en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
That's right! The Japanese thread symbol has finally been used again! But onto what I wanted to discuss.
Japanese RFU is a union that has money and is showing improved performances on the field (through IRB Pacific Nations Cup).
Other notable things about Japanese Rugby:
One get's the feeling that the only reason some of the bigger, better funded Japanese clubs can't field Super Rugby levels sides is because of their foreigner limit and the fact that the Japanese talent is spread so thinly over 14 sides.
A plan for Japanese Rugby:
Perhaps, just perhaps, we could take a leaf out of the NH's book and view what they are doing for Italy. We could create two Japanese Super Rugby "provinces" (read: franchises), based out of the Kanto region (Tokyo) and the Kyushu region (Fukuoka). These could be sold/given to the bigger companies that already own clubs (for example Ricoh or Suntory)
We could make a rule that 60% or more of their 30-35 man squad MUST be Japanese eligible or have played for Japan. 20% or more of their squad MUST be eligible for either Fiji, Samoa or Tonga and the rest can be from wherever. Of course 3N players could play there and still be eligible for all their nations tests as they'd be running to a Super rugby schedule.
Also, Japan should get at least two matches against any of the 3N (soon to be 4N) countries every year.
If we do this I think we could easily see Japan evolve into a top 8 rugby nation, we could certainly see them grow to be competitive with the likes of Italy and Scotland.
The wonder with all this is, the money and infrastructure is already there. It just needs to be built on!
In the mean time check out this recent and reasonably high quality test between Japan and Samoa. Enjoy.
[video=youtube;yWaEZJ3Gyso]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWaEZJ3Gyso[/video]
This pie in the sky stuff, it really could happen in the next 5 years. If 2 Jap provinces were made and one joined each the NZ and Aussie Super conferences perhaps even the Saffas could get their Southern Kings.
It could happen and realistically too.
Rant over.
Japanese RFU is a union that has money and is showing improved performances on the field (through IRB Pacific Nations Cup).
Other notable things about Japanese Rugby:
- They, unlike the Pacific Islands, develop the majority of their national talent locally.
- They already have a professional set-up that could be built on (this is more then USA, Canada, Russia and even Argetina).
- They have a league that consists mostly of local players and that is extremely well funded and have some seriously good coaches.
- They are a first world nation with a huge population and rugby is growing in popularity their.
One get's the feeling that the only reason some of the bigger, better funded Japanese clubs can't field Super Rugby levels sides is because of their foreigner limit and the fact that the Japanese talent is spread so thinly over 14 sides.
A plan for Japanese Rugby:
Perhaps, just perhaps, we could take a leaf out of the NH's book and view what they are doing for Italy. We could create two Japanese Super Rugby "provinces" (read: franchises), based out of the Kanto region (Tokyo) and the Kyushu region (Fukuoka). These could be sold/given to the bigger companies that already own clubs (for example Ricoh or Suntory)
We could make a rule that 60% or more of their 30-35 man squad MUST be Japanese eligible or have played for Japan. 20% or more of their squad MUST be eligible for either Fiji, Samoa or Tonga and the rest can be from wherever. Of course 3N players could play there and still be eligible for all their nations tests as they'd be running to a Super rugby schedule.
Also, Japan should get at least two matches against any of the 3N (soon to be 4N) countries every year.
If we do this I think we could easily see Japan evolve into a top 8 rugby nation, we could certainly see them grow to be competitive with the likes of Italy and Scotland.
The wonder with all this is, the money and infrastructure is already there. It just needs to be built on!
In the mean time check out this recent and reasonably high quality test between Japan and Samoa. Enjoy.
[video=youtube;yWaEZJ3Gyso]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWaEZJ3Gyso[/video]
This pie in the sky stuff, it really could happen in the next 5 years. If 2 Jap provinces were made and one joined each the NZ and Aussie Super conferences perhaps even the Saffas could get their Southern Kings.
It could happen and realistically too.
Rant over.