0
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/down_dis.png)
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
I agree with your sentiment there. But I also tend to think that if they were to look to professionalise the NRC then why not go with the GRR instead? Add in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane while cutting out the two country sides and focusing on re-driecting players that would form those squads to fill a theoretical Adelaide roster. It would better fit with GRR than a Newcastle team. Not because I don't applaud what Newcastle are trying to do. But I think that what I've suggested would fit better with where GRR needs to be looking. Larger, more regionally relevant cities. Looking beyond Fiji and Samoa look at where teams are placed and where interest in future bases has come up. Perth, Kong Kong and Shanghai are the bases for teams. All regionally relevant. Apparently Hyundai are keen to transition their squad to professionalism and if the Japanese Professional League gets up GRR is their only realistic option. Newcastle doesn't really fit into that. THere's a reason BoP has partnered with China as Tauranga isn't exactly notable.
For mine, because I think most folk hope the GRR might become something better than just a feeder competition. If so and it reaches the level of a SR, then the gap back to club rugby will be similarly too big and it will need an NRC to produce players into it. So I would see the NRC as more the highest level where the whole country plays in one domestic competition, but feeding players up into either SR or GRR. And it needs to be professional, not at the level of SR or GRR, but like the M10C or Currie Cup.
Which is not to say that GRR couldn't be looking at Adelaide. If they were going to do that though, I think they'd need to start at the beginning - over maybe three years, create a Future Falcons for a largish group to intensively raise the level, give them two years as an NRC team with additional trial matches against GRR sides, then kick them off as a GRR team. Like I say, a bit of a commitment in time and money, but that is what happens if you give everyone else a head start. Once GRR is going gangbusters the exercise will only be that much harder and more expensive; almost by definition, the gap they need to make up is unlikely to ever be as small as it is now.
As for Newcastle, I do think it could be a worthwhile addition. But like Western Sydney, it would also come with the major disadvantage of NSWRU. Personally, I don't think it is worth the downside until GRR is really well established and secure, by which time it might be a big exercise to get them up. I definitely think they should have an NRC team though, although under whose auspices is hard to say. Can't see it happening anytime soon (if ever) with RA or NSWRU though.
GRR will be broadcast on FBC (FTA television in Fiji):
FBC secure rights for EURO 2020, NRL, GRR and Suva Zone 1
Akuila Cama
February 20, 2020 4:28 pm
... The national broadcaster has secured the rights for the EURO 2020, NRL and also the Fury Wilder fight plus the Global Rapid Rugby which will feature the Fijian Latui.
FBC Manager TV Operations Vinal Raj says the viewers are the winners at the end of the day.
“FBC is a service provider obviously so I think we are providing the service to the whole country by giving them all these different sports that we’ll be getting on the channel and it’s all for free”.
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/sports/fb...d-suva-zone-1/
Interesting that EURO 2020 are on BBC and ITV free to air in the UK. And NRL is on Channel 9 in Australia. So if FBC in Fiji is doing them and GRR on free-to-air as well, can we make the connection that GRR will also be on free-to-air in Australia, NZ, HK, and other countries as well?
I don't think you can assume anything JSJ. Each country will likely be a seperate broadcast agreement, there will only be a joint agreement if a single provider has rights to broadcast in all regions. That essentiallyeans it goes fta in the places that will pick it up, not so much the places grr wants it to. That doesn't discount the possibility that grr will sign non-exclusive agreements with a pay wall like fox sports in the hope of picking up fta in the future.
C'mon the![]()
![]()
Global Rapid Rugby won't travel to China
No games will be played in China during the first season of Andrew Forrest's Global Rapid Rugby due to the coronavirus.
Last month, the China Lions were announced as the sixth and final team for the inaugural season of the $1 million competition.
But the outbreak of the coronavirus meant organisers have been forced to find an alternative home ground for the Lions this year.
The Lions - a team jointly supported by the China Rugby Football Association and New Zealand domestic outfit Bay of Plenty - will now play three home games in NZ and two in Australia.
They were originally scheduled to play three games in Shanghai and two in Rotorua.
"The health and welfare of the players, the coaches and our fans has been our number one concern and we have followed the advice of all relevant authorities, including the World Health Organisation, every step of the way," Global Rapid Rugby chief executive Mark Evans said.
The inaugural season will begin on March 14 with Fijian Latui hosting the China Lions under lights in Suva.
That will be followed by a double header at Perth's HBF Park, where Manuma Samoa will play Hong Kong's South China Tigers, before the Western Force take on the Malaysia Valke.
https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/globa...a-3df62f151436
so does our Force memberships allow entry to the Samoa vs Hong Kong game?
I'm assuming yes
C'mon the![]()
![]()
So on the 14th of March - does one ticket get you in for both matches?
Exile
Sydney
"Pain heels. Chicks dig scars and Glory lasts forever." Shane Falco
I'm asking memberships in a minute
C'mon the![]()
![]()
The word from memberships is yes, your ticket is valid for both (hardly surprising, but good to check)
Members will be advised once they've finalised the advice!
C'mon the![]()
![]()
Updated Schedule
China Lions to play 2 games in Adelaide (vs Force and Valke)
Fiji Latui and SCT Round 2 will be at Albert Park Fiji in Suva
Round 6 SCT vs Latui will be at the National Stadium in HK
![]()