World Cup ‘helped and hindered’ Super Rugby’s Sunwolves, says Sanzaar boss
Andy Marino speaks out as Cheetahs fightback denies Japanese team a ‘home’ win in Singapore
It has been a tough start to Super Rugby life for the Sunwolves and it might well get worse before it gets any better, according to Sanzaar boss Andy Marinos.
The Japanese franchise were beset with player and staff recruitment issues, with Eddie Jones stepping down even before starting as director of rugby, leading to a shortened pre-season and two defeats to start their campaign.
The second, a 32-31 loss in Singapore against the Cheetahs on Saturday, exposed their lack of squad depth – the scrum wilted badly under pressure as they let slip an 18-point lead.
“Everybody just turned their eyes to what was arguably the biggest World Cup we have had to date, to England, and locked everything out, so the preparations and the hard work that had to be done I think got put on the back burner a little bit.
“We can’t forget the significant impact the World Cup had in [Japan] ... but with that there is a caution that it’s going to be tough and that it could get worse, but I’m quietly confident they will pull through.”
The Zimbabwean-born South African, who played eight tests for Wales at centre, said Asia had always been a long-term target for Sanzaar but admitted he was still working on the body’s strategy for the continent.
Hammett, a former All Black hooker, is shorn of some of last year’s Rugby World Cup heroes who helped Japan to a shock first win over South Africa and further group play victories over the United States and Samoa.
Fullback Ayumu Goromaru and number eight Amanaki Mafi are among nine who play their club rugby elsewhere. Marinos said he was sad that more World Cup players were not turning out for the Sunwolves in their debut campaign.
“It has been disappointing that the best players we saw playing in Japan haven’t all been able to stay and play for the Sunwolves, but at the end of the day it’s their livelihood and they have a window to make a living,” he said.
“It is now an opportunity for the next generation of players to step up and come through and deliver. I think that is what I’m most excited about, who are those next superstars that are going to come through the system.”