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New rules, power tries and the Honey Badger's return - but what's Global Rapid Rugby really like?

Nick Cummins playing for World XV. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The re-branded Global Rapid Rugby has lived up to its promise of frenetic action, with Western Force defeating the World XV 26-16 in a pulsating opening match of the showcase series at HBF Park.

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New rules designed to speed up the game helped fuel an energetic contest with the Force running in four tries to two against the invitational side led by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

The on-field pace mirrored the off-field entertainment. In a familiar spectacle to last year’s formerly named World Series Rugby, the lively crowd of 11,368 were fired up after the pre-game fireworks and dance show.

The World XV, boasting more than 300 Test caps, had the early running with left flanker Michael Oakman-Hunt silencing the crowd and scoring a try in the seventh minute.

But the Force countered shortly after through a try from full back Jack McGregor.

After a stalemate, Brad Lacey put the Force back in front just before half-time but a power try worth nine points from Inga Finau moments later gave the visitors the momentum at the long break.

The power try, a new rule, was rewarded when a play began inside a team’s defensive 22 metre line.

World XV’s Nick Cummins, the former Wallaby winger and reality television star, came on after half-time and received fanfare every time he touched the ball against his old team.

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Nick Cummins , nicknamed the Honey Badger, is swamped by fans after the match. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

He showcased his brute strength on several occasions but the Force had the answers with the only two tries of the second half.

Force coach Tim Sampson was satisfied with his team’s winning start.

“Our composure and patience when we got into good attacking positions was pleasing,” Sampson said.

“First game can always be tricky but I think we controlled things well and are happy about tonight.”

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The Force were axed from Super Rugby at the end of 2017 prompting billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest to pour in millions to revive the franchise.

The five-team tournament this year continues a push into Asia with the inclusion of teams from Singapore and Malaysia.

The earlier announcement that Japanese club Sunwolves will be culled from Super Rugby after the 2020 season added intrigue over the future makeup of Global Rapid Rugby.

The competition is expected to expand to at least eight teams in its first full season next year.

Continue reading below…
You may also like: Raelene Castle on Sunwolves axing

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Deans said the new rules would aid the competition. “It’s a good element for the game for players to look to play positively,” he said.

“Once the crowds understand (the new rules), they will learn to love it.”

The Force play South China Tigers at home next Friday night.

AAP

Watch: Brumbies coach Dan McKellar speaks ahead of Reds Super Rugby clash

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J
JW 47 minutes ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Sorta “rent a comment” kinda guy really.

Haha yep another great way to say it.


Look I actually agree with the guy, he might have heard something said and seeing as he loves to make a spotlight, and be in it, he decided/mistakenly came up with this headline grabber?


Despite what I already said was the actual idea for the topic he mistook, I think, at this particular moment, there are plenty of situations people should be sticking. I’m OK with the Dmac situation if its just until Stevenson and Etene start sharing the Fullback job. I’m OK with Barrett being left at 15 and Perofeta being given the job to displace Plummer (easy task for him imo) as the first five (with the ABs in mind). But pretty much all the others, like your suggestions, they are far off optimal understanding of their core positions so should be trying to specialize for a couple of years. Think Ioane and Proctor, one or the other, not trying to get both on. Barrett or ALB/Higgins/Lam, Sititi and Sotutu at 8, Finau/Haig/all the 6’s injured or gone etc.


From Razors perspective, of a coach on the limit of what can be achieved, he wants to a balance of core and niche. Having players able to cover situations when your down a man, through card or because he’s lying on the ground, you want your players to be adaptable. Does this mean he’d like them to learn that adaptable by playing other positions fully, like for a whole game in another position, or just as in terms of their skills sets. Because if you apply what I suggested Razor was referring to as “four” positions, wingers can be very useful in other roles like a carrying 12, or a pilferring 7, let alone benefit from a tight relationship and understand of what a 13 is trying to do for them.


This concept applies to pretty much every single position. Take your(my) Lock example, theyre now lifters, they can (size and shape allowing) ruck and maul like the front row, run like a back and offload like a basketballer. Many recent young locks of of this rangy razzle dazle variety.


Personally I really like and think that adding versatility is inevitable with the amount of training and really early highperformance skill/athleticism work they get through. Max Hicks looked interesting as a 2m beanpole playing openside in France, PSDT showing the frame is certainly viable (as apposed to the typical 6 playing lock), opensides really need a running/carry side to their play these days and could easily play in midfield. Halfbacks are starting to play standing up straight rather than low to the ground, how cool would it have been if the Hurricanes had decided to retain Preston by switching Roigard to 10 for this season? Like Leroy Carter they’re already good wingers with the right pace. I do really see the back three players staying were they are for the most part though, unless theyre special players like Dmac.

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