

options 2 and 3 wont work and i would hate to see a team go to west sydney it would be a waste. The Waratahs and Reds struggle for crowds i cant see another team making it better.

A touring Japan or USA team sounds good. If they couldnt be based in their own country they could be based at a place like the gold coast but play all away games.

Where would a USA or Japan team have home games?

[NTT]

considering the options put forward here i would have to say pacific islands as they are the only option with a player base that would be able to be competitive and not rely on bringing in players.
america or japan though would get my vote as the financial benefits are enormous and out weigh any other issues involved.

[shasta]

ah, but does australia have enough players to keep support 5 strong, competitive teams?

Substitute the 5 with a 4 and go back a few years. Sound familiar?

I said USA. Not sure how the financials would stack up against choosing Japan but the growth potential is enormous.

[The Man]

Victoria and Toyko ...simple

[Darren]

Why not Samoa and Tonga and Fiji?