Sunwolves out of Super Rugby

Tokyo: The Sunwolves final season in Super Rugby is over after the Tokyo-based team’s bid to play in a domestic tournament in Australia fell through due to Covid-19. With rugby preparing to return from the coronavirus shutdown, Japan’s Sunwolves had been in talks to join Australia’s four Super Rugby teams and Perth-based Western Force in a 12-week tournament slated for July-September.

However, Rugby Australia (RA) said earlier on Monday that travel curbs and border controls had made it too hard to involve the team.

Sunwolves CEO Yuji Watase said it had been an honour to play in Super Rugby.

“It is extremely unfortunate and disappointing but the reality is that the Sunwolves time in Super Rugby has come to an end for now,” Watase said in a statement.

- Reuters