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Global Rapid Rugby

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
I suspect Fiji, specifically, won't need star power.

The comp overall will want some of it (and be needed in Asia) but the relative 'unknowns' from the Digicel/Skipper Cup will bring enough for the Fijians to win. A few OS returnees will be icing on top.
 

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
I suspect Fiji, specifically, won't need star power.

The comp overall will want some of it (and be needed in Asia) but the relative 'unknowns' playing Digicel/Skipper Cup will bring enough for the Fijians to win. A few OS returnees will be icing on top.
I don't think winning is overly important (for now). Big names get bums on seats.
 

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
Big names get bums on seats.

In the case of Fiji, I disagree.

They've already got an audience base there. Paying out Radradra's contract from France won't increase the price those bums are paying for their Suva seats.

Where GRR will rise or fall is on the Asian teams. The on-field strength is lower, although the off-field is potentially higher.

That doesn't mean a Fijian side can't bring home players. But they won't be matching mega euros - and they won't need to.
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
Is Twiggy bankrolling the whole thing? Does he pay the players or the teams directly (etc)?
What is Twiggy paying for?
 

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
Is Twiggy bankrolling the whole thing? Does he pay the players or the teams directly (etc)?
What is Twiggy paying for?


Travel and accommodation and marquee signings will be managed by GRR themselves. So he'd be covering that. Pretty sure everything else is covered by the participating groups. All that has been made pretty public via bits and pieces in different articles over the past 12 months.

I suspect there would be some kind of funding for broadcast as well especially if they are going to keep the Twitter broadcast going.
 

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
Is Twiggy bankrolling the whole thing? Does he pay the players or the teams directly (etc)?
What is Twiggy paying for?

Thought you had an ear within Fiji Rugby? (just jokes, brother)

I think the best way of answering what he's paying for is: What he has to …

In other words, in the case of Fiji playing in the RR comp - a lot.

However, philanthropist or otherwise, you don't accumulate billions of duck beaks by spraying money where it's not necessary to get a result.

To get a relatively even comp, which is important, the need for marquee talent will be first and foremost in Singapore, Malaysia et. al.

The Drua, if I may presume that name, can win the million on local-based talent. Any repatriates are a bonus.
 

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Thought you had an ear within Fiji Rugby? (just jokes, brother)

I think the best way of answering what he's paying for is: What he has to …

In other words, in the case of Fiji playing in the RR comp - a lot.

However, philanthropist or otherwise, you don't accumulate billions of duck beaks by spraying money where it's not necessary to get a result.

To get a relatively even comp, which is important, the need for marquee talent will be first and foremost in Singapore, Malaysia et. al.

The Drua, if I may presume that name, can win the million on local-based talent. Any repatriates are a bonus.
Nah, you do it by milking government subsidies. Federal Gov. may as well be funding this enterprise.
 

Derpus

Nathan Sharpe (72)
I was being snide.

You'd have to buy Malaysia a whole team to be competitive with the Drua. Surely these teams are slow burners looking to build long term?

Short term you just get big names in to draw fans.
 

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
If you're snide, be good at it. ;)

At least RugbyReg is bringing his A-game - might not be enough, but he stays on his feet!
 

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
I was being snide.

You'd have to buy Malaysia a whole team to be competitive with the Drua. Surely these teams are slow burners looking to build long term?

Short term you just get big names in to draw fans.


This whole venture needs to be a slow burn. Even with mass marketing, big names and good turnouts there's no way he'd realise a ROI within a 10-15 years period. Even taking into account the population base, the growing middle class in the region and the projected economic growth. Even with the supposed 130m 'fans' in the region it's still relatively underdeveloped and diverse that you have to take a long term perspective into such a venture. The upside is if you manage to realise the quoted fan base plus more in that period the ROI could be rather significant.
 

ForceFan

Peter Fenwicke (45)
Absolutely. I agree with all that. You’ve jumped off the edge quickly. I only meant they were ‘meaningless’ in that they were 7 unrelated games. No trophies etc. effectively a series of friendlies so throwing the ball around to be part of a spectacle was fine. There was nothing to lose.

I didn't jump off the edge too quickly it was a meaningless comment which still makes no sense after your explanation.
To me it sounds like an attempt to put down what for Perth rugby supporters were the only games in town.

Did you even watch the games???
Both teams went out to win in all of these 7 games and play by the modified rules as best they can.
When did a trophy have to be offer for 2 x rugby teams to have a good go at each other?
The Western Force were certainly trying to win all 7 games and were disappointed in losing 2 - especially the one against the Rebels.

From the first game against the Warriors, through the game against the Crusaders to the final excellent game against the Wild Knights there was plenty of endeavour.

The only friendliness I saw on the field was after the game.
 
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