"World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby"
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@Kruse Yep, that's what you get when you have to assemble players who are not involved in any club competition at the moment. Basically, retirees, third stringers and players who play in the Japanese competition (the only competition having a break at the moment).
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Watched the second half of this game. Not remembering all the rule variations, I found the refereeing a bit off and I don't know whether that was because a different rule was applied, or whether the ref was shit. Some of that was definitely the latter, as high tackles and forward passes were clearly missed.
Western Force won the game 26 to 16, but obviously they've played a full season under these rules, while the World XV squad only came together early this week. If it wasn't for Nick Cummins having a mare, World XV would probably have won (their defence was excellent, except for the last 10 minutes or so, when they'd emptied the tanks). He butchered three try scoring opportunities by knocking the ball on, one of those coming from an awesome break from Spowart that was a "power try" in the making, only for Cummins to drop the ball. Has he always been that bad?
Anyway, one thing is true about "rapid rugby" and that it is indeed fast, really fast. Having rolling subs and the game only lasting 70 minutes was an absolute necessity, esp for many of the retirees in the World XV squad, although I was quite surprised how good Corey Flynn still is. Pleasants-Tate' constant niggles with the opposition were hilarious at times, as was a break he made in the second half; the surprised look on his face when he sliced through the Force' defence was gold. Ellis is still a classy player and Finau and Spowart were good, too.
One impression I got from the game was that there's a strong "AFL feel" to this format, both due to the speed and the frequent (high) kicking. Unfortunately, that also led to a lot of ball handling errors from both teams. They can keep it in Australia; I hope never to see it here, but I'm glad that the Perth crowd seemed to like it. After the Force being pulled from Super Rugby, it's good that they've games to go to that they enjoy.
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Another joke team, that South China Tigers. Not a single Chinese player in that squad.
By the way, the name Tau Kolomatangi sounds familiar. Didn't he play for Ta$man, maybe Chiefs, too? Or am I confusing him with someone else?
And Tom Hill?
Edit: I looked it up and it's a Hong Kong based team. That explains it. Tom Hill is an Aussie according to Wikipedia.
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Ma Chong is the Chinese rugby team captain I believe. Going by their wikipedia page most of them are eligible for Hong Kong.
South China Tigers unveil culturally diverse roster for rugby series
The South China Tigers definitely got the diversity memo. The menâs professional rugby squad on Tuesday unveiled a number of marquee players to compete in Andrew Forrestâs Global Rapid Rugby series.
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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. -
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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 Guildfordâs 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. âItâs not a big bonus, itâs a massive bonus for us,â Sititi said of Guildfordâs 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 Fijiâs young rakes, Mesulame Dolokoto, whoâll start in the number 2 jersey. Lutumailagi is no stranger to running rugby having won 98 caps for Fijiâs all-conquering sevens teams, scoring 71 tries in the process. Fridayâs 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 Rugbyâs 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 Rugbyâs premier Showcase Series team and won Australiaâs 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 yearâs Global Rapid Rugby Asian Showcase and reach their powerful potential in 2020 Malaysia Valke, based in Kuala Lumpur, comprises some of both South Africaâs and Malaysiaâs 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 Zealandâs 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 Australiaâs 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 âcrucialâ to the long-term development of rugby throughout Asia. âOur 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,â Evans said. âRugby 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. âWe 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,â Evans said. This year is the perfect time to expand the rugby footprint in China. The national womenâs team will make Chinaâs Olympic Rugby debut in Tokyo and the menâs 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. âChina 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 womenâs 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.â Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO, Mike Rogers, described the partnership with Chinese Rugby and Rapid Rugby as a bold step forward. âBay 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.â 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.
