Plans to expand rugby’s Super 14 competition may include the fast-tracking a Japan-based team, according to the Canberra Times.
The paper reports that SANZAR officials are meeting in Sydney on Wednesday, and while expansion was not initially planned for discussion, the sudden international economic crisis has been put on top of the agenda. Some officials advocate the idea that embracing a team from Japan could soften the possible impact from the current economic squeeze on future rugby TV rights deals, which expire at the end of 2010.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill said: "There is not a business in Australia that is not taking a deep breath at the moment and we are going through a full assessment of our outlook. This is a paradigm shift and one has to be extremely thoughtful and cautious over the next 18 to 24 months."
Officials had already expressed their intent to have a six-team finals series next season and to expand to 15 teams in 2010 - with perhaps a Super 18 embracing Asia in 2013-2014.
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