2019 Global Rapid Rugby season

The 2019 Global Rapid Rugby season was a showcase series for seven rugby union teams played in locations across the Asia-Pacific region. Global Rapid Rugby originally planned a full home and away tournament followed by finals, with eight teams competing in 2019.[1][2] The competition launch was postponed by a year, however, due to the short time frame following World Rugby approval in November 2018.[3] A scaled-down showcase series of fourteen matches was arranged instead.[4]

2019 Rapid Rugby Showcase
LeagueGlobal Rapid Rugby
SportRugby
Duration22 March – 9 August
Number of matches14
Number of teams7
Asia Showcase Series
WinnerWestern Force
Pacific Showcase Series
WinnerWestern Force

Teams

Seven teams played in the Rapid Rugby Showcase in 2019: [5]

Team Head coach Captain Stadium Capacity
Asia Pacific Dragons Ryan Martin Stacey Ili Queenstown Stadium 3,800
Fijian Latui Senirusi Seruvakula Mosese Voka Churchill Park 9,500
Kagifa Samoa Darryl Suasua Leon Fukofuka Pukekohe Stadium [lower-alpha 1] 12,000
Ballymore [lower-alpha 1] 18,000
South China Tigers Craig Hammond James Cunningham
Liam Slatem		 Aberdeen Stadium 9,000
Valke Malaysia JP Immelman Shane Kirkwood HBF Park 20,500
Western Force Tim Sampson Ian Prior
 [lower-alpha 2] World XV Robbie Deans Andy Ellis
Notes
  1. Due to construction being underway at Apia Park for the Pacific Games, Samoa's home matches were moved to Auckland and Brisbane.[5][6]
  2. Invitational team run by the promoter behind the Barbarians and selected from established internationals and rising players.[7]

Standings

A modified version of the standard Rugby union bonus points system was used, with bonus points awarded for:[8]

  • a team scoring 4 or more tries in a game;
  • a winning team scoring at least 3 tries more than their opponent;
  • a losing team defeated by a margin of 5 points or under.

Four points were awarded for a win and none for a loss; two points were awarded to each team for a match ending in a draw.

Global Rapid Rugby – Asian Showcase
# Team P W D L PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Western Force 4400+831956022
2 South China Tigers 4103−521221206
3 Asia Pacific Dragons 4103−311015116
Updated: 12 May 2019

Source: rapidrugby.com (archived)

Global Rapid Rugby – Pacific Showcase
# Team P W D L PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Western Force 4400+10925115021
2 Fijian Latui 4202−2117192010
3 Kagifa Samoa 4003−881426123
Updated: 21 June 2019

Source: rapidrugby.com (archived)

Showcase Series

Showcase opener
22 March Western Force 26–16 World XV HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: McGregor 15'
Lacey 29'
Deegan 41'
Brache 53'
Con: Prior (2/3) 16' 41'
Deegan (1/1) 54'
 Report[9] Try: Oakman-Hunt 7'
Finau 33' pwt
Con: Ono (1/1) 8'
 Attendance: 11,368[9]
Referee: Graham Cooper (Australia)

Asia Showcase

Asia Rd 1
29 March Western Force 45–22 South China Tigers HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: Power 5'
Dakuwaqa 9' pwt
Deegan 18'
Longbottom 28'
McGregor 40'
Fines 65'
Con: Prior (4/4) 7' 16' 31' 42'
Alatimu (0/1)
Pen: Alatimu (1/1) 61'
Cards: Dakuwaqa (YC) 12'
Bardoul (YC) 53'		 Report[10] Try: Hughes 8'
Penalty try 11'
Post 34'
Con: Hughes (1/2) 10'
Pen: Hughes (1/1) 3'
 Attendance: 7,688[10]
Referee: Aaron Pook (Australia)

Asia Rd 2
12 April Western Force 42–10 Asia Pacific Dragons HBF Park, Perth  
7.45 PM AWST (UTC+8) Try: Bardoul 10'
Tizzano 21'
Taefu 45'
Stowers 52'
Kaitu’u 69'
Davies 75'
Con: Alatimu (6/6) 11', 22', 46', 53', 70', 75'
 Report [12] Try: McKee 16'
Con: Hala (1/1) 17'
Pen: Hala (1/1) 8'
 Attendance: 8,427 [13]
Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)

Asia Rd 3
21 April South China Tigers 29–19 Asia Pacific Dragons Aberdeen Stadium, HK  
3.10 pm HKT (UTC+8) Try: De Thierry 2'
Warner 12'
Viriviri 15'
Van der Smit 29'
Con: Hughes (3/4) 3', 13', 16'
Pen: Hughes (1/1) 47'
Cards: De Thierry (YC) 26'		 Report[14] Try: Talakai 27'
Hala 65'
Rokua 70'
Con: Hala (2/3) 28', 66'
 Attendance: 1,000+ [15]
Referee: Graham Cooper (Australia)

Asia Rd 4
28 April Asia Pacific Dragons 41–26 South China Tigers Queenstown Stadium, SG  
3.10 pm SGT (UTC+8) Try: Gouws 4' Hala 12'
Ili 20' J. Koroi 23'
Penalty try 43'
Harrison 67'
Con: Hala (2/4) 5' 13'
Fosita (1/1) 68'
Pen: Fosita (1/1) 61'
Cards: Rinakama (YC) 27'
Tikoirotuma (YC) 52'		 Report[16] Try: Hrstich 6'
Penalty try 27'
Solomona 46'
Neville 70+1'
Con: Hughes (2/3) 7' 47'
 Attendance: 1,672 [17]
Referee: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

Asia Rd 5
5 May Asia Pacific Dragons 3–7 Western Force Queenstown Stadium, SG  
3.10 pm SGT (UTC+8) Pen: Fosita (1) 27'
Cards: S. Ili (YC)		 Report [19] Try: Tessmann 33'
Con: Prior (1/1) 34'
 Attendance: 1,919
Referee: Matthew Rodden (Hong Kong)

Asia Rd 6
12 May South China Tigers 16–40 Western Force Aberdeen Stadium, HK  
4.00 pm HKT (UTC+8) Try: Slatem 26'
Con: Rosslee (1/1) 27'
Pen: Rosslee (2) 18' 24'
Hughes (1) 51'
 Report[20] Try: Lacey 2' pwt
Stander (2) 33' 52'
Alatimu 39'
McGregor 57'
Kaitu'u 67'
Con: Alatimu (2) 34' 39'
Henry Taefu (1) 68'
 Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)

Pacific Showcase

Pac Rd 1
18 May Fijian Latui 38–32 Kagifa Samoa Churchill Park, Lautoka  
3.10 pm FJT (UTC+12) Try: Naugolo 9'
Samusamuvodre 13' pwt
Stewart (2) 6' 63'
Dyer 41', Tovilevu 70'
Con: Waqatabu (2/4) 65' 70'
Tikotani Malele (0/1)
Pen: Waqatabu (0/1)
Cards: Nawaqadau (YC) 30'
Stewart (YC) 30'		 Report[21] Try: McKee 4'
Lam 18', Afu (2) 33' 48'
Con: Fosita (3/4) 4' 33' 45'
Pen: Fosita (2/2) 52' 67'
 Attendance: 4,240
Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

Pac Rd 2
25 May Fijian Latui 15–27 Western Force Churchill Park, Lautoka  
3.10 pm FJT (UTC+12) Try: Lomani 5'
Voka 57'
Dolokoto 69'
Con: Waqatabu (0/1)
Vularika (0/2)
Cards: Voka (YC) 20'
Vota (YC) 59'		 Report[22] Try: Fines 23'
McGregor 30'
Kaitu’u 60'
Con: Alatimu (2/2) 24' 31'
Deegan (1/1) 61'
Pen: Alatimu (2/2) 35' 45'
 Attendance: 6,000+
Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

Pac Rd 3
31 May Western Force 63–5 Kagifa Samoa HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: Uyen 10', Bardoul 26'
Fines (2) 33' 43', Stowers 52'
Lee-Warner 56'
Davies (2) 58' 65', Ferris 62'
Con: Alatimu (4/4) 11' 27' 33' 44'
Deegan (5/5) 53' 57' 59' 63' 66'
Cards: Lee-Warner (YC) 30'		 Report Try: Hala 70+2'
Con: Fosita (0/1)
Cards: Su’a (YC) 30'		 Attendance: 12,437
Referee: Graham Cooper (Australia)

Pac Rd 4
7 June Kagifa Samoa 31–37 Fijian Latui Pukekohe Stadium, Auckland  
5.40 pm NZST (UTC+12) Try: Fukofuka 17'
Sauni 37' Makris 42'
penalty try 61'
Hala 66'
Con: Makris (2/3) 38' 44'
Hala (0/1)
Cards: Fukofuka (YC) 40'		 Report[23] Try: Tagi 12' Manu 20'
Dolokoto 27'
Malele 30'
Naulago 45'
Con: Waqatabu (3/5) 13' 21' 46'
Pen: Waqatabu (2/2) 55', 63'
Cards: Mawi (YC) 58'
Nakarawa (YC) 59'		 Attendance: 1,800
Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

Pac Rd 5
15 June Kagifa Samoa 28–44 Western Force Ballymore, Brisbane  
3.40 pm AEST (UTC+10) Try: Stowers (2) 11' 28'
Moala 41'
Mafoa 40'
Con: Hala (4/4) 13' 21' 42' 59'
Cards: Tu'ipulotu (YC) 68'		 Report [24] Try: Lee-Warner 2'
Davies 35+1' pwt
Fines (2) 48' 55' pwt
Ferris 59'
Bardoul 70+1'
Con: Alatimu (1/1) 2'
Deegan (2/3) 50' 70+1'
 Attendance: 2,000 [25]
Referee: Aaron Pook (Australia)

Pac Rd 6
21 June Western Force 45–24 Fijian Latui HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: Davies 8'
Bardoul 19', Deegan 24'
Taefu 35', Stander 45'
O'Sullivan 66', Uyen 70'
Con: Deegan (4/5) 20' 25' 35' 67'
Power (1/1) 70'
 Report [26] Try: Tikotani 28'
Tagi 32'
Stewart 37' pwt
Con: Waqatabu (1/2) 33'
Pen: Waqatabu 13'
 Attendance: 12,832 [27]
Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)

Bledisloe Showcase
9 August Western Force 74–10 Malaysia Valke HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: Fines (2) 11' 28'
McGregor (2) 37' 51'
Jooste 25' pwt
Tessmann 33'
Lee-Warner 58'
Deegan 61' pwt
Lloyd 65', Miller 70'
Con: Deegan (7/7) 12' 30' 35'
38' 52' 59' 61'
Prior (1/1) 70'
 Report [28] Try: Van Wyk 47'
Cronjé 55'
Con: Rickter (0/1) [29]
Pretorius (0/1) [30]
 Attendance: 8,537 [31]
Referee: Dru Tonks (Australia) [32]

Other matches

Media coverage

Rapid Rugby had live broadcast television coverage in 18 countries across Asia and Oceania in 2019.[33] Live streaming and video on demand services reached additional viewers within some Asia-Pacific countries, while Rapid Rugby's own website provided live streams and highlight packages to other regions worldwide.[33]

Nine of the fourteen matches of 2019 showcase series were televised.[34] Fox Sports in Australia and related companies Star Sports and Fox Sports Asia provided the live coverage.[33]

National broadcaster SBS showed all nine of these matches live on free-to-air television across Australia via its SBS Viceland channel and also streamed through SBS on Demand.[33][34] Other Rapid Rugby media partners included Kayo Sports in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand and Fiji TV.[33]

Country Broadcaster Type of service
 
ASIA
 Star Sports [lower-alpha 1] Pay television
Fox Sports Asia Pay television
 
OCEANIA
  Australia Fox Sports Pay television
Kayo Sports Subscription streaming
Video on demand
SBS Viceland Free-to-air television
SBS on Demand
sbs.com.au		 Free streaming
 New Zealand Sky Sport [lower-alpha 2] Pay television
 Fiji Fiji TV [lower-alpha 3] Free-to-air television
Local channel TBC
 Papua New Guinea Fox Sports Pay television
Various local channels TBC
 
OTHER
   All other locations rapidrugby.com Free streaming
Notes
  1. Star Sports televised some Rapid Rugby Showcase matches in 2019.
  2. Sky Sport New Zealand televised some Rapid Rugby Showcase matches in 2019.
  3. Fiji TV showed Fijian Latui games (only 3 matches televised in 2019).

References
  1. Warren, Adrian (15 November 2018). "Rapid Rugby set to start in 2019". The Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. "Sport: Sport: Rapid Rugby to provide Pacific boost". Radio New Zealand. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019.
  3. Taylor, Nick (31 January 2019). "New Global Rapid Rugby competition delayed until next year". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  4. Blennerhassett, Patrick (1 March 2019). "Global Rapid Rugby and South China Tigers coming to Hong Kong for two games in 2019". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019.
  5. "Rapid Rugby 2019 Schedule on show" (PDF) (Press release). Global Rapid Rugby. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2019.
  6. Manukia, Matt (9 April 2019). "Samoan franchise given green light for breakaway rugby tournament". One News. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  7. Taylor, Nick (9 March 2019). "Nick 'the honey badger' Cummins will return to Perth for Global Rapid Rugby showcase". The West Australian.
  8. "Points plus". Rapid Rugby. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019.
  9. "Force secure Showcase win in second half blitz". Global Rapid Rugby. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  10. "Force power their way past Tigers". Rapid Rugby. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019.
  11. "Team update". twitter.com/westernforce. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  12. "Force produce powerful performance in Perth". Rapid Rugby. 12 April 2019. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019.
  13. Taylor, Nick (13 April 2019). "Western Force too good for Asia Pacific Dragons in 42-10 win". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019.
  14. "Tigers claw their way to first win". Rapid Rugby. 21 April 2019. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019.
  15. Blennerhassett, Patrick (24 April 2019). "Can Global Rapid Rugby survive? Fan response to Hong Kong showcase will ring alarms". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019.
  16. "Dragons fire in front of home fans". Rapid Rugby. 28 April 2019. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  17. Gill, Xener (28 April 2019). "Rugby: Asia Pacific Dragons beat South China Tigers 41-26 for first Global Rapid Rugby win". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019.
  18. "Switching it up for return bout". Rapid Rugby. 26 April 2019.
  19. "Force secure Asia Showcase Series in Singapore". Rapid Rugby. 5 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019.
  20. "Force fire against dangerous Tigers". Rapid Rugby. 12 May 2019. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019.
  21. "Fiji snatch win in heart thumping thriller". Rapid Rugby. 18 May 2019. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019.
  22. "Force fire in Fiji". Rapid Rugby. 25 May 2019. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  23. "Fiji hold out determined Samoa". Rapid Rugby. 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019.
  24. "Force power on in Pacific Showcase". Global Rapid Rugby. 15 June 2019. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019.
  25. Smith, Wayne (15 June 2019). "Western Force star as Global Rapid Rugby makes east coast debut". The Australian.
  26. "Force claim Pacific crown". Rapid Rugby. 21 June 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019.
  27. "Western Force take Global Rapid Rugby Pacific showcase cup". The West Australian. 23 June 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019.
  28. "Forceful finish a fitting finale". Rapid Rugby. 9 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019.
  29. "TRY Malaysia Valke are on the board". twitter.com/westernforce. 9 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  30. "TRY The Valke are finding their feet". twitter.com/westernforce. 9 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  31. "GRR: Western Force d Malaysia Valke". Austadiums. 9 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019.
  32. "Referees to 11 August 2019". 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019.
  33. "On the air, everywhere!". Rapid Rugby. 11 April 2019. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019.
  34. "Fixtures". Rapid Rugby. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
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