rapid rugby

Global Rapid Rugby suspended

Six teams from Australia, Asia and the Pacific kicked off the inaugural home and away season on Saturday with the Fijian Latui and Manumā Samoa slumping to first round defeats in Suva and Perth.

However, Rapid Rugby chief executive Mark Evans said new travel restrictions introduced by the New Zealand and Australian governments, which require all overseas arrivals to self-isolate for 14 days, had made the continuation of the competition impossible.

Rapid Rugby an opportunity for Pacific players

Fijian Latui coach Senirusi Seruvakula said the team had spent the last three weeks in camp focused on fitness, defence and mastering the competition's modified rules, which included 35 minutes halves, no gain in ground when kicking directly to touch and nine point "power tries" for attacks launched from within a team's own 22.

"Last week we were working on the rules for the GRR and everyone's understanding, to understand the rules very well and now we are excited for our first game against China [Lions] on Saturday."

Global Rapid Rugby confident despite coronavirus curveball

The Fijian Latui are scheduled to host their season-opener match in Suva against the Shanghai-based China Lions on 14 March but the Fiji government has banned non-citizens who have been in mainland China within 14 days of their intended travel.

Rapid Rugby CEO Mark Evans is positive games will go ahead, with alternative plans expected to be announced this week.