Unless it's cramming all of us in to one side of the WACA and then putting cameras on the empty side?
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Unless it's cramming all of us in to one side of the WACA and then putting cameras on the empty side?
Didn't take long for TWAS to hoard and ruin the discussion points that Brett McKay put up on the Roar about the IPRC
Another reason why the June 2019 finish makes sense is that there are no June tests and in 2020 the test window moves to July.
How about an initial RULE (not an 'Agreement', we're wise to them NOW!) at startup of IPRC that allows up to 20% of any Wabblies squad (still can't bring myself to use the official 'Walla...' word we used to like, for the foreseeable!) to come from the IPRC.
Round it up, so, for a 23-man squad, up to 5 can come from IPRC (all 5 can be on field at same time, of course, if performance warrants).
How can that NOT satisfy all parties - still means that at least 80% of 'selections' need to be trotting round in Superduper Ratby, but if you're good enough, you can still get a berth from IPRC.
Games should be at NIB. Doesn't RugbyWA have a long term contract at the Stadium?
Here's my idea as an alternative - no number restriction but players would need to fulfill at least one of the following criteria...
a) Signed from WA rugby
b) Signed from overseas (whether Australian or subsequently qualified)
c) Signed from another code
d) A player covered by an existing Western Force Super Rugby contract
e) A player who has renewed an existing Western Force Super Rugby contract
I don't think the ARU could possibly quarrel with the first 3 - maybe the last one or two but, hey, it is a negotiation.
Reactions out of Singapore
Rugby: Singapore keen on joining new Indo Pacific Rugby Championship
SINGAPORE - The Republic is exploring the idea of forming a franchise to play in the newly formed Indo Pacific Rugby Championship (IPRC), which is slated to start in 2019.
Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) vice-president Sunny Seah told The Straits Times that the national sports association attended a presentation by the new league's representatives here last week.
Seah said: "It is still very conceptual at this stage, but we see it as an opportunity and are quite excited about it."
The IPRC is the brainchild of Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest, who introduced the new competition in September in response to the Australian Rugby Union's axing of Western Australian side Western Force from next year's Super Rugby competition.
The 18-team Super Rugby competition, which also featured the Japan and Singapore co-based Sunwolves, will be reduced to 15 sides next season. South African sides Cheetahs and Southern Kings are the other two teams that have been axed.
Billionaire Forrest is based in Western Australia, and a supporter of the Western Force.
According to recent media reports, the IPRC will feature six franchises, including the Western Force, and will start in March 2019. This will bring it head to head with the Super Rugby season, which runs from February to August.
Other than Singapore, the new league's organisers have reportedly been in contact with countries such as China, Japan, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Hong Kong and South Korea on forming franchises.
SRU's Seah said: "The interesting thing is that it's not just about the men's 15s; they plan to have competitions for the women's 15s, as well as the men's and women's sevens. It seems like a pretty big deal."
However, the clash in the Super Rugby and IPRC league seasons would also mean that top players may choose Super Rugby over the new competition if they want to be selected for Australia, especially with the World Cup looming in 2019 in Japan.
With only a few exceptions, the Wallabies' selection policies dictate that players must play for a franchise in Super Rugby, which features four Australian sides next season, to be considered for selection.
But Seah said: "They have promised us that there'd be marquee players, probably former Wallabies, and they will not be concentrated in an Australian super team that plays against the rest of the world.
"These players will be distributed among the franchises and they will, in turn, help the various teams develop rugby in their respective countries through clinics and training."
National player Kyle Chong is understandably excited about the possibility of playing in the new championship.
The No. 10 said: "It would be a great opportunity and one that I would relish. As a player, you always want to improve and be better.
"The only way to do that and improve individually, and as team, is to play with, and against, better players.
"The concept is fantastic and I'm keen to hear more plans as it develops with the organisers and SRU."
http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/ru...y-championship
Singapore would be a logical entrant as they have huge grassroots participation and WA youth teams often go over there on tour, im not 100% on their senior level but no doubt there is some talent floating around.
You bloody ripper!!! Talking to a fair few other rugby tragics up here, they would all certainly be interested in supporting this. Apart from ex-Australian players, the Singapore team could also bring in the PI players to strengthen the side. That would also make it easier if they need to release any PI players for any international duties.
I wouldn't mind sitting on the hill, drinking a few tigers, a curry puff or two and watching the Force take on the Singapore Lions!
Singapore Slings ;)