The head of the Asia Rugby Football Union said that Asia "is not ready to host a Super Rugby franchise," with no union or sponsor in a position to underwrite the $100M five-year cost of hosting the Southern Hemisphere competition's 18th team, according to Patrick Johnston of REUTERS. ARFU President and Hong Kong Rugby Football Union Chair Trevor Gregory "ruled out his city from bidding to join the league, which is run by South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and announced plans earlier this month to expand to 18 teams." With an extra South African side joining the competition and a new franchise in Argentina from '16, Asia "was heavily tipped to take the final spot." As much as he "wanted that to be," Gregory said that "the sums just did not add up." Gregory: "Can you imagine a union having any liability for a five-year contract that could have a $100 million price tag on it? That would bankrupt any union." Gregory and HKRFU CEO Vern Reid, formally with Super Rugby side Western Force, said there was "probably less appetite for Hong Kong in the African conference then there would be if the offer was to be in the Australian and New Zealand conference." Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan "were quickly installed as the most likely candidates to host the new franchise." Singapore has "not ruled out a bid, with help from outside partners." However, Gregory "questioned whether Japan, aiming for a seventh Asian Five Nations championship title on Sunday, were interested." The Japanese ''Top League," backed by local corporations, "has grown into a thriving competition featuring some of the best players in the world." Gregory: "And for them, that is sacrosanct, they are not going to disrupt their league because that is the jewel in their crown of their domestic rugby" (REUTERS, 5/22).
