"World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby"
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China Lions Rugby
25 February 2020
View this email in your browserMEDIA STATEMENT | 'All Systems Go' For Global Rapid Rugby
Global Rapid Rugby today announced a March 14 Opening Round spectacular in Perth, Australia, amongst an amended schedule for the Asia Pacific competition’s inaugural home-and-away season.“We are ready and can’t wait to launch our competition,” Global Rapid Rugby CEO, Mark Evans, said.
“The situation in China and its effects elsewhere have meant the schedule has been amended a little but, I’m proud to say, there is not one hurdle we have not been able to overcome. The health and welfare of the players, the coaches and our fans has been our number one concern and we have followed the advice of all relevant authorities, including the World Health Organisation, every step of the way.”
The major alteration to the schedule surrounds home games for the China Lions, a team jointly supported by the China Rugby Football Association and New Zealand domestic powerhouse Bay of Plenty that was drawn to play three home games in Shanghai and two in Rotorua. Restrictions on sporting teams entering China means that games can no longer be played in Shanghai. The Lions will now play three home games in New Zealand and Rapid Rugby is working closely with Rugby Australia to provide a venue for two games in Australia.
The inaugural Global Rapid Rugby home-and-away season will begin on March 14 with Fijian Latui hosting the China Lions under lights in Suva, followed by a Double Header at HBF Park in Perth. Manuma Samoa will play Hong Kong’s South China Tigers, followed by the home town Western Force against Malaysia Valke, in a double dose of the action and entertainment that Rapid Rugby has to offer.
“It’s exciting to think that within six hours, six teams representing the rich tradition of Australia and New Zealand, the exciting potential of Asia, and the raw talent of the Pacific Islands will be on show and growing the game of rugby,” Evans said.
“It is all systems go for Global Rapid Rugby in 2020.”
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China Lions Global Rapid Rugby 2020 Schedule:
Pre-season: vs Manuma Samoa, Saturday 7 March, Blake Park, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Round One: vs Fijian Latui, Saturday 14 March, ANZ Stadium, Fiji
Round Two: vs Malaysia Valke. Saturday 21 March, Stadium Tudm, Malaysia
Round Three: vs South China Tigers, Sunday 29 March, Owen Delany Park, Taupo, New Zealand
Round Four: vs Manuma Samoa, Saturday 11 April, Apia Park, Samoa
Round Five: vs Western Force, Sunday 19 April, location TBC
Round Six: vs Malaysia Valke, Sunday 26 April, location TBC
Round Seven: vs Fijian Latui, Sunday 3 May, Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand
Round Eight: vs South China Tigers, Saturday 9 May, Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, Hong Kong
Round Nine: vs Manuma Samoa, Sunday 17 May, Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand
Round Ten: vs Western Force, Sunday 24 May, HBF Park, Perth, Australia
Final: Saturday 6 June, HBF Park, Perth, Australia -
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@Kirwan said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
Interesting to see the standard of the China teams, isn't it the sport of their army?
- S China Tigers = HK national team (95%) + a few O/S signings
- China Lions = Bay of Plenty (95%) + a few China national team players
That's what will be seen. As far as the standard in China itself goes - army or not - it's fair to say it's below the level of the above two teams.
China is a minnow, except it's a whale-sized minnow because ... China. They could potentially gobble up other T2/T3 teams quite quickly if they really wanted it.
When you look at World Rugby teams - and considering the fact that Hong Kong is ranked #21 - the sport's depth is quite thin outside the top 10-15.
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@Kiap said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
@Kirwan said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
Interesting to see the standard of the China teams, isn't it the sport of their army?
- S China Tigers = HK national team (95%) + a few O/S signings
- China Lions = Bay of Plenty (95%) + a few China national team players
That's what will be seen. As far as the standard in China itself goes - army or not - it's fair to say it's below the level of the above two teams.
China is a minnow, except it's a whale-sized minnow because ... China. They could potentially gobble up other T2/T3 teams quite quickly if they really wanted it.
When you look at World Rugby teams - and considering the fact that Hong Kong is ranked #21 - the sport's depth is quite thin outside the top 10-15.
That makes sense, sounds like it's like the US - the mythical sleeping giant.
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@Kirwan said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
sounds like it's like the US
Yeah, a good distance behind the US, to be fair. But a similar concept.
Just looking at South Korea for instance. They don't really have much in the way of domestic rugby at all. The odd club plus some university stuff, etc, but they were relatively stronger 20-30 years ago (would occasionally beat Japan). Team is still ranked around #29 or #30 in the world.
Bay of Plenty, would crack the top 20.
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It does seem an odd mixture. Players from Southland, North Harbour and Waikato. Most, of course, are from The Bay but it will be interesting to know if any in the team are fresh signings.
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I think you might find there are two "Mike Rogers". One is the CEO for the BOPRU and the other is the Assistant Coach for the Steamers. The Assistant Coach is the one coaching the China team. I could be wrong as I never knew there was two but have just checked their home page.
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@Snollygoster said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
I think you might find there are two "Mike Rogers". One is the CEO for the BOPRU and the other is the Assistant Coach for the Steamers. The Assistant Coach is the one coaching the China team. I could be wrong as I never knew there was two but have just checked their home page.
CEO Mike has a coaching background, I believe. Like you, I could be wrong but I've got a feeling they are one and the same bloke.
Anyone from BOP know the answer? Staff pics below (and wearing training shirts).
Welcome to BOP Rugby Union
Bay of Plenty Rugby is dedicated to inspiring passion for rugby in the Bay of Plenty by providing support and resources to rugby players, coaches & referees.
----edit--->
@Snollygoster, You are right ... brothers from another mother?
Coach was interviewed here:
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@Bones said in "World Series Rugby" aka "Global Rapid Rugby":
@Kiap think I mentioned earlier - is he the guy that founded Inside Running?
Yeah, I saw that. In earlier media reports he was referred to as BOP chief. Rugby Asia 24/7 recently said Mike was Lions coach. Sorta makes sense but, from fousands of miles away, dunno.
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Chine Lions/BOP 42.....Samoa 14
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MEDIA RELEASE | China Lions ready to roar into competition
China Lions head coach Mike Rogers has selected a squad that has a blend of youth and enthusiasm mixed with power, speed and experience.Global Rapid Rugby season one, officially kicks-off this weekend and Rogers says he is happy with the squad he has chosen for Rapid Rugby 2020.
“We have some really great talent in our squad and the side is looking forward to getting the season underway on a positive note.”
The Lions played a preseason warmup match against Manuma Samoa at Blake Park, in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand on Saturday, beating the visitors 42-14.
Rogers says the side is now looking forward to their season opener against the Fijian Latui at ANZ Stadium, Fiji at 6.15pm (local time).
“There are no easy games and it’s going to be a challenge but it’s an exciting one. It’s a little bit like Formula One Racing.
“To begin with it’s a technology race, then it becomes a team race. In our instance, it’s adapting to new rules and putting together a squad of players with the right skill-sets that will suit the modified rules.
“Then once the competition gets underway, it’s going to be a real race around figuring out how we do this.”
Lions’ captain Hugh Blake says the side is hungry and energised for their first hit up against Fijian Latui.
“You only do something for the first time once and the pressure is on us to show what the China Lions’ style of rugby is. You could say Rapid Rugby is the perfect canvas to show that.”
The fast-moving, high scoring, action-packed game that is ready to burst onto the world stage, has made Rogers look to some other senior players to help Blake mould his younger players into the international arena.
“We’ve got a little bit of a different approach for our leadership model. Currently, we have only four players, that is Hugh, Fa’asi Fuatai, Dan Hollinshead and Mathew Skipwith-Garland, but we also have a wisdom group and that comprises of Hoani Matenga, Dwayne Sweeny and Greg Pleasants-Tate,” the coach says.
“In our recruitment, we were really mindful of wanting to bring in guys who will really help the younger players along. They have played a lot of rugby in the Super Rugby level. Their job is around training, on and off-field leadership, being really calm and collected. To have these guys in our squad is really powerful.”
Rogers says he is also looking forward to the Chinese coaches and players joining the squad once the travel restrictions are lifted.
“Getting them into this environment it will be a great opportunity to expose Chinese players and coaches to this level of rugby, having them fully integrated into this environment will not only help these individuals but Chinese rugby as a whole.”
The China Lions is part of an innovative partnership between China Rugby Football Association and Bay of Plenty Rugby.
China Rugby Football Association’s, Director of the Multi-Ball Games Administrative Centre of the General Administration of Sport Yingbiao Chen says, the Chinese people enjoyed sport and there is a lot of opportunities for rugby to develop in the country because of the partnership.
“The joint venture will benefit both countries and I am confident the China Lions team will have a great season.”
Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive Mike Rogers, (who shares the same name as the Lions’ coach) says seeing Rapid Rugby come to fruition is a satisfying feeling.
“We are really excited about the inaugural season of Global Rapid Rugby. We have assembled a strong team and expect the side to be competitive and play a dynamic brand of rugby.
“Our partnership with China Rugby Football Association is a long-term commitment to fostering rugby in China and we look forward to building a strong fan base in China over the coming seasons.”
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The game will be broadcast live on Sky59 pop up Channel at 7pm this Saturday apparently.
