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Sunwolves CEO Yuji Watase was inevitably asked about his team being axed
By Alex Fisher
Super Rugby's decision to axe the Sunwolves after the 2020 season will have a detrimental effect on Asian rugby, according to the franchise's chief executive.
On Friday, SANZAAR announced – after a substantial review – that the Japanese side would not feature from 2021 when the competition will be reduced to 14 teams.
The Sunwolves only joined Super Rugby in 2016 and have won seven of their matches in that time, their best return coming last season when they recorded three victories.
Despite their improvements, SANZAAR are keen to revamp Super Rugby going forward, but Sunwolves CEO Yuji Watase is disappointed by the decision.
"It is obvious that we have the responsibility to expand rugby in Asia as a kind of leader in Asian rugby," he told reporters after Saturday's 37-24 defeat to the Lions.
"It is clear that this [decision] is going to [do] quite a kind of damage, in terms of promotion of rugby.
"Personally I'm really sorry about it. But we have to find some other way [to promote rugby] and we have to decide after 2021."
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Latest Comments
Yeah, Perofeta's injury opened the door for Love to debut. Love's injury in NPC ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup matches, but Robertson saw potential in him, so he kept him around for the EOYT. However, Perofeta's recovery meant he could return, hence Love being played on the Wing.
Robertson's attitude was just pissing me off near the end of the year, with how he'd go around complimenting the new guys as if he'd always seen potential in them, despite only giving them a chance due to injuries.
Go to commentsI would remove J Barrett from that list ofbacks with outstanding seasons
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