Fijian Latui gears up for Global Rapid Rugby
The Fijian Latui are gearing up for an exciting year with the Global Rapid Rugby to kick start on March 14 in Suva.
After participating in the Pacific Showcase Series last year, Fiji Rugby Chief Executive John O’Connor said the Latui are looking forward to the amazing 2020 season.
“Fiji Rugby are looking forward to participating in the new format Global Rapid Rugby, providing a further opportunity for our local based players to experience the professional rugby environment.”
“The Fijian Latui wider training squad has been working hard in the off-season readying themselves for the campaign and I believe they will be highly competitive in the competition.” said O’Connor.
Global Rapid Rugby today unveiled the exciting China Lions as the sixth and final team in its inaugural home-and-away competition.
The China Rugby Football Association and New Zealand’s domestic championship winning Bay Of Plenty have formed a joint venture that will play three home games in Shanghai and two in Rotorua, NZ.
The Lions are the sixth team to be announced as part of Global Rapid Rugby Season One in 2020, joining Australia’s Western Force, the Malaysia Valke representing both Malaysia and South Africa, Fijian Latui, Manuma Samoa and the Hong Kong based South China Tigers.
Fast paced and explosive by name and nature, Season One includes a AU$1 million total prize pool, 30 games over 10 rounds and a one-off Grand Final.
Global Rapid Rugby CEO, Mark Evans, described the inclusion of China as ‘crucial’ to the long-term development of rugby throughout Asia.
“Our expansion into China is an enormous result for every aspect of the great game of rugby. We believe that rugby has the potential to become an extremely popular and successful sport throughout the nation,” Evans said.
“The combination of explosive speed, body contact and delicate skill with both hand and foot makes rugby a game with broad appeal. Add the on-going energy, entertainment and family fun created by Rapid Rugby and I am confident crowds in Shanghai will love supporting their home team, the Lions.
“We thank the China Rugby Football Association for its assistance and belief in what we are trying to achieve.
“The ongoing support of New Zealand Rugby has always been greatly appreciated. It is tremendously exciting to be involved with a progressive operation like Bay of Plenty Rugby Union,” Evans said.