Masivesi Dakuwaqa in action for the Force.
Camera IconMasivesi Dakuwaqa in action for the Force. Credit: Getty Images

Global Rapid Rugby off and running as Western Force battle sides from around Asia

Nick TaylorPerthNow

Global Rapid Rugby is off and running. The new competition with radical new laws and new teams has been given the green light by the sport's governing body World Rugby.

In the biggest shake-up to the game since it went professional 23 years ago the Western Force will now battle sides from Japan, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia for a $1 million prize next year.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest, who is bankrolling the competition, revealed this morning that it will be "housed" in Hong Kong after WR conditionally sanctioned the competition subject to approval from participating unions.

Governing bodies that oversee six of the teams have already signed letters of support.

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Discussions are continuing with the Japan Rugby Football Union for a leading club to join while talks are continuing with a private consortium to form an eighth team, expected to come from Hawaii.

The Malaysian side playing out of Kuala Lumpur will have South African backing while the Hawaii team would have a strong Tonga flavour.

There will be a number of law changes aimed at making the game faster:

*A reduction in playing time of five minutes each half to 35 minutes.

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*No direct kicks for touch from inside the 22 metres to encourage ball in hand counter-attack

*A power try - scored from a move starting in the 22 metres- will be worth nine points with no conversion.

*Killing the ball for a penalty will not end the power try move

*Penalties reduced from three to two points

*Defence a further five metres back at the scrum

*A side retains possession if the ball is kicked from their own 40m and bounces out in the opposition 22 metres

*No 'mark" call in the 22 metres

*Ten Rolling substitutions

*Reduced time for kick-offs and penalties

*Red-carded players can be replaced after 15 minutes

*An orange card system for match review officials

*A bonus points system for scoring will be in place.

With 2019 being a World Cup year GRR will not be in full blown mode but up to 20 marquee players will be contracted and drafted to teams to ensure a level playing field.

The players have not been revealed but could include former Force favourite Matt Giteau, former All Black star Dan Carter, ex-Springbok No.8 Duane Vermeulen and Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon.

Forrest said he still wanted a Western Sydney side included but a lack of political foresight, not by RA but by others on the east coast, had thrown out roadblocks.

He said a millionaire entrepreneur was still prepared to invest in the side.

Forrest also said New Zealand was ”seriously interested” in entering a team in the competition that will be further expanded to 12 teams within five years.

Forrest said GRR will be governed by Hong Kong Rugby Union to avoid stultifying politics and bureaucracy in Australia that was like walking through honey.

He said GRR was an Asia Pacific competition not an Australasian one.

Forrest described said WR's decision as an historic moment for sport.

"It has not been a simple road,” he said.

“I’d like to thank everyone that has been bold and brave enough to support this brand-new competition.

"Like all sports, rugby needs to evolve. The modern sports public is spoilt for choice and demands easily digestible, fast-paced action.”