Australia's Super Rugby franchises have expressed their sympathy for the Sunwolves with the Japanese Super Rugby team expected to be formally cut from Super Rugby on Friday.
SANZAAR is set to make an announcement on the future of Super Rugby on Friday afternoon and it is believed that move will be to cut the Sunwolves from the competition when the next broadcast deal kicks off in 2021.
Rebels coach Dave Wessels, who was the coach of the Force when the WA side was axed from the Super Rugby competition, has a unique understanding of their plight and said it was a "sad" situation.
"I think everyone feels for the Sunwolves at the moment," he said.
"I think they play an exciting brand of rugby, I think the way they've developed in a very short space of time has been good to watch and they get good crowds there and to be honest it's a nice place to go and tour.
"It's different and I think it's sad that it's come to this."
Wessels stopped short of endorsing the Sunwolves' long-term Super Rugby credentials, saying that something in Super Rugby clearly needed to change.
"I think the quality of the rugby has improved certainly this season but there's things around the competition that are not appealing to fans and that's just the reality and we've got to face that," he said.
"Some things have to change.
"Whether that's the right decision, I'm just a simple rugby coach, those things are way above my pay grade but certainly I do think something has to change in Super Rugby and what we can't keep doing is just the same thing and expecting different outcomes."
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said he felt the Sunwolves enjoyed a strong following in Japan after only three years.
"The crowd numbers have probably gone through that period where you've got an expansion team trying to forge a new market."
Gibson has been an advocate for a round robin competition, the format mooted in a 14-team version of Super Rugby, but it is expected that would come with the cost of a home game for the Australian teams.
That change would be a major financial blow for the Aussie teams.
"It's certainly been a big issue for the competition and making sure that the format is correct and that we do have a format where you're not away from your home base for four or five weeks on end," he said.
"It's simpler and if those are the decisions that have been made then there's a clear intent why the Sunwolves might be excluded."
Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano, who spent time with Japanese Top League side Suntory, said it wasn't nice to hear the speculation.
"It's never nice to hear that a team is going to be axed," he said.
"You're always wanting to be growing our game, not only in our country, but globally.
"I think they've been a team that has been continually growing and being a threat in this competition. They're not easybeats anymore.
"We already cut the Western Force and it's hurt us a bit in this country."
SANZAAR is yet to formally confirm any decision around the Sunwolves but the four-nation venture did flag on Wednesday that an announcement was to be made on Friday.
The Waratahs take on the Crusaders at the SCG on Saturday March 23, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT, LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
