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Global Rapid Rugby could be over one round into season
The Western Force have kicked off Global Rapid Rugby in grand style with a 51-14 win over the Malaysia Valke, but Andrew Forrest’s new competition looks set to be brought to a crashing halt due to the coronavirus.
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Only about 2000 fans attended Saturday night’s match at Perth’s HBF Park, with many thousands more scared away by the rising spread of the coronavirus.
The decision of the New Zealand government to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for anybody travelling to the country is a big blow to Global Rapid Rugby (GRR).
Those restrictions apply to all countries except for Pacific nations.
The China Lions are based in the Bay of Plenty in NZ’s North Island, and were due to play three of their home games there.
But with NZ’s tough travel restrictions now in place and other countries following suit, the first season of GRR is now in grave doubt.
The Force at least got to play one game in Forrest’s new $1 million competition.
And they were hot from the outset, piling on seven tries to two to seal an easy win against a Malaysia Valke side made up of South African players.
The Force were slick with their ball movement and took every chance to run, making the most of the law changes that promote attacking rugby.
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Winger Brad Lacey scored two of the team’s five first-half tries, with centre Henry Taefu notching a nine-point power try for a play that started deep in Force territory.
Western Force coach Tim Sampson thanked the Sea of Blue fans who decided to turn up to support the side.
How good was this try from the Force's Johan Bardoul?
Watch the game LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/4GmVcBV9h4#RapidRugby pic.twitter.com/DTKeIzRifc
— Global Rapid Rugby (@rapidrugby) March 14, 2020
“They’re so special to us,” Sampson said.
“We weren’t sure what to expect tonight after the last 48 hours about (potentially) playing games behind closed doors. So to see them turn up tonight, it’s pretty remarkable and we’re forever thankful.”
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In other round one action, The South China Tigers posted an emphatic 52-27 victory over Manuma Samoa in Perth.
And the China Lions scor ed a hard-fought 29-22 away victory over the Fijian Latui at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
– AAP
WATCH: Leon MacDonald joins the Breakdown to give an inside look at the Blues camp in 2020. This and all the big rugby news on your latest episode of the Breakdown.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments