Rugby: Japan on track to host Super Rugby's 18th franchise

The governing body of Southern Hemisphere rugby - SANZAR - will expand Super Rugby in 2016 with the return of the Southern Kings from South Africa, plus the inclusion of a team from Argentina and one other.

Two bids were in contention for that 18th spot - Singapore and Japan - until the former announced they would withdraw from the tender process on Thursday.

The likely decision to include Japan in Super Rugby will give the sport a significant boost in Asia, with Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong to host the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

"Clearly Japan is a mature, established rugby market, whilst Singapore is new to the global rugby scene," said Eric Series, the financial backer of the proposed Singapore bid.

"Consequently, we understand that for an established organisation such as SANZAR, and its three Unions, that there may have been a reluctance to break with tradition."

Series believes SANZAR was reluctant to introduce a privately-owned team - all current Super Rugby franchises are owned by their respective local associations - but claimed the governing body will not be able to avoid private investment forever.

"With increased player movement, shortened careers and the economic changes in professional rugby it seems inevitable that this will have to happen and the beneficial changes being seen in the Northern Hemisphere will start to impact SANZAR as well," Series said.

"The Asia Pacific Dragons is a unique team. Our ambition is to build the biggest fan base in world rugby.

"We have already been talking to top competitions around the world which have expressed their interest to host our team. We will also continue to discuss pathway opportunities with the unions of Samoa and Fiji for their players, whom we continue to believe have been neglected to date."

The Asia Pacific Dragons first formed in 2011 as an invitational rugby team to showcase the best players from the likes of Fiji and Samoa.