Global Rapid Rugby
- Thread starter ForceFan
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Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Not much point signing with Singapore to make the 2019 World Cup if you remain ineligible
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Union welcomes World Series
Georgina Robinson - SMH - 20 September 2018
Is the tide turning in the World Series Rugby saga? First it was Rugby Australia sending out the positive vibes and now the world's rugby players seem to be coming around.
The body representing the interests of players worldwide, International Rugby Players, told The Cauliflower they were open to a world series featuring Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest's rebel league, provided it did not lead to player burnout.
"We've sat down and spoken to them a few times," IRP boss Omar Hassanein said. "The biggest consideration is making sure that players aren’t exposed to too much rugby, but we see the benefits to Australian rugby.
"Rather than losing the Sean McMahons of the world there might be another place for them to play and get the Test opportunities they want. We think expansion into western Sydney could be good if it’s done well and if we get a Fijian or [Pacific] Islands team up that could work in helping keep players closer to home, rather than feeling like they have to go to Europe to earn a living."
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...by-before-leaving-school-20180920-p504zd.html
Good to see Ms Robinson finally playing catch-up as there's been positive vibes since the announcements in Hong Kong and Japan last year.
Shame she still uses the term "rebel league" but very soon she'll find it difficult to not acknowledge what's happening.
Perhaps she just hasn't been told what to write yet????
(Denial is more than just a big river on the African Continent. You can also find it in Moore Park!).
Georgina Robinson - SMH - 20 September 2018
Is the tide turning in the World Series Rugby saga? First it was Rugby Australia sending out the positive vibes and now the world's rugby players seem to be coming around.
The body representing the interests of players worldwide, International Rugby Players, told The Cauliflower they were open to a world series featuring Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest's rebel league, provided it did not lead to player burnout.
"We've sat down and spoken to them a few times," IRP boss Omar Hassanein said. "The biggest consideration is making sure that players aren’t exposed to too much rugby, but we see the benefits to Australian rugby.
"Rather than losing the Sean McMahons of the world there might be another place for them to play and get the Test opportunities they want. We think expansion into western Sydney could be good if it’s done well and if we get a Fijian or [Pacific] Islands team up that could work in helping keep players closer to home, rather than feeling like they have to go to Europe to earn a living."
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...by-before-leaving-school-20180920-p504zd.html
Good to see Ms Robinson finally playing catch-up as there's been positive vibes since the announcements in Hong Kong and Japan last year.
Shame she still uses the term "rebel league" but very soon she'll find it difficult to not acknowledge what's happening.
Perhaps she just hasn't been told what to write yet????
(Denial is more than just a big river on the African Continent. You can also find it in Moore Park!).
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Good to hear Brett Gossage's comments on so many different issues.
It seems that the interview was at the Sydney Rays v Fiji Drua game yesterday, 23 Sep 2018.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/09/23/world-cup-expansion-australia-2021-2027
His comments specific to World Series Rugby (around 10:30 mark) as follows:
"Generally WR (World Rugby)'s position is if someone wants to put $s into the sport and it doesn't upset negatively the current ecosystem and governance in the sport then we'd encourage that.
I mean, if someone comes along with a cheque book and wants to develop the game in areas in particular where we need that development - and I'm thinking across parts of Asia which Mr Forrest has in mind and so on - then that's of interest to us.
Of course if you're basing yourself, or coming out of markets such as Australia, then he's got to be very careful that he doesn't upset the current competition, the current economic models, current agreements, that are in place.
But I'd hope, and I'm confident, that we can reconcile any of those differences and do the right thing for the sport globally."
Looks pretty good for WSR if viewed from the vantage point that Rugby Australia has turned its back on WA (with an annual contribution now smaller that NT or SA) and has shown little interest in expanding into Western Sydney.
It seems that the interview was at the Sydney Rays v Fiji Drua game yesterday, 23 Sep 2018.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/09/23/world-cup-expansion-australia-2021-2027
His comments specific to World Series Rugby (around 10:30 mark) as follows:
"Generally WR (World Rugby)'s position is if someone wants to put $s into the sport and it doesn't upset negatively the current ecosystem and governance in the sport then we'd encourage that.
I mean, if someone comes along with a cheque book and wants to develop the game in areas in particular where we need that development - and I'm thinking across parts of Asia which Mr Forrest has in mind and so on - then that's of interest to us.
Of course if you're basing yourself, or coming out of markets such as Australia, then he's got to be very careful that he doesn't upset the current competition, the current economic models, current agreements, that are in place.
But I'd hope, and I'm confident, that we can reconcile any of those differences and do the right thing for the sport globally."
Looks pretty good for WSR if viewed from the vantage point that Rugby Australia has turned its back on WA (with an annual contribution now smaller that NT or SA) and has shown little interest in expanding into Western Sydney.
Forceright
Allen Oxlade (6)
A very positive comment in support of WSR moving forward, with a hint of a warning to Castle there to cut out their BS & shenanigans in trying to stall WSR happening. The commentary from RA that they have been in ‘constructive discussion’ with Twiggy are so far from the truth its not funny, about time they got called out and World Rugby puts their foot down.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Jesse, I don't know about that guys. Looks to me like he's pretty firmly behind RA's position that the competativness of the existing super rugby teams in particular, but also SS as an established competition, shouldn't be impacted.
Spend all the money in Asia that you'd like seems to be the message, but don't upset the RA applecart.
Spend all the money in Asia that you'd like seems to be the message, but don't upset the RA applecart.
p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
That’s how I read it too
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
I think people are reading too much in here … from both sides. Short of magically producing a big new bag of cash, World Rugby aren't going to be the deciding factor.
Genuine heroic assumption is needed to believe that the soup, SS, and indeed RA itself can sail on unchanged in the current way. The hollowing is happening now. And that's regardless of whether WSR goes ahead or not.
The current competition, the current economic models and the current agreements are already upset.
Genuine heroic assumption is needed to believe that the soup, SS, and indeed RA itself can sail on unchanged in the current way. The hollowing is happening now. And that's regardless of whether WSR goes ahead or not.
hoggy
Nev Cottrell (35)
I agree the hollowing is happening, I'm just not so sure that genuine change will occur.
Rugby in Australia has IMO one major problem it simply is not popular enough domestically for the code here to genuinely grow.
Nothing i hear or the whispers going around appear to come close to addressing or accepting this fundamental issue.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
I assume you mean change coming from within. That's what they can hope to control.
But the situation is slipping further out of control as time goes on. Don't worry about growth when the basis of the game is eroding. It's the opposite of growth. People (players, viewers, ticket holders, yada yada yada) are voting with their feet.
That change may not be to anyone's particular liking. But it is happening.
hoggy
Nev Cottrell (35)
I just wonder if Twiggy may now be angling at more of a domestic product. Unfortunately couldn't read the article, but things have been pretty quite lately, surely costs of an Asian comp must be prohibitive
But the game here is in crisis, and i wonder is it ready for a revolution from within.
ASIAN RUGBY EXPANSION A STEP CLOSER
The global rugby governing body has considered detailed expansion plans for Andrew Forrest’s new Asian pro-rugby series competition in 2019 and beyond.The proposal for a full-scale, elite Asia Pacific competition was considered by World Rugby’s Executive Committee on Wednesday. The Executive Committee recommended the concept for approval to the World Rugby Council, subject to finalisation of regulatory and governance criteria.
“This concept is about developing and growing the great game of rugby union in an untapped region, with the support of local communities,” founder Andrew Forrest AO said.
“We have worked closely with World Rugby, Rugby Australia, Hong Kong Rugby Union and New Zealand Rugby for several months to get this over the line.
“The support provided by the World Rugby Executive Committee is an important milestone and I would particularly like to thank World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle and the many other rugby leaders around the world that have had the vision and foresight to champion this competition.
“The Asia Pacific will be a major player in rugby’s future. I am looking forward to being able to help develop the game in the region.
“We are in the final stretch and I remain confident rugby fans and players in our part of the world will have an innovative new competition to get behind in 2019.”
Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Raelene Castle said: “We have worked very closely with Andrew and his team as he has developed plans for an Asia Pacific focussed competition. There is a lot of detail to work through and we are looking forward to continuing this positive dialogue over the coming months.”