Sanzar CEO Andy Marinos is confident Japan's new Super Rugby franchise, the Sunwolves, will be ready to compete in 2016.

Vodacom Super Rugby will expand to an 18-team competition next year to include new franchise teams from Japan and Argentina, and the Kings from South Africa returning to the competition after one season in 2013. 

There has been much media specualtion about the preparedness of the Sunwolves, which will have a hectic travel schedule. They have yet to announce their final squad and head coach.

However, Marinos is confident the Sunwolves will be ready and prepared to compete in 2016. The Japanese franchise is about to announce a head coach within the next couple of weeks followed by a final squad announcement.

‘We expect they will finalise their coach in the next week or two. There are obviously a few players who are waiting to understand who that coach is before they commit. We expect to see a lot more traction in the next week or two.’

Marinos added that while previously he was concerned about how the team would perform, it was dangerous to write them off at this early stage.