SANZAAR confirmed that Super Rugby side Sunwolves of Japan has been told to "dramatically lift" its performances next season, according to Wayne Smith of THE AUSTRALIAN. What it did not confirm are the rumors of the "dire consequences that might befall them" if they do not. The whole rationale behind SANZAAR scaling back Super Rugby from 18 teams to 15 -- by culling two South African teams and an Australian side -- is to "improve the standard of play." But it would be a "travesty" if the Western Force or the Melbourne Rebels were trimmed from the competition, "only for the Sunwolves to continue to be a dead weight at the bottom of the ladder." Until now, SANZAAR has "bided its time with the Japanese, turning a blind eye to the fact that many of the country's top players" are not being released from their company teams to play in Super Rugby. But "clearly SANZAAR's patience is coming to an end." The Sunwolves have reportedly been told they "must win at least five of their matches next season or suffer the consequences." It has been rumored that they "could be jettisoned immediately from Super Rugby if they fail to achieve this goal." Confirmation of Japan's woes "initially looked to raise the hopes that Australia might be permitted to continue to enter five teams" in the '17 competition (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/3).
