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Super Rugby preseason games in Asia

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Army_Gav

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AUSTRALIA'S Super Rugby teams are looking to join the push into Asia by playing pre-season games in cities such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Wallabies have played Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks in Hong Kong and Tokyo over the past four years to raise revenue and promote the game.

The Melbourne Rebels have now agreed to play pre-season trial matches with the Crusaders for the next three years, while the Brumbies and NSW Waratahs are also considering playing games in Asia.

"We have signed a contract with a Singapore promoter to play Super Rugby trial matches with the Crusaders," Rebels chief executive Steve Boland said.

"It's only 50-50 that we will pull it off for 2012, but we will definitely be there in 2013 and 2014.

"Asia is an important market. We are all over it like a rash. It's great to have a team like the Crusaders share our vision."


There is a strong view that Asian rugby has tremendous potential for growth and Australian teams want to be part of the boom.

Japan will host the 2019 World Cup and rugby sevens will be admitted to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

"Super Rugby gets very good television coverage up there," Boland said.

"There is a great expatriate market in Singapore, which has six and a half thousand registered players.

"If we have a connection with Singapore and the Rebels become the Super Rugby team of choice, that will be fantastic."

Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan revealed the two-time champions were also interested in playing in Asia.

"In the past we have been close to doing it in the pre-season and post-season, but the timing hasn't been right for us or the opposition. It's something we are keen to explore. There is a very strong rugby audience in Asia.

"It's a good opportunity to develop your brand. We play an international sport, not just a national sport. The supporter base extends beyond Australia.

"It's good for your corporate partners and to develop rugby in those regions as well. Sometimes there are commercial benefits as well."

Waratahs chief executive Jason Allen, who was in Hong Kong last week for business meetings, said NSW would consider playing games in Asia.

"I wouldn't rule it out, but it's not our primary focus at the moment," Allen said.

The Queensland Reds could see the benefits of playing in Asia, but don't have immediate plans.

"Always interested in extending the brand of rugby and reputation of the Reds," Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael said. "Needs a fair amount of consideration as (it's a) very long season and tricky to play northern hemisphere or Asian teams without careful planning and financial and strategic modelling."

With Perth's geographic proximity to Asia, it would make sense for the Western Force to explore opportunities in the region.

The Force has already established a connection with Japanese club Toshiba following the loan of New Zealand five-eighth David Hill last year and an exchange of coaching ideas.

With SANZAR looking to admit one or two Japanese teams into an expanded Super Rugby competition in the future, the Asian connection will only grow stronger.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...important-market/story-e6frg7o6-1226187078727
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Jets

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
Have you all seen the stadium that they are looking at using in Singapore?
Floating on the water.

Singapore%2BSoccer%2BField.jpg
 
liquor box

liquor box

Peter Sullivan (51)
I am all for expanding the game but as a Reds fan I would rather see them concentrate on other parts of QLD rather than just the south east. QLD is a massive state and we need to cater for Cairns/Townsville/Mackay/Rockhampton and other large cities first. We need to keep the Queensland in Queensland Reds.
 
Jets

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
I think it would be great if the Reds played one game a season at a ground outside Brisbane. This way more Queenslanders would have access to the players and games.
 
Badger

Badger

Bill McLean (32)
Hong Kong would probably be a good fit for the Tahs since their major sponsor is HSBC, one of the major banks in HK.
 
wamberal

wamberal

Phil Kearns (64)
Badger said:
Hong Kong would probably be a good fit for the Tahs since their major sponsor is HSBC, one of the major banks in HK.
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I doubt that HSBC would pay for a jaunt like this. They certainly do not need an Australian team to promote their brand inside Hong Kong, particularly from what is a minority sport as far as the Chinese are concerned.
 
Blue

Blue

Andrew Slack (58)
Antony said:
That is fucking awesome. Imagine that in a storm.

Cipriani steps Carter, burns the cover, streaks towards the corner before getting swept overboard by a wave and eaten by sharks. I've seen the future, and it's bright.
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I watched a local football game there last year. They had a lot of balls and a guy with a little boat zooming around getting the balls out the water. I seem to recall it being larger than that. Maybe they had extra pontoons fitted to it?
 
Badger

Badger

Bill McLean (32)
wamberal said:
I doubt that HSBC would pay for a jaunt like this. They certainly do not need an Australian team to promote their brand inside Hong Kong, particularly from what is a minority sport as far as the Chinese are concerned.
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Wouldn't expect HSBC to pay for the costs if the Tahs made it over to HK...more of an opportunity for corporate hospitality for clients and potential clients amongst the rugby and ex-pat business community.
 
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