"World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby"
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Media release
CHINA AND NEW ZEALAND JOIN GLOBAL RAPID RUGBY SEASON ONE
Global Rapid Rugby has unveiled the China Lions as the final team in its inaugural home-and-away competition this year. China Rugby Football Association and New Zealand’s domestic championship winning Bay of Plenty have formed an exciting joint venture. The Lions are the sixth team to be announced as part of Global Rapid Rugby Season One in 2020, joining Australia’s Western Force, the Malaysia Valke representing both Malaysia and South Africa, Fijian Latui, Manuma Samoa and the Hong Kong based South China Tigers. Fast paced and explosive by name and nature, Season One includes a AU$1 million total prize pool, 30 games over 10 rounds and a one-off Grand Final. Global Rapid Rugby CEO, Mark Evans, described the inclusion of China as ‘crucial’ to the long-term development of rugby throughout Asia. “Our expansion into China is an important development for the competition. We believe that rugby has the potential to become an extremely popular and successful sport throughout the country,” Evans said. “Rugby is a game with broad appeal. Add the on-going energy, entertainment and family fun created by Rapid Rugby and I am confident crowds in Shanghai will love supporting their home team, the Lions. “We thank the China Rugby Football Association for its assistance and belief in what we are trying to achieve. The ongoing support of New Zealand Rugby has always been greatly appreciated. It is tremendously exciting to be involved with a progressive operation like Bay of Plenty Rugby Union,” Evans said. This year is the perfect time to expand the rugby footprint in China. The national women’s team will make China’s Olympic Rugby debut in Tokyo and the men’s team will continue its attempt to qualify for the 2020 Games. Mr Chen, President of China Rugby Football Association, says Rapid Rugby is an appealing concept with an exciting future. “China Rugby Football Association partnering with Bay of Plenty Rugby to compete in Rapid Rugby supports the strategy for the growth of rugby in China. We are very excited about our Chinese women’s team competing this year in the Olympics in Tokyo and see this new partnership as part of our strategy of providing opportunities to develop our Chinese players and coaches and raise the profile of rugby in China.” Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO, Mike Rogers, described the partnership with Chinese Rugby and Rapid Rugby as a bold step forward. “Bay of Plenty Rugby is excited about partnering with the China Rugby Football Association to participate in Rapid Rugby 2020 and over time grow the game of rugby in China. The vision of Rapid Rugby is one that we share, and we are committed to growing the fantastic Rapid Rugby brand in the Asian region.” The creation of Australian businessman and internationally renowned philanthropist Andrew Forrest AO, Global Rapid Rugby began as a Perth based Exhibition Series in 2018 and developed into a 2019 Showcase Series across seven Asia Pacific territories, featuring 70-minute matches, revolutionary new rules and an emphasis on off-field entertainment for fans. Global Rapid Rugby Season One will kick off on March 13 with the Grand Final in Perth on June 6. The full match schedule will be released soon. Global Rapid Rugby will monitor and follow the advice of relevant health authorities around the Coronavirus and immediately communicate any relevant information to stakeholders. -
China Lions Rugby
25 February 2020
View this email in your browserMEDIA STATEMENT | 'All Systems Go' For Global Rapid Rugby
Global Rapid Rugby today announced a March 14 Opening Round spectacular in Perth, Australia, amongst an amended schedule for the Asia Pacific competition’s inaugural home-and-away season.“We are ready and can’t wait to launch our competition,” Global Rapid Rugby CEO, Mark Evans, said.
“The situation in China and its effects elsewhere have meant the schedule has been amended a little but, I’m proud to say, there is not one hurdle we have not been able to overcome. The health and welfare of the players, the coaches and our fans has been our number one concern and we have followed the advice of all relevant authorities, including the World Health Organisation, every step of the way.”
The major alteration to the schedule surrounds home games for the China Lions, a team jointly supported by the China Rugby Football Association and New Zealand domestic powerhouse Bay of Plenty that was drawn to play three home games in Shanghai and two in Rotorua. Restrictions on sporting teams entering China means that games can no longer be played in Shanghai. The Lions will now play three home games in New Zealand and Rapid Rugby is working closely with Rugby Australia to provide a venue for two games in Australia.
The inaugural Global Rapid Rugby home-and-away season will begin on March 14 with Fijian Latui hosting the China Lions under lights in Suva, followed by a Double Header at HBF Park in Perth. Manuma Samoa will play Hong Kong’s South China Tigers, followed by the home town Western Force against Malaysia Valke, in a double dose of the action and entertainment that Rapid Rugby has to offer.
“It’s exciting to think that within six hours, six teams representing the rich tradition of Australia and New Zealand, the exciting potential of Asia, and the raw talent of the Pacific Islands will be on show and growing the game of rugby,” Evans said.
“It is all systems go for Global Rapid Rugby in 2020.”
END
China Lions Global Rapid Rugby 2020 Schedule:
Pre-season: vs Manuma Samoa, Saturday 7 March, Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Round One: vs Fijian Latui, Saturday 14 March, ANZ Stadium, Fiji
Round Two: vs Malaysia Valke. Saturday 21 March, Stadium Tudm, Malaysia
Round Three: vs South China Tigers, Sunday 29 March, Owen Delany Park, Taupo, New Zealand
Round Four: vs Manuma Samoa, Saturday 11 April, Apia Park, Samoa
Round Five: vs Western Force, Sunday 19 April, location TBC
Round Six: vs Malaysia Valke, Sunday 26 April, location TBC
Round Seven: vs Fijian Latui, Sunday 3 May, Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand
Round Eight: vs South China Tigers, Saturday 9 May, Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Hong Kong
Round Nine: vs Manuma Samoa, Sunday 17 May, Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand
Round Ten: vs Western Force, Sunday 24 May, HBF Park, Perth, Australia
Final: Saturday 6 June, HBF Park, Perth, Australia -
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@Kirwan said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
Interesting to see the standard of the China teams, isn't it the sport of their army?
- S China Tigers = HK national team (95%) + a few O/S signings
- China Lions = Bay of Plenty (95%) + a few China national team players
That's what will be seen. As far as the standard in China itself goes - army or not - it's fair to say it's below the level of the above two teams.
China is a minnow, except it's a whale-sized minnow because ... China. They could potentially gobble up other T2/T3 teams quite quickly if they really wanted it.
When you look at World Rugby teams - and considering the fact that Hong Kong is ranked #21 - the sport's depth is quite thin outside the top 10-15.
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@Kiap said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
@Kirwan said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
Interesting to see the standard of the China teams, isn't it the sport of their army?
- S China Tigers = HK national team (95%) + a few O/S signings
- China Lions = Bay of Plenty (95%) + a few China national team players
That's what will be seen. As far as the standard in China itself goes - army or not - it's fair to say it's below the level of the above two teams.
China is a minnow, except it's a whale-sized minnow because ... China. They could potentially gobble up other T2/T3 teams quite quickly if they really wanted it.
When you look at World Rugby teams - and considering the fact that Hong Kong is ranked #21 - the sport's depth is quite thin outside the top 10-15.
That makes sense, sounds like it's like the US - the mythical sleeping giant.
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@Kirwan said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
sounds like it's like the US
Yeah, a good distance behind the US, to be fair. But a similar concept.
Just looking at South Korea for instance. They don't really have much in the way of domestic rugby at all. The odd club plus some university stuff, etc, but they were relatively stronger 20-30 years ago (would occasionally beat Japan). Team is still ranked around #29 or #30 in the world.
Bay of Plenty, would crack the top 20.
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It does seem an odd mixture. Players from Southland, North Harbour and Waikato. Most, of course, are from The Bay but it will be interesting to know if any in the team are fresh signings.
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I think you might find there are two "Mike Rogers". One is the CEO for the BOPRU and the other is the Assistant Coach for the Steamers. The Assistant Coach is the one coaching the China team. I could be wrong as I never knew there was two but have just checked their home page.
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@Snollygoster said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
I think you might find there are two "Mike Rogers". One is the CEO for the BOPRU and the other is the Assistant Coach for the Steamers. The Assistant Coach is the one coaching the China team. I could be wrong as I never knew there was two but have just checked their home page.
CEO Mike has a coaching background, I believe. Like you, I could be wrong but I've got a feeling they are one and the same bloke.
Anyone from BOP know the answer? Staff pics below (and wearing training shirts).
Welcome to BOP Rugby Union
Bay of Plenty Rugby is dedicated to inspiring passion for rugby in the Bay of Plenty by providing support and resources to rugby players, coaches & referees.
----edit--->
@Snollygoster, You are right ... brothers from another mother?
Coach was interviewed here:
Cool to chat with Mike Rogers the China Lions head coach ahead of...
Cool to chat with Mike Rogers the China Lions head coach ahead of their preseason game against the Manuma Samoa Rapid Rugby.
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@Bones said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
@Kiap think I mentioned earlier - is he the guy that founded Inside Running?
Yeah, I saw that. In earlier media reports he was referred to as BOP chief. Rugby Asia 24/7 recently said Mike was Lions coach. Sorta makes sense but, from fousands of miles away, dunno.
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Chine Lions/BOP 42.....Samoa 14
