"World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby"
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Samoan franchise given green light for breakaway rugby tournament
Global Rapid Rugby is heading to Auckland after New Zealand Rugby agreed to sanction a one-off exhibition game between two Pacific Island teams in June.Pukekohe's Navigation Homes Stadium is set to host Kafiga Samoa and Fijian Latui on June 7. The two sides will be joined by the Western Force in a Pacific Showcase which starts in Suva next month. "It's going to be new, it's going to be high-paced, it's going to be intense," Kafiga Samoa chief executive Richard Fale told 1 NEWS. "[The] New Zealand Rugby Union's support for Global Rapid Rugby is a very well placed, insightful position looking forward into the future. "You have to look at what is the market place going to look like in five years, in 10 years, in 20 years." An Asia Showcase began last month featuring a World XV coached by Robbie Deans, the Asia Pacific Dragons and South China Tigers. Kafiga Samoa will host this year's matches in Auckland and Brisbane due to Apia Park undergoing renovations ahead of the Pacific Games in July. The outfit has formed a relationship with Counties Manukau with Mitre 10 Cup coaches Darryl Suasua and Semo Sititi all but confirmed to lead the side. Samoa Rugby will look to provide the bulk of the squad while players New Zealand-based players from Tonga and Fiji are also being targeted.Fale has plans to start another Hawaiian-based team while the Japanese Sunwolves have also been tipped to join Global Rapid Rugby after being left out of Super Rugby from 2021. -
Kagifa Samoa add firepower for Fiji clash
Eleven times capped All Black Zac Guildford headlines the inclusions for Kagifa Samoa, as they prepare for battle against Pacific rivals Fijian Latui in a massive Friday night Global Rapid Rugby match-up in New Zealand. Kagifa Samoa Head Coach Semo Sititi has made six changes to his matchday 23, including a new look front three, as well as tactical adjustments to the second row and loose forwards. Flyhalf Luke Makris has been brought in for his first match, while Guildford’s addition at fullback gives the side another potent attacking option. Guildford has been on the radar of the Samoan side for some time and will be a key as they look to unlock their raw potential and turn the tables on Fiji after going down in a thriller in Lautoka three weeks ago. “It’s not a big bonus, it’s a massive bonus for us,” Sititi said of Guildford’s inclusion. … The Fijian Latui side have made some pretty handy inclusions of their own including national team representatives Isikeli Nabou and Veremalua Vugakoto, along with Fijian sevens veteran Joeli Lutumailagi. Nabou will give a strong presence alongside Peni Naulago as the starting locks pairing, while 21-year-old rising star Vugakoto will start on the bench and be a more than capable replacement for another of Fiji’s young rakes, Mesulame Dolokoto, who’ll start in the number 2 jersey. Lutumailagi is no stranger to running rugby having won 98 caps for Fiji’s all-conquering sevens teams, scoring 71 tries in the process. Friday’s clash is a home game for Kagifa Samoa and is being played at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe with Apia Park in Samoa undergoing renovations. A loud and enthusiastic crowd is expected, with a feast of entertainment, including a 45min post-match party featuring DJ Noiz, Kennyon Brown and Donell Lewis.Friday, 7 June | Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe
Gates open: 3.30pm | Kick-off: 5.40pm
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Global Rapid Rugby’s inaugural home-and-away season will feature six teams, 10 rounds, 31 games including a one-off Final and $AU 1 Million in prize money. Five of the teams that will fight for the Global Rapid Rugby Season 1 title in 2020 were unveiled today and represent the traditional powers of Australasia, the untapped potential of Asia and the passion and pride of the Pacific Islands. Fast-paced and explosive by name and nature, the competition will begin on Friday, March 13 and reach a crescendo when the top two teams go head-to-head in the Grand Final in Perth, Australia, on June 5 or 6. The Teams: Western Force was Global Rapid Rugby’s premier Showcase Series team and won Australia’s National Rugby Championship earlier this month Fijian Latui will take its amazing mix of flair and strength to all parts of the rugby-mad island nation, and be just as tough to beat on foreign shores Manuma Samoa is an exciting, home-grown squad capable of anything, particularly on a redeveloped home stadium in Apia South China Tigers from Hong Kong is sure to build on this year’s Global Rapid Rugby Asian Showcase and reach their powerful potential in 2020 Malaysia Valke, based in Kuala Lumpur, comprises some of both South Africa’s and Malaysia’s best domestic talent and a strong hunger to succeed Negotiations are nearing completion with a sixth team to be based in Asia. -
If the Bay (BoP) were to be involved then it could be part of the Malaysian team, because of their cobra relationship.
CEO was quite adamant on that podcast something was happening
Or part of the yet unnamed team
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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. -
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.@Stargazer interesting....didn't Mike Rogers used to run Inside Running (global rugby player placement/recruitment company)?
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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 -
"New Zealand domestic powerhouse Bay of Plenty"
Snigger.
Interesting to see the standard of the China teams, isn't it the sport of their army?
@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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@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.
@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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@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.
@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.
