WELLINGTON - Japan is the preferred option over Singapore to expand the Super Rugby competition in 2016, New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew said Friday.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chief executive Steve Tew speaks during a press conference in Wellington on December 16, 2011
Tew was responding to a statement reportedly put out by backers of the Singapore bid, the Asia Pacific Dragons, conceding they had lost the chance of a place in the southern hemisphere competition.
"The best way to explain this is that Japan have been the preferred option for some time," Tew told reporters.
"We are still working through a couple of important details with the Japanese and until they are confirmed we can't make a final statement. The Singaporeans have been informed of that and they've put that release out."
The Super Rugby competition will increase from 15 to 18 teams in 2016 with the inclusion of the Southern Kings from South Africa's Eastern Cape and a side based in Argentina.
Singapore and Japan were vying for the final spot.
International Rugby Board chief Brett Gosper said earlier this year that he wanted Japan in because it would help build momentum for when that country hosts the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
Japan also has a thriving professional league and its national side have been a regular fixture at World Cups, while rugby in Singapore is in its infancy.
The credibility of the city-state's bid also took a dent earlier this week when the NZRU cancelled a planned match between the Maori All Blacks and the Dragons because the pitch at Singapore's new National Stadium was not up to scratch.
Tew said it was a disappointing outcome.
"We were given assurances as late as last week that the surface would be OK but we just cannot be convinced that's the case and cancelled the game," he said.