Global Rapid Rugby

[The Honey Badger]

^^^^ anyone able to translate that press release.

Are the Africans now looking for a start in GRR via a Malaysian back door?

 

[RugbyReg]

That's got to be positive.

He wouldn't be announcing bad stuff at that venue. You would hope.

I reckon he will announce nothing. Maybe a game v Tonga. But he knows he's got to announce something soon and this won't be anything of substance. He's done that before.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

^^^^ anyone able to translate that press release.

Are the Africans now looking for a start in GRR via a Malaysian back door?

This has been a thing for a while.

 

[RugbyReg]

First full home and away season next year apparently.

 

[RugbyReg]

Press release

Global Rapid Rugby will expand into a home-and-away competition in 2020, with Asia Pacific teams competing for AU$1 million in prize money.


Just hours before the final game of a successful 2019 Showcase Series, Rapid Rugby Founder Andrew Forrest AO reaffirmed his commitment to the sport in WA and the Asia Pacific region.
“We decided to use 2019 to introduce the Asia Pacific to Global Rapid Rugby’s brand of the game and this proved to be a good call. The players loved it, communities embraced it and it has been great for rugby,” Mr Forrest said.


“We have formed the strong foundation needed and look forward to bringing Rapid Rugby’s innovative and entertaining game style back to our region’s growing fan base, with AU$1 million in prize money.”
In a reflection of the strength of this announcement, Western Force Head Coach Tim Sampson, and Captain Ian Prior, have re-signed to lead the team.


Foundation team, Western Force, will remain a central pillar of the 2020 competition.
Confirmation of Rapid Rugby’s inaugural home-and-away season comes as Australia prepares to play an historic Bledisloe Cup contest against New Zealand before a record 65,000 strong crowd in Perth, Western Australia.


Mr Forrest took the opportunity to remind Rugby Australia that while Western Australia was proud to host the contest, the one-off event was not enough to secure the future of the game in the state.


“Saturday night’s turnout will be a timely reminder to the nation that Western Australia is a critical part of the future of rugby not just in this country but across the entire region,” he said.


“It’s the people of Western Australia that have kept the sport alive in this state – they have continued to form the Sea of Blue, they have backed Rapid Rugby, they will demonstrate amazing support for the Wallabies here tomorrow night and prove to Rugby Australia that WA will always be a Force in this game.”

 

[RugbyReg]

I reckon I was close. There's nothing new there. The $1M we knew before. I think we knew the Home and Away season thing, but I guess this confirmed it. No details of teams though.

this bit though:

“Saturday night’s turnout will be a timely reminder to the nation that Western Australia is a critical part of the future of rugby not just in this country but across the entire region,” he said.

he's wrong. Friday night's turnout will be a better indicator of the rugby support in the West.

 

[ForceFan]

First full home and away season next year apparently.

I'll help you RR.

Western Force invited to play Tonga Test Team in Tonga on 24 August as part of Tonga's RWC preparation and 2 weeks before Tonga plays the All Blacks.

Obviously Tonga consider the Western Force worthwhile opposition/preparation and good way for Tonga to help promote the game in the Asia/Pacific region and assist GRR.
Fantastic opportunity for some local WA players to show their stuff.

6 team Global Rapid Rugby Home-and-Away fixture kicking off in 2020.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

So at a minimum we're looking at the 5 from this year and the Valke for 6 that we for sure know about. Would be good if they could get a couple more to really fill out a 14 game season.

 

[ForceFan]

So at a minimum we're looking at the 5 from this year and the Valke for 6 that we for sure know about. Would be good if they could get a couple more to really fill out a 14 game season.

Not for the first season WCR.
Time to consolidate and concept with marque players etc and show what can be done.
I suggest that the RWC has been a distraction on many fronts.

 

[hoggy]

Well maybe I'm wrong, but I read that as all options are on the table. The last couple of paragraphs were telling, this was more about what happened than GRR future.
I just get the feeling that everything is up in the air. I just don't think anything is locked away right now, Super/GRR the whole set up of the game in the southern hemisphere.
The ace he holds is money, and rugby needs investors, without more private equity here the game is unsustainable.

 

[ForceFan]

I can confirm that all info provided above is correct.
No more options - that's what's going to happen in 2020.

However, I reckon that anything could happen once Super Rugby falls into a heap after 2020.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Well maybe I'm wrong, but I read that as all options are on the table. The last couple of paragraphs were telling, this was more about what happened than GRR future.
I just get the feeling that everything is up in the air. I just don't think anything is locked away right now, Super/GRR the whole set up of the game in the southern hemisphere.
The ace he holds is money, and rugby needs investors, without more private equity here the game is unsustainable.

I'd be more than fine if we saw the Aus teams make the jump across and look to link up with some kind of Champions Cup competition with the Japanese league.

 

[ForceFan]

I'd be more than fine if we saw the Aus teams make the jump across and look to link up with some kind of Champions Cup competition with the Japanese league.

Totally agree.....it would be a good way for Forrest to recoup some of his outlays for keeping the Western Force alive and the hard slog in getting GRR up and going.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall during the negotiations.......

 

[Aurelius]

Good. Another day without an announcement and I was going to have to start dipping into the Fringe well as a source of rumour and speculation.

I don't know how the Prime and Alternate teams were going to handle the home and away travel issue.

 

[ForceFan]

From the Nedlands RUFC long lunch today.
Andrew Forrest says a bit more than the press release.

 

[The Honey Badger]

If that is a criptic link, it doesn't work (for me anyway)

 

[ForceFan]

If that is a criptic link, it doesn't work (for me anyway)

It's via facebook.

Here's one from the Western Force.

https://www.westernforce.com.au/rapid-rugby-full-force-ahead-in-2020/

 

[ForceFan]

Thanks to Andrew Forrest/Minderoo for keeping a professional rugby team in Perth.

Not only have we had 2 seasons of showcase rugby but a full squad of players active in the local rugby community.

GRR has brought innovation with a faster, more entertaining style of rugby and a pathway for local talent to develop beyond club rugby without leaving Perth. 5 club players got to test their skills against the Malaysis Valke last night + another 5 who have become contracted WF players. 10 of 26 of the extended squad is what a pathway is all about!!.

Those who may think it didn't mean much should have made time to talk to Malaysian player Badrul Muktee who revelled in the opportunity to be part of the Valke team and experience rugby at this level.
The South Africa link may well be developed as part of Malaysia's rugby development.

Good to see a full contingent of Rugby Australia personnel including its event staff at the game.

Andrew Forrest with Phuil Waugh, Brent Impey (Chairman of NZ Rugby) and Raelene Castle (CEO of RA).

 

[ForceFan]

‘Absolute certainty’: Andrew Forrest commits to new Global Rapid Rugby series
Nick Taylor - The West Australian - Friday, 9 August 2019

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has committed to next year’s Global Rapid Rugby with its million dollar first prize, dashing rumours he was having second thoughts about his Asia Pacific tournament.

Forrest went alone, financing the competition for the last two years, after Rugby Australia refused his $70 million to save Western Force from Super Rugby.
“While there is uncertainty in rugby around the world, SANZAAR, Super Rugby, the Japanese competition, questions being asked about other competitions, I can tell you there are no questions about Global Rapid Rugby,” Forrest said.

“It gives absolute certainty to the sport. There is fluidity on their side, certainty on our side.
“There is one rock which you can absolutely rely on. Global Rapid Rugby is going ahead.
“We’ve had two really good building years to prove a concept.
“I told everybody that this would be a major exercise, that we would do it properly, not let anybody down, we’d make sure we have a model.
“If we weren’t certain about the model then we wouldn’t have proceeded.”

Next year’s home-and-away competition will have up to eight sides.
Forrest could not say where they would be based but it likely the current sides in Fiji, Samoa, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, will be included.
Talks are also still being held with Japan, who will lose the Sunwolves from Super Rugby next year, and Forrest said he would welcome another Australian side.

He tried to bring a Western Sydney team into the tournament this year but that was blocked by Rugby Australia.
When asked why he thought the Sydney side had been blocked by RA Forrest said: “Probably an inferiority complex!”
“We put out the hand of friendship to the Sydney team, Rugby Australia for whatever wisdom, didn’t support that.

“I love the fact that the Western Force represents Australia and if another side wants to represent Australia I will be delighted.
“Rugby Australia are out there doing there best. Global Rapid Rugby was a direct and immediate answer to letting go one of their top sides for the wrong reasons.”

 

[Kpc]

Only six teams in the 2020 season? But the Russian clubs Enisei-STM and Krasny Yar are always ready to join the GRR and are waiting for an invitation from Forest.