0
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
Last updated 14:09 12/09/2014
Japan are apparently winning the race to be the Asian entry into the expanded Super Rugby championship because of a flexible scheduling plan that includes hosting matches in Singapore, home of their rival bidder.
Japan and Singapore are locked in a two-country race to be the 18th team, joining the Southern Kings from South Africa and an Argentina side for the 2016 expansion.
Both Japan and Singapore were told to go back to the drawing board and make adjustments after Super Rugby's ruling body Sanzar were left unimpressed with their original bids.
Singapore, touted to have a team coached by All Blacks great Tana Umaga, emerged as the early favourite among South African interests because the city provides considerable less travel considering they will play in the African conference.
But Japan, with far more rugby history and infrastructure, have responded with a cunning plan to take their games around Asia, including Singapore.
"What we would like to think is if we do become the team, we become the team that represents Asian rugby, so there are a lot of opportunities to play games within Asia, which obviously cuts down the travel," Japan coach Eddie Jones told the Daily Telegraph.
"There are always other places to play games. There is no reason why we have to play every game in Japan.
"So that's a possible solution, to go a little bit closer and decrease the travel for teams coming to Japan. That's a possibility.
"We could potentially play in Singapore and Hong Kong, they're all opportunities. I am sure from South Africa you can get a direct flight to Hong Kong."
Sanzar could make their decision by the end of the month.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/s...er-Rugbys-race