Tony Brown pins the Sunwolves Super Rugby demise on South Africa

Former Sunwolves and Japan assistant coach Tony Brown has taken another swipe at South African rugby for what he says was a vindictive move to shut down the Japanese Super Rugby team.

The Sunwolves concept is effectively over after the announcement last week the franchise wouldn't be included in an Australian Super Rugby competition because of travel restrictions and other logistics.

Brown has previously been critical of South Africa's role in the Sunwolves' demise but he continued his attack after the team was officially shuttered. He is adamant the Sunwolves were targeted after Japan voted for France, rather than South Africa, in a closely fought race to stage the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

"I just feel as though the relationship between South Africa and Japan was pretty nasty there when South Africa were really trying to get the Sunwolves kicked out of the competition," said Brown, now an assistant coach at the Highlanders in New Zealand.

"I've mentioned previously the hatred South Africa had for the Sunwolves and Japan rugby around them not voting for South Africa to host the World Cup.

"I think that's where it started and now we've ended up with not having the Sunwolves involved and a little bit of grey around what role Japan will play in the future of Super Rugby."

He is adamant the Sunwolves were targeted after Japan voted for France, rather than South Africa, in a closely fought race to stage the 2023 Rugby World Cup