Originally Posted by
.X.
I think that the issue at hand is the perception of the competition value that Global Rapid Rugby brings to the table. Those experts on the East Coast, wearing their Green-colored glasses. And those on the West Coast with the Blue-colored glasses. I appear to be stuck in the middle with my rose-colored glasses.
At the start of the FoxSports broadcast of the Brumbies v Reds game on the weekend. Super Rugby was referred to as the Best Provincial Rugby Competition in the world. Personally I don't think that statement is true. And hasn't been true in about 8-10 years. For the record - It was Greg Clark making the outlandish statement.
I don't believe that Greg Clark is influential in the overall scheme of Australian Rugby. But, that is part of the attitude that we are dealing with. Any Competition that isn't Super Rugby is considered a lesser competition. So, if Global Rapid Rugby is considered a lesser competition. Then it stands to reason that those participating in GRR are of a lower standard compared to the players from Super Rugby.
GRR features the Western Force along with teams from Fiji, Samoa, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and China. A quick look on the World Rugby Rankings page has Fiji ranked 11, Samoa 15, Hong Kong 21, Malaysia 49 and China 80. And it's fair to say that the players making up those squads are not that Nations best and brightest. Those players are plying their trade in Europe or Japan or North America. Competing in the GRR will improve the standards of Rugby and will in all likelihood improve the standard and ranking of the participating nations. But that will take time.
In the meantime, I believe that it is fair to say that Global Rapid Rugby and the Western Force's participation in that competition is going to be seen as less than Super Rugby. But what it does do - is put Western Australian born and or bred Rugby Union players in the spotlight to be seen by the recruiting staff of the East Coast Super Teams. It is a tribute to the Future Force Foundation and the Western Force as an organisation that 6 Western Force players have signed on to play Super Rugby and hopefully, one day, make the Wallabies squad.
Is the loss of 6 players each year sustainable? Honestly, I think it is. As Global Rapid Rugby grows in popularity and the love of the Western Force increases. So to will the local player base to Club Rugby in Perth. Two cliches to remember; "Nature abhors a vacuum" and "Cream rises to the top" 6 Players moving east creates the opportunity for 6 new players to move into those gaps left in the Force Squad.
Andrew Forrest, Matt Hodgson, and Mindaroo foundation rescued the Western Force and developed Global Rapid Rugby to ensure that Western Australian Rugby players had a path for advancement to the highest level of Rugby Union in this country. I see this is a great first step.