Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Indo-Pacific comp going ahead regardless of Rugby Australia's approval

By Online Editors
Western Force's billionaire backer Andrew Forrest. Photo / Getty Images

Billionaire Andrew Forrest is pushing ahead with plans for the Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship regardless of Rugby Australia’s approval. The six-team League will go ahead one way or another in 2019.

ADVERTISEMENT

Negotiations with Rugby Australia have been ongoing for months, with Wallabies eligibility a key negotiation point for IPRC players.

“We’ll either get Rugby Australia’s approval, or we won’t. But either way we’re going to roll, and we’ll be playing internationally,” Forrest said.

“This is a tournament that is waiting to happen, and will be fantastic for Australia. We’ve had something like 250 enquiries from elite players around the world.

“We’ve had endorsement from Rugby Asia. We know that World Rugby is completely on side. I think we get closer every day [with getting Rugby Australia’s tick].

“I think if you have a legitimate love for the game and a legitimate interest in what’s best for the players, you’ll back the new tournament.”

For all the looming financial issues Rugby Australia has, Forrest could be a saviour for the professional game in Australia.

ADVERTISEMENT

He has shown a keen interest in grassroots development, backing it up with tangible investment in a Western Australian junior rugby program called RugbyRoos.

“Rugby starts at the grass roots, and finishes with elite. Not the other way around,” Forrest said.

“Rugby has been struggling a bit in the eastern states at a community level. The RugbyRoos is a great way to build the community spirit through rugby in the eastern states.

“RugbyRoos is a long-term vision.”

All future elite rugby players contracted to play in WA will devote 350 hours of their personal time each year to community programs like RugbyRoos.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

Forrest has already resurrected the Future Force Foundation, and he’s committed funds to women’s rugby as well.

Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle says the possibility remains for the Western Force to return to Super Rugby in 2021 after the current broadcast deal expires however Forrest wants to see the Force back in action before then in his IPRC competition.

 

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 57 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Dean Richards set for return to rugby management Dean Richards set for return to rugby management
Search