I find it quite interesting the relationship between BOP and Force. How did it come about, is someone there a mate of Twiggy's?
I think it good, I like the idea of teams/provinces from different countries having a tie in like this.
After the WF was axed, backed by Andrew Forrest (through his private company Minderoo/Tattarang), the WF commenced discussions around growing the game of rugby in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meant Matt Hodgson talking to all National rugby unions in that region from South Africa to Hawaii and from China/Japan to Perth.
These discussions progressed through from 2017 through 2019.
During 2019, the East Gauteng Falcons linked with Malaysia/Bangkok and the Bay of Plenty with Shanghai/China.
As I understand it the intent was to backfill/channel players from past Super Rugby level players and Currie Cup/ITM to boost these clubs to assist in developing local talent.
Global Rapid Rugby was realised in 2020 but only got the single Round in before COVID disrupted the whole footprint region.
It seems that there were plenty of talks between WF and NZ Rugby during 2020 and prior to the formation of SRAu.
There was even talks about the WF possibly playing in the NZ SRAo.
Maybe they were going to be based in the BoP area?
However, none of us plebs are aware of the nature or extent of those talks.
I covered the history of this period in a series of posts on the WF 2021 thread in March - threads #684 thru #693.
I understand there were talks during the scenario planning associated with the early days of Covid of maybe having Fiji playing out of NZ, Samoa out of maybe Brisbane and other options for the Hong Kong and China.
I can only assume that the bonds between BoP and the WF began and were strengthened during this period.
It would also have been assisted with Tony Lewis, ex CEO of Tasman Makos, joining the WF as CEO of WF/GRR.
It seems apparent to me that the current SRAu and SRAo (NZ) are maybe only with us during these COVID times.
There is plenty of chat of what will/may happen post-Covid (and none of us know when that will be).
I reckon that discussions around the Global Rapid Rugby initiative and efforts to grow the game of rugby in the region are not dead as confirmed by Andrew Forrest's ongoing $$ backing of rugby in WA.
