Global Rapid Rugby

Global Rapid Rugby halted by Covid-19

The Fijian Latui and Manumā Samoa were among six teams from Australia, Asia and the Pacific competing in the 2020 campaign, which was initially suspended after the opening round of matches on 14 March.

Rapid Rugby CEO Mark Evans said the long-term travel restrictions in place as part of the worldwide fight against Covid-19 gave organisers no choice but to abandon the remaining nine rounds of the regular season and the grand final.

The inaugural Global Rapid Rugby season arrives this weekend

Six teams will compete for $1 million in prize money in a competition that features a number of rule changes that promote faster, attacking rugby.

Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest put his money where his mouth was when the Force were axed from Super Rugby in 2017, pumping millions of dollars to set up GRR.

The Force played a series of exhibition games in 2018, which was followed by a Showcase Series last year.

But 2020 is the official launch of GRR, with competition points and a grand final berth now on the line.

Pacific players in limbo after Global Rapid Rugby cancels debut season

The brainchild of billionaire Western Force owner Andrew Forrest, eight teams from Australia, Asia and the Pacific Islands were originally on board to contest a four-month season in 2019, including entries representing Fiji and Samoa.

Pacific Rugby Players CEO Aayden Clarke said that number had dropped to six, after two teams pulled out.

He was in contact with Global Rapid Rugby officials only a few days ago, to discuss player welfare issues for the impending campaign, but said yesterday it was revealed the competition would not go ahead at all.