Global Rapid Rugby

[dru]

^^^ That is a very positive statement.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^ I'm intrigued by the reference to NZR & the reported working dinner Forrest, Castle & Tew had in Sydney. Gotta say I'm still hearing nothing re: possible NZ involvement but Tew has consistently pushed for rugby to push into Asia so maybe there's something to it even not to the extent of direct involvement (e.g. player exchanges, Academy placements, etc).

EDIT: and yes, as dru says, very positive & probably the best indication yet that this might actually be a goer.

 

[RugbyReg]

here they are. Tew, Castle and Twiggy

 

[kiap]

World Series Rugby gets tick of approval

Nick Taylor The West Australian

Friday, 28 September 2018 1:46PM

World Series Rugby has been given the tick of approval by the sport’s governing body and the Western Force will battle seven teams for a $1 million purse in the revolutionary tournament next year.

The competition, bankrolled by Perth mining magnate Andrew Forrest, will create the biggest shake-up in rugby since the sport turned professional 23 years ago.

It will kick-off in March and is expected to feature two sides from Japan, and one each from New Zealand - possibly an “all stars” team drawn from the Mitre 10 Cup - Fiji, Hong Kong, Singapore and Western Sydney.

At least two more teams may be added within five years and negotiations have begun with broadcasters throughout the regions where games will be played.

“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,” Forrest said.

Forrest’s plans were considered by World Rugby’s executive committee on Wednesday who recommended approval to the World Rugby Council, subject to regulatory and governance criteria.

… Read more …

Clubs are expected to be owned by companies, individuals, national unions or current management and will not be tied to a salary cap for their 30-man squads.

WSR is also expected to contract eight marquee players who will be directed to clubs to produce a level playing field.

The competition will be played between March and June next year over a 14-week home-and-away season. The top four sides will go into a three-week sudden-death finals series.

WSR has morphed from Forest’s original plan for a six-team Indo Pacific Rugby Championship. It will be run by an independent board with Forrest as chairman and there will be a commission of clubs.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-...proval-from-world-rugby-council-ng-b88975383z

 

[Strewthcobber]

There you go. Great news. Well done all involved for getting it to the starting line!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Not knocking it but NZ All Stars would have to be M10 Cup players who don't have/ get Super Rugby contracts, right? I can see why NZR might back that as it potentially keeps the next 30-odd guys below the 190-odd Super Rugby-contracted players in the system, possibly more if some are going to be loaned out to the likes of HK, Singapore, etc.

 

[kiap]

would have to be M10 Cup players who don't have/ get Super Rugby contracts, right?

WSR and Super Rugby seasons would overlap so it's hard to see guys playing both.

 

[Strewthcobber]

200 or so new pro contracts out there. Lots of opportunities

 

[kiap]

200 or so new pro contracts out there. Lots of opportunities

Might not be quite that many. Could even be in the order of 100 (new) across the board for prospective pro players without links to the likely clubs.

Because teams like the Force, Japan x 2, Fiji (and to an extent HK) are already in existence and with a fair proportion of players in line to be signed up - or likely to be drawn from within their catchments.

Yes, Western Sydney and an NZ team would be all new contracts for their rosters.

Singapore would likely need a fair bit of recruiting too (and probably also top-up marquee players).

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Might not be quite that many. Could even be in the order of 100 (new) across the board for prospective pro players without links to the likely clubs.

Because teams like the Force, Japan x 2, Fiji (and to an extent HK) are already in existence and with a fair proportion of players in line to be signed up - or likely to be drawn from within their catchments.

Yes, Western Sydney and an NZ team would be all new contracts for their rosters.

Singapore would likely need a fair bit of recruiting too (and probably also top-up marquee players).

I'd say probably something around 75 odd of those would be open to Aus players as potential recruit. Which is still 75 or so more than we have now. Hopefully, we can see some comment on whether Aus players based in WSR will be Wallabies eligible because I can see opportunity in emulating the trial experiment this year with some kind of Super Rugby/WSR showdown in its place to select the Wobs squad in the years to come.

In regards to teams. I'm very happy to see Fiji named. I tend to believe they of all the PI nations could support a team of their own. And if I'm honest. If the reports regarding the renewed push for a PI squad based out of Hawaii come to fruition and end up in Super Rugby assuming they can put together a strong squad I'd be even happier.

 

[mst]

Fiji being named as part of the WSR to me is fascinating. I will be eager to see how plays out behind the scenes after RA started milking the World Rugby cash cow by getting the Drua in the NRC. Now WSR has WR (World Rugby) on side and has the bigger Fijian prize and potentially the support (financially and influence) to have a few Fijian players in the NZ and Western Sydney teams.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Fiji being named as part of the WSR to me is fascinating. I will be eager to see how plays out behind the scenes after RA started milking the World Rugby cash cow by getting the Drua in the NRC. Now WSR has WR (World Rugby) on side and has the bigger Fijian prize and potentially the support (financially and influence) to have a few Fijian players in the NZ and Western Sydney teams.

I actually fully expect to see both the Force and Drua remain in the NRC. Not only that but the mooted Western Sydney team enter as well.

 

[mst]

I actually fully expect to see both the Force and Drua remain in the NRC. Not only that but the mooted Western Sydney team enter as well.

I think so to. But behind the scenes RA and I bet SANZAAR may be annoyed as one of their future competition options was a pacific option. NZRU have invested heavily in the pacific especially with Fiji. I think RA will be worried the Fijian focus will shift more towards Twiggy.

If WSR works the key battle ground will be the NRC. If Twiggy does take more control over the NRC (which has been suggested) it will be interesting to see where it leaves RA.

That would be a very large Twiggy foot print if he had WSR and the NRC.

 

[ForceFan]

I reckon Nick Taylor has jumped the gun with this one as there's been no follow-up from WSR.
Think I'll just wait until the official announcement.

 

[kiap]

I reckon Nick Taylor has jumped the gun with this one as there's been no follow-up from WSR.
Think I'll just wait until the official announcement.

Yeah. Reckon you could be on the money, FF (Folau Fainga'a).

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I think so to. But behind the scenes RA and I bet SANZAAR may be annoyed as one of their future competition options was a pacific option. NZRU have invested heavily in the pacific especially with Fiji. I think RA will be worried the Fijian focus will shift more towards Twiggy.

If WSR works the key battle ground will be the NRC. If Twiggy does take more control over the NRC (which has been suggested) it will be interesting to see where it leaves RA.

That would be a very large Twiggy foot print if he had WSR and the NRC.

SANZAAR can still go the PI route in the form of the Hawaii option. I personally think that it would be a huge boon for the nations if both eventuated. Fiji in WSR and a combined Samoan/Tongan squad (which there is significant populations of both in Hawaii and West Coast USA in which I can see them targeting) in Hawaii could do wonders for players looking to play the game without having to move to the other side of the world. It could also then help push more engagement at Test level.

As for the a suggested Forrest takeover of the NRC. I don't think so. I tend to think it could act as the bridge between both org. WSR and RA can have their respective trans-border competitions followed up with the NRC where all the aligned interests merge for a truly national competition. And you never know. It may result in more resources being dedicated to it which will only help the structure.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I reckon Nick Taylor has jumped the gun with this one as there's been no follow-up from WSR.
Think I'll just wait until the official announcement.

Depends on where he got his information from.

 

[hoggy]

In a way you could describe this new competition as simply another version of Super rugby. It is hard to see how in the long run both competitions survive, maybe a merger, but the game changer could ultimately be private money.

If WSR can attract large investors that influence & power will have to win out, one main example I see is the calendar, how long with big investors involved would they accept say July, August, September, three prime months of the winter being dedicated to Test rugby.

 

[waratahjesus]

hey Y'all, long time listener first time caller.

i just wanted to ask for those who live and participate in rugby in Western Sydney and also those of Polynesian family what a transplant team based in a different country means to you?

its something thats been long discussed. often NZ, Townsville and Western Sydney are mooted as locations with Western Sydney looking like getting the go ahead in this competition.

does it lock other populations represented in Western Sydney out of supporting the club?

would you prefer a team like this is set up to create an environment where players represent there homelands or as a pathway for them to represent the wallabies, gain citizenship or both? why? (i realise this sounds problematic but if players are moving countries to play it increases there chances of wanting to settle where they are so they can be with there families)

with most sporting clubs not making profit in Australia what ways can a team like this actually connect with grass roots across three different countries whilst playing in a 4th or is simply having the representation enough?

theres probably some more thoughts i can't quite put my finger on but was just keen to hear some thoughts from those on the ground or those that connect to this on a personal level. i find it a really interesting notion.

look forward to hearing more about it.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I actually fully expect to see both the Force and Drua remain in the NRC. Not only that but the mooted Western Sydney team enter as well.

That would be a win all round.