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The topic of the expansion of the Rugby Championship is alive again. Following Japan’s scintillating performances at RWC 2019 the East Asian country is again being mooted to join the Southern Hemisphere’s competition.
Earlier in 2019 Japan and the USA were reportedly in line to join the competition. It was to come in part of a revamped global rugby order with the establishment of the Nations Championship. However that very project proved to split opinions and was canceled.
There were a variety of factors for the cancellation of the Nations Championship. The leading one was by strong opposition from the Home Unions who sought to protect the Six Nations Championship. As such that competition will continue unchanged without promotion or relegation.
The latest on Rugby Championship expansion is a new competition incorporating Japan and Fiji. In the final week of RWC 2019 advanced talks are taking place in Japan with a possible announcement just days away.
It is not only Japan’s tremendous rugby performances which have led to Rugby Championship expansion. Among the additional leading factors is the financial power involved. Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa would all gain from the inclusion of the world’s 10th most populated country.
Fiji does not carry the same population or financial might yet is one of rugby’s most traditional countries and the Gold Medal winners from the Men’s Rugby 7’s at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The country has regularly been ranked higher than both Japan and Italy though is now below the former.
The market potential of Fiji should not be unappreciated. The potential exists for Fiji to play not only at home but also on neutral grounds and draw crowds.
For Samoa and Tonga the possibility of Fiji, and Japan gaining Rugby Championship admission is bitter-sweet. Yet there are notable differences with Fiji having not only a larger population but also superior facilities, governance, and direct flights to multiple Australia and New Zealand cities as well as to Asia’s Super Rugby cities Singapore, and Tokyo.
Of Fiji’s 31-man RWC roster 25 are contracted to clubs in France or the UK. Thus in order to join the competition Fiji would require a transition similar to how Argentina obtained players from European clubs beginning in 2012.
