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Tony Brown says South Africa behind Sunwolves' Super Rugby axe: 'There's a little bit of bad blood'

March 29, 2019

The Sunwolves will no longer be part of the Super Rugby competition from 2021.

Former All Black and current Sunwolves coach Tony Brown has slammed the South African Rugby Union, following the annoucement that the Japanese side will be axed from Super Rugby.

After it was announced last week that the Sunwolves will be cut from Super Rugby after 2020 , Brown suggests that South Africa's resentment towards Japan over the hosting of the 2023 World Cup is behind his side's expulsion from the southern hemisphere's premier competition.

Appearing on Fox Sports' rugby podcast, Brown said that South Africa wanted revenge over Japan, who voted for France to host the 2023 tournament.

"There's a bit of resentment from what happened at the World Cup vote a few years ago, and it's a relationship that's been pretty rough ever since," Brown said.

"I think there's a little bit of bad blood there and various things like that counted against the Sunwolves."

In last week's announcement, SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos talked about the reasons for the Sunwolves' Super Rugby exit, saying: "It has involved some detailed analysis and a thorough review of the current and future rugby landscape, tournament costs, commercial and broadcast considerations and player welfare in line with our Strategic Plan."

 

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