Rugby Is (Definitely) Alive and Kicking!

The last 5 days have been wonderful for the game of rugby.

Firstly, the news that Japan will get the 18th Super Rugby franchise in the competition's next round of expansion in 2016 is a very good one for growth of the game in Asia. I think it's the best move for the game given that Japan deserves a chance to move to the next level - the country already has a growing rugby culture and infrastructure.

Singapore produced a compelling bid and travel wise would have been a more practical option for the travelling South African sides but unlike Japan, rugby very much remains an expatriate's game and there is also no professional league. Perhaps, it's bid was hit by the failure of the pitch at the new Singapore Sports Hub to perform to scratch during a recent Brazil v Japan soccer friendly - the NZ Maori All Blacks were meant to play the Asia Pacific Dragons there, but the game has been cancelled due to concerns about the pitch.

Singapore will gets its chance in the future as rugby continues to expand, but the 18th Japanese team will provide a sterner challenge to the established Super Rugby teams with its Top League stars, local and international. Also, crowds for the team, expected to be based in Tokyo but possibly playing games in Hong Kong and Singapore to be huge, and probably bigger than they would have been at the Sports Hub in Kallang, week in week out.

The next step really is for Japan's Super Rugby franchise to become the top of the pyramid for all of Asian rugby - time for the likes of China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. to get their rugby leagues up to scratch.

Secondly, New Zealand provincial rugby finally got the boost it badly needed in the face of questions of its irrelevance from Super Rugby, when Taranaki and Tasman played out a 36-32 thriller of a Premiership Final in the heart of New Zealand provincial rugby.

While Canterbury's 6 consecutive titles is a feat that should be admired, it lacked the romance and passion of a Taranaki or Tasman Championship win, and it was good that after 34 years, a side outside the big "5" cities was champion of New Zealand provincial rugby.

Ok, New Plymouth is actually a fast growing city and likely to pass Dunedin, one of the big 5, in the next 10 years thanks to the Maui gas field and wealthy dairy industry, but it is still historically is a provincial city, the heart and nerve centre of the Taranaki region - absolutely nothing to be ashamed of and in fact, something to be very proud of, especially with such a terrific rugby team.

Amber and black fans probably would never have dreamt of seeing their side being crowned the best side in New Zealand provincial rugby so it was just lovely to see the crowd invade the pitch at the final whistle for a historic moment - and a moment that might very well never be repeated given that New Zealand rugby's balance is still very much in the cities, much as Taranaki, Tasman, Manawatu and Hawkes Bay have shown that they have the passion for the game.

And wasn't it great to see the Tasman fans, glorious and magnaminous in defeat, form a circle around their much-loved players at the end of the game. Only 5 years ago, the Tasman union was set to spend time with Mid Canterbury and Buller - indeed the marriage of Nelson Bays and Marlborough was certain for a swift divorce. To make it to the Final of the Premiership is a remarkable win in itself for New Zealand's youngest unions, and surely now, more bright days beckon as more rugby players consider Nelson and Blenheim to be pretty good places to ply their trade.

So, New Zealand rugby finishes the season in rude health, with a historic game in Chicago for the All Blacks to come. And there's next year's Rugby World Cup to come!