Singapore in the running for Super Rugby berth
Singapore's new National Stadium. Photo: Andrew West/Canberra Times
Thursday 31 July 2014
Singapore is competing with Japan for a licence to be part of the Super Rugby competition from 2016.
The Super Rugby competition, run by SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby), is expanding from its current 15-team format to 18 teams in 2016, with a sixth South African franchise and a team from Argentina to be added along with the new Asian franchise. There are five teams from each of Australia and New Zealand.
The two bidders now have until mid-August to submit formal tender documents to be one of the 18 teams playing in 2016. A final decision is expected in August or September.
Singapore's 55,000-seat, state-of-the-art new National Stadium hosted its first major event in June this year, and would be home to Singapore's Super Rugby team.
If Singapore's bid is successful, Australian teams the New South Wales Waratahs, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and Western Force would be playing in the Lion City.
The Waratahs host New Zealand's Crusaders in the final of the 2014 Super Rugby competition this Saturday evening, August 2, at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.