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NZ Rugby signs support agreement for rebel Asia Pacific league
New Zealand Rugby has pledged its support for Western Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest's new Asia Pacific competition – a move which may see Auckland stage two 'home' matches for a Samoan side – but not everyone is on board with the decision to back the rebel league.
Concerns are understood to be held within the wider Auckland region about the threat Forrest's competition, dubbed Global Rapid Rugby (GRR), poses in the already challenging market of securing and retaining New Zealand players, sponsors and supporters.
In an email, obtained by the Herald, to all Super Rugby and provincial union chief executives, head of tournaments and competitions, Cameron Good, explains NZR has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rugby Australia to support Forrest's venture.
The NZR email also syndicates a Global Rapid Rugby proposal, with former Force captain Matt Hodgson listed as the point of contact, that could see players, commercial and coaching resources shared between respective, interested teams.
"We have received an approach from GRR asking whether there would be interest in New Zealand Super Rugby clubs or Mitre 10 Cup provincial unions forming partnerships with the new teams that are joining GRR," Good writes. "We asked GRR to put this proposal in writing (see attached) and agreed to put this in front of the 19 organisations hence this email."
Global Rapid Rugby will be based out of and run by the Hong Kong Rugby Union. It has been rebranded after a series of trial matches involving Forrest's Force under the World Series Rugby banner this year and is scheduled to launch in February, 2019, after gaining sanction from World Rugby.
Uncertainty over final details prevails some two months out from kickoff but eight teams are due to contest the inaugural season: Fiji, Samoa, Japan's Panasonic, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Force, and a side backed by a private consortium from a country yet to be announced.
One South African team may be added and the GRR proposal lists Hawaii, Sri Lanka, Philippines, India and China as 'expansion teams'.
The Herald understands NZR may stage two home matches for the Samoan side in Auckland.
The Samoan bid involves Richard Fale, the Tongan-born politician who failed to buy the Warriors.
Fale is also the face of the Hawaii-based consortium that attempted to join Super Rugby. It is likely the Samoan team will, therefore, play some home matches in Honolulu.
NZR's position is believed to be there is no point fighting this new competition which is scheduled to feature 14 rounds, 56 games of 70 minutes and rouge rules such as not kicking out on the full.
There is also thought that GRR could be a possible fallback option, should South Africa pull out of Sanzaar and head north at any point in the future.
With Forest worth around 4.5b and pledging $50m to the new tournament, including $1m for the inaugural winner, NZR is believed to see potential in the opportunity to have a tier of players paid by someone else.
Former All Blacks and Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush is the sole 'marquee' signing at present but five players from Otago have also been snapped up.
The proposal to form partnerships with New Zealand teams states how recruitment would work:
"A player contracted from Mitre Cup can be placed into a Global Rapid Rugby team for a short term or the full duration – from March to June. This would allow players associated with Mitre Cup teams to get professional rugby for a longer duration.
"A player from Super Rugby can also benefit from Global Rapid Rugby. If a player is injured/returning from suspension and/or misses selection and requires game time Global Rapid Rugby would welcome players from the aligned Super Rugby team."
Having missed out yet again in their bid for a Super Rugby team due to financial constraints, GRR represents a major fillip for the Pacific Islands with up to 50 on-island based players set to gain short term professional contracts, building on the success of the Fiji Drua who won this year's Australian domestic competition.
But when it comes to the wider Auckland region and the Blues, the scrap to retain emerging talent is already fierce. From overseas clubs to league scouts and other New Zealand Super Rugby teams, Auckland's natural talent pool has long been plundered.
Another layer and another competitor are, therefore, not being welcomed by all.
While reluctant to speak publicly, these concerns are understood to be shared by other New Zealand provincial and Super Rugby bases battling similar on-going challenges in the player, sponsor and crowd sectors.
Once players leave it is harder to lure them back. GRR directly recruiting from New Zealand also has the potential to further deplete depth.
This situation puts NZR in a delicate position after buying back a 40 per cent stake in the Blues, and with Auckland beginning a revival after claiming their first provincial title since 2007 this year.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/new...ectid=12181213
But when it comes to the wider Auckland region and the Blues, the scrap to retain emerging talent is already fierce. From overseas clubs to league scouts and other New Zealand Super Rugby teams, Auckland's natural talent pool has long been plundered.
Another layer and another competitor are, therefore, not being welcomed by all.
While reluctant to speak publicly, these concerns are understood to be shared by other New Zealand provincial and Super Rugby bases battling similar on-going challenges in the player, sponsor and crowd sectors.
Once players leave it is harder to lure them back. GRR directly recruiting from New Zealand also has the potential to further deplete depth.
This situation puts NZR in a delicate position after buying back a 40 per cent stake in the Blues, and with Auckland beginning a revival after claiming their first provincial title since 2007 this year.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
One South African team may be added and the GRR proposal lists Hawaii, Sri Lanka, Philippines, India and China as 'expansion teams'.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
NZR's position is believed to be there is no point fighting this new competition which is scheduled to feature 14 rounds, 56 games of 70 minutes and rouge rules such as not kicking out on the full.
There is also thought that GRR could be a possible fallback option, should South Africa pull out of Sanzaar and head north at any point in the future.""
Cameron Good, explains NZR has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rugby Australia to support Forrest's venture.
So Raelene got NZR to support GRR, but could not get NSW to do same.
Global Rapid Rugby gaining momentum as New Zealand rugby pledges support
New Zealand rugby has pledged support for the $1million Global Rapid Rugby competition.
A report in the New Zealand Herald says the NZ Rugby Union has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rugby Australia to support GRR, the competition bankrolled by mining magnate Andrew Forrest after the Western Force was controversially axed from Super Rugby.
The move came after GRR asked NZRU whether National Provincial Championship unions or Super Rugby clubs would be interested in forming partnerships with new GRR sides.
NPC players would be contracted for either the entire GRR season or on a short term deal. Super players could be brought in if returning from injury or suspension or needing game time.
How many sides will compete in the debut GRR season that kicks off in March has still not been resolved.
The Force is expected to face teams from Fiji, Samoa, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong but it is understood plans for a Hawaii-based side have stalled because it has not been sanctioned by the US Rugby Union.
GRR must decide whether to add a new eighth side or cut a club to avoid byes, but it could be a tough call to cull a team.
Japan and Fiji are guaranteed and the competition is housed in Hong Kong.
The Singapore team is the privately owned Pacific Dragons that has reportedly already signed five Otago NPC players and attack coach Ryan Martin, and the Malaysia club is backed by South African Currie Cup division one club Falcons.
Millionaire Richard Fale, the Tongan-born politician who was leading the Hawaii consortium, is now behind the Samoa-based side that is likely to include Tonga players.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/western...ng-b881058498z
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
I am so looking forward to the final announcement. It’s going to be a very exciting year for rugby in our little section of the globe.
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Oh boo hoo.
While I still support the Western Sydney, Newcastle and Adelaide ideas; the fact remains that SANZAAR have their own competitions, while we're trying to eek something out and stand on our own two feet. Keeping these two spheres separate and out of each other's hair allows for us to do that.
It's time to cut the Oedipal umbilical cord.
Last edited by chibi; 23-12-18 at 20:33.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
Another negotiation that SARU did while the RA was asleep at the wheel. You would think that SANZAAR competitions were important.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board