Hosting, and winning, the Super Rugby final has not "translated into a memorable financial windfall for the Crusaders." The team won the title on Aug. 4, but "the satisfaction of winning the major prize a ninth time" was offset by the disappointing "break-even" result. Crusaders Limited Partnership "had to accept that the costs associated with playing finals games at home came with a heavy financial burden." Under SANZAAR rules, the Crusaders were required to pay the Lions an appearance fee of A$125,000 ($89,700) and "had to contribute to a third of their flights to and from South Africa as well as accommodation costs" (STUFF, 12/17).
Japanese public bath houses "are preparing to suspend their traditional distaste for tattoos and open their doors for inked-up visitors" during next year's Rugby World Cup. The city office of Beppu in the World Cup host prefecture of Oita -- where the All Blacks will play during the RWC -- has prepared a map titled "100 tattoo-allowed hot springs" that will "steer visitors the way of the more liberal onsens, or public bathing spots" (STUFF, 12/17).
The Pakistan Cricket Board decided to renew talks with Cricket Australia to convince it to "play at least two" ODIs in Karachi next year. A five-match ODI series is reportedly scheduled between Pakistan and Australia to be played in the UAE in March (DAWN, 12/17).
