2019 Global Rapid Rugby season

Sports season
2019 Rapid Rugby Showcase
LeagueGlobal Rapid Rugby
SportRugby
Duration22 March – 9 August
Number of matches14
Number of teams7
Asia Showcase Series
WinnerWestern Force
Pacific Showcase Series
WinnerWestern Force
Seasons

The 2019 Global Rapid Rugby season was a showcase series for seven rugby union teams played in locations across the Asia-Pacific region. Global Rapid Rugby originally planned a full home and away tournament followed by finals, with eight teams competing in 2019.[1][2] The competition launch was postponed by a year, however, due to the short time frame following World Rugby approval in November 2018.[3] A scaled-down showcase series of fourteen matches was arranged instead.[4]

Teams

Seven teams played in the Rapid Rugby Showcase in 2019: [5]

Team Head coach Captain Stadium Capacity
Singapore Asia Pacific Dragons Ryan Martin Stacey Ili Queenstown Stadium 3,800
Fiji Fijian Latui Senirusi Seruvakula Mosese Voka Churchill Park 9,500
Samoa Kagifa Samoa Darryl Suasua Leon Fukofuka Pukekohe Stadium [a] 12,000
Ballymore [a] 18,000
Hong Kong South China Tigers Craig Hammond James Cunningham
Liam Slatem 		Aberdeen Stadium 9,000
Malaysia Valke Malaysia JP Immelman Shane Kirkwood HBF Park 20,500
Australia Western Force Tim Sampson Ian Prior
 [b] World XV Robbie Deans Andy Ellis
Notes
  1. ^ a b Due to construction being underway at Apia Park for the Pacific Games, Samoa's home matches were moved to Auckland and Brisbane.[5][6]
  2. ^ Invitational team run by the promoter behind the Barbarians and selected from established internationals and rising players.[7]

Standings

A modified version of the standard Rugby union bonus points system was used, with bonus points awarded for:[8]

  • a team scoring 4 or more tries in a game;
  • a winning team scoring at least 3 tries more than their opponent;
  • a losing team defeated by a margin of 5 points or under.

Four points were awarded for a win and none for a loss; two points were awarded to each team for a match ending in a draw.

Global Rapid Rugby – Asian Showcase
# Team P W D L PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Australia Western Force 4 4 0 0 +83 19 5 6 0 22
2 Hong Kong South China Tigers 4 1 0 3 −52 12 21 2 0 6
3 Singapore Asia Pacific Dragons 4 1 0 3 −31 10 15 1 1 6
Updated: 12 May 2019
Source: rapidrugby.com (archived)
Global Rapid Rugby – Pacific Showcase
# Team P W D L PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Australia Western Force 4 4 0 0 +109 25 11 5 0 21
2 Fiji Fijian Latui 4 2 0 2 −21 17 19 2 0 10
3 Samoa Kagifa Samoa 4 0 0 4 −88 14 26 1 2 3
Updated: 21 June 2019
Source: rapidrugby.com (archived)

Showcase Series

Showcase opener

22 March Western Force 26–16 World XV HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: McGregor 15'
Lacey 29'
Deegan 41'
Brache 53'
Con: Prior (2/3) 16' 41'
Deegan (1/1) 54' 		Report[9] Try: Oakman-Hunt 7'
Finau 33' pwt
Con: Ono (1/1) 8' 		Attendance: 11,368[9]
Referee: Graham Cooper (Australia)
Team details
FB 15 Australia Jack McGregor
WG 14 Australia Clay Uyen
OC 13 United States Marcel Brache+
IC 12 Samoa Henry Taefu+
WG 11 Australia Brad Lacey
FH 10 Australia Andrew Deegan
SH 9 Australia Ian Prior (c)
N8 8 South Africa Brynard Stander
OF 7 Australia Chris Alcock
BF 6 Samoa Henry Stowers
LK 5 New Zealand Jeremy Thrush+
LK 4 New Zealand Johan Bardoul
TP 3 Australia Kieran Longbottom
HK 2 Australia Feleti Kaitu'u
LP 1 Australia Cameron Orr
Replacements:
HK 16 Australia Andrew Ready
LP 17 Australia Harrison Lloyd
TP 18 South Africa Chris Heiberg
FL 19 Australia Leon Power
FL 20 Australia Tevin Ferris
SH 21 Australia Issak Fines
CE 22 Samoa AJ Alatimu
OB 23 Australia Nick Jooste
OB 24 Fiji Masivesi Dakuwaqa
Coach:
Australia Tim Sampson
FB 15 South Africa Gio Aplon+
WG 14 New Zealand Jamie Spowart
OC 13 Australia Dylan Riley
IC 12 New Zealand Inga Finau
WG 11 Australia Digby Ioane+
FH 10 Japan Kosei Ono+
SH 9 New Zealand Andy Ellis+ (c)
N8 8 Argentina Leonardo Senatore+
OF 7 New Zealand Hugh Renton
BF 6 Australia Michael Oakman-Hunt
LK 5 New Zealand Hamish Dalzell
LK 4 Australia Jack Cornelsen
TP 3 Japan Shohei Hirano
HK 2 New Zealand Greg Pleasants-Tate
LP 1 Australia Tom Moloney
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Corey Flynn+
LP 17 New Zealand Wyatt Crockett+
TP 18 New Zealand Chris King
FL 19 New Zealand Mike Curry
FL 20 Japan Shota Fukui
SH 21 Tonga Leon Fukofuka+
CE 22 Australia Nick Cummins+
OB 23 Japan Yoshikazu Fujita+
OB 24 Japan Kazuki Ishida
Coach:
New Zealand Robbie Deans+
Notes:
 + denotes internationally capped

Asia Showcase

Asia Rd 1

29 March Western Force 45–22 South China Tigers HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: Power 5'
Dakuwaqa 9' pwt
Deegan 18'
Longbottom 28'
McGregor 40'
Fines 65'
Con: Prior (4/4) 7' 16' 31' 42'
Alatimu (0/1)
Pen: Alatimu (1/1) 61'
Cards: Dakuwaqa (YC) 12'
Bardoul (YC) 53' 		Report[10] Try: Hughes 8'
Penalty try 11'
Post 34'
Con: Hughes (1/2) 10'
Pen: Hughes (1/1) 3' 		Attendance: 7,688[10]
Referee: Aaron Pook (Australia)
Team details
FB 15 Australia Jack McGregor
WG 14 Fiji Masivesi Dakuwaqa
OC 13 Samoa Henry Taefu*
IC 12 Samoa Rodney Iona*
WG 11 Australia Clay Uyen [11]
FH 10 Australia Andrew Deegan
SH 9 Australia Ian Prior (c)
N8 8 South Africa Brynard Stander
OF 7 Australia Chris Alcock
BF 6 Samoa Henry Stowers
LK 5 New Zealand Jeremy Thrush*
LK 4 Australia Leon Power
TP 3 Australia Kieran Longbottom
HK 2 Australia Andrew Ready
LP 1 Australia Harrison Lloyd
Replacements:
HK 16 Australia Feleti Kaitu'u
LP 17 South Africa Chris Heiberg [11]
TP 18 Australia Tom Sheminant
FL 19 New Zealand Johan Bardoul
FL 20 Australia Tevin Ferris
SH 21 Australia Issak Fines
CE 22 Samoa AJ Alatimu*
OB 23 United States Marcel Brache*[11]
Coach:
Australia Tim Sampson
FB 15 New Zealand Nathan De Theirry
WG 14 England Tom Varndell*
OC 13 Hong Kong Lewis Warner*
IC 12 Hong Kong Matthew Rosslee*
WG 11 China Ma Chong*
FH 10 England Glyn Hughes
SH 9 Hong Kong Bryn Phillips*
N8 8 Hong Kong Joshua Hrstich*
OF 7 Hong Kong Josh Dowsing
BF 6 Hong Kong James Cunningham* (c)
LK 5 Ireland Callum McCullough
LK 4 Hong Kong Fin Field*
TP 3 Hong Kong Grant Kemp*
HK 2 Hong Kong Alexander Post*
LP 1 Hong Kong Tau Koloamatangi
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Mitch Andrews
LP 17 Hong Kong Callum McFeat Smith*
TP 18 Hong Kong Jack Parfitt*
FL 19 Hong Kong Michael Parfitt*
FL 20 Wales James Sawyer
SH 21 South Africa Ruan du Plooy
CE 22 Australia Tom Hill
OB 23 Fiji Samisoni Viriviri*
Coach:
New Zealand Craig Hammond
Notes:
 * denotes internationally capped

Asia Rd 2

12 April Western Force 42–10 Asia Pacific Dragons HBF Park, Perth  
7.45 PM AWST (UTC+8) Try: Bardoul 10'
Tizzano 21'
Taefu 45'
Stowers 52'
Kaitu'u 69'
Davies 75'
Con: Alatimu (6/6) 11', 22', 46', 53', 70', 75' 		Report [13] Try: McKee 16'
Con: Hala (1/1) 17'
Pen: Hala (1/1) 8' 		Attendance: 8,427 [12]
Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)
Team details
FB 15 Australia Nick Jooste
WG 14 Australia Clay Uyen
OC 13 United States Marcel Brache*
IC 12 Samoa Henry Taefu*
WG 11 Australia Brad Lacey
FH 10 Samoa AJ Alatimu*
SH 9 Australia Issak Fines
N8 8 South Africa Brynard Stander
OF 7 Australia Carlo Tizzano
BF 6 Samoa Henry Stowers
LK 5 Australia Leon Power
LK 4 New Zealand Jeremy Thrush* (c)
TP 3 Australia Kieran Longbottom
HK 2 Australia Heath Tessmann
LP 1 Australia Harrison Lloyd
Replacements:
HK 16 Australia Feleti Kaitu'u
LP 17 South Africa Chris Heiberg
TP 18 Australia Tom Sheminant
FL 19 New Zealand Johan Bardoul
FL 20 Australia Tevin Ferris
SH 21 Australia Michael McDonald
CE 22 Australia Jack McGregor
OB 23 Australia Rod Davies*
Coach:
Australia Tim Sampson
FB 15 Australia Junior Laloifi
WG 14 Fiji Asaeli Tikoirotuma*
OC 13 New Zealand Stacy Ili (c)
IC 12 Tonga Latiume Fosita*
WG 11 New Zealand Mitchell Scott
FH 10 Tonga Kali Hala*
SH 9 New Zealand Kurt Hammer
N8 8 Fiji Naulia Dawai*
OF 7 Tonga Nili Latu*
BF 6 New Zealand Mike McKee
LK 5 New Zealand Joketani Koroi
LK 4 South Africa Louis Conradie
TP 3 Fiji Ropate Rinakama*
HK 2 New Zealand Sekonaia Pole
LP 1 Tonga Latu Talakai*
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Michael Lea
LP 17 Fiji Taniela Koroi*
TP 18 New Zealand Ha'amea Ahio
FL 19 Tonga Irwin Finau
FL 20 Singapore Declan Martens*
SH 21 Tonga Leon Fukofuka*
OB 22 Fiji Sireli Bobo*
OB 23 New Zealand Zac Harrison-Jones
Coach:
New Zealand Ryan Martin
Notes:
 * denotes internationally capped

Asia Rd 3

21 April South China Tigers 29–19 Asia Pacific Dragons Aberdeen Stadium, HK  
3.10 pm HKT (UTC+8) Try: De Thierry 2'
Warner 12'
Viriviri 15'
Van der Smit 29'
Con: Hughes (3/4) 3', 13', 16'
Pen: Hughes (1/1) 47'
Cards: De Thierry (YC) 26' 		Report[15] Try: Talakai 27'
Hala 65'
Rokua 70'
Con: Hala (2/3) 28', 66' 		Attendance: 1,000+ [14]
Referee: Graham Cooper (Australia)
Team details
FB 15 New Zealand Nathan De Theirry
WG 14 Fiji Samisoni Viriviri*
OC 13 Hong Kong Lewis Warner*
IC 12 Hong Kong Matthew Rosslee*
WG 11 England Tom Varndell*
FH 10 England Glyn Hughes
SH 9 Hong Kong Liam Slatem* (c)
N8 8 Namibia Luke van der Smit
OF 7 Hong Kong Josh Dowsing*
BF 6 Wales James Sawyer
LK 5 Hong Kong Craig Lodge*
LK 4 Hong Kong Fin Field*
TP 3 Hong Kong Tau Koloamatangi*
HK 2 Hong Kong Alexander Post*
LP 1 Hong Kong Ben Higgins*
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Mitch Andrews
LP 17 Hong Kong Adam Fullgrabe*
TP 18 Hong Kong Grant Kemp*
FL 19 Hong Kong Kyle Sullivan*
FL 20 Hong Kong James Cunningham*
SH 21 Hong Kong Jamie Lauder*
CE 22 Australia Tom Hill
OB 23 China Ma Chong*
Coach:
New Zealand Craig Hammond
FB 15 Fiji Asaeli Tikoirotuma*
WG 14 Fiji Sireli Bobo*
OC 13 New Zealand Stacy Ili (c)
IC 12 Tonga Latiume Fosita*
WG 11 New Zealand Mitchell Scott
FH 10 Tonga Kali Hala*
SH 9 Tonga Leon Fukofuka*
N8 8 Tonga Nili Latu*
OF 7 Tonga Fotu Lokotui*
BF 6 Fiji Naulia Dawai*
LK 5 New Zealand Joketani Koroi
LK 4 South Africa Louis Conradie
TP 3 Fiji Ropate Rinakama*
HK 2 New Zealand Michael Lea
LP 1 Tonga Latu Talakai*
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Sekonaia Pole
LP 17 Fiji Taniela Koroi*
TP 18 New Zealand Ha'amea Ahio
FL 19 New Zealand Mike McKee
FL 20 Singapore Declan Martens*
SH 21 South Africa Rowan Gouws
OB 22 Fiji Naibuka Rokua
OB 23 Australia Junior Laloifi
Coach:
New Zealand Ryan Martin
Notes:
 * denotes internationally capped

Asia Rd 4

28 April Asia Pacific Dragons 41–26 South China Tigers Queenstown Stadium, SG  
3.10 pm SGT (UTC+8) Try: Gouws 4' Hala 12'
Ili 20' J. Koroi 23'
Penalty try 43'
Harrison 67'
Con: Hala (2/4) 5' 13'
Fosita (1/1) 68'
Pen: Fosita (1/1) 61'
Cards: Rinakama (YC) 27'
Tikoirotuma (YC) 52' 		Report[17] Try: Hrstich 6'
Penalty try 27'
Solomona 46'
Neville 70+1'
Con: Hughes (2/3) 7' 47' 		Attendance: 1,672 [16]
Referee: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Team details
FB 15 Tonga Kali Hala*
WG 14 New Zealand Zac Harrison-Jones [17]
OC 13 Fiji Asaeli Tikoirotuma*
IC 12 New Zealand Stacy Ili (c)
WG 11 Fiji Sireli Bobo* [17]
FH 10 New Zealand Mitchell Scott [17]
SH 9 South Africa Rowan Gouws
N8 8 Tonga Nili Latu*
OF 7 Tonga Fotu Lokotui*
BF 6 New Zealand Mike McKee
LK 5 New Zealand Joketani Koroi
LK 4 South Africa Louis Conradie
TP 3 Fiji Ropate Rinakama*
HK 2 New Zealand Sekonaia Pole
LP 1 New Zealand Ha'amea Ahio
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Michael Lea
LP 17 Fiji Taniela Koroi*
TP 18 Tonga Latu Talakai*
FL 19 Fiji Naulia Dawai*
FL 20 Tonga Irwin Finau*
SH 21 Tonga Latiume Fosita [17]
OB 22 New Zealand Kurt Hammer [17]
OB 23 Australia Junior Laloifi [17]
Coach:
New Zealand Ryan Martin
FB 15 New Zealand Nathan De Theirry
WG 14 Fiji Samisoni Viriviri* [17]
OC 13 Hong Kong Lewis Warner*
IC 12 Hong Kong Matthew Rosslee*
WG 11 Hong Kong Conor Hartley* [17]
FH 10 England Glyn Hughes
SH 9 Hong Kong Liam Slatem* (c)
N8 8 Hong Kong Joshua Hrstich*
OF 7 Hong Kong Josh Dowsing*
BF 6 Wales James Sawyer
LK 5 Hong Kong Craig Lodge*
LK 4 Hong Kong Fin Field*
TP 3 Hong Kong Tau Koloamatangi*
HK 2 Hong Kong Dayne Jans*
LP 1 Hong Kong Ben Higgins*
Replacements:
HK 16 Hong Kong Alexander Post*
LP 17 Hong Kong Adam Fullgrabe*
TP 18 Samoa Faizal Solomona Penesa
FL 19 Hong Kong Kyle Sullivan*
FL 20 Namibia Luke van der Smit
SH 21 Hong Kong Bryn Phillips*
CE 22 Hong Kong Ben Axten-Burrett*
OB 23 Hong Kong Jack Neville*
Coach:
New Zealand Craig Hammond[18]
Notes:
 * denotes internationally capped

Asia Rd 5

5 May Asia Pacific Dragons 3–7 Western Force Queenstown Stadium, SG  
3.10 pm SGT (UTC+8) Pen: Fosita (1) 27'
Cards: S. Ili (YC) 		Report [19] Try: Tessmann 33'
Con: Prior (1/1) 34' 		Attendance: 1,919
Referee: Matthew Rodden (Hong Kong)
Team details
FB 15 Tonga Kali Hala*
WG 14 Australia Junior Laloifi
OC 13 Fiji Asaeli Tikoirotuma*
IC 12 New Zealand Stacy Ili (c)
WG 10 New Zealand Mitchell Scott
FH 22 Tonga Leon Fukofuka*
SH 21 Tonga Latiume Fosita
N8 8 Tonga Nili Latu*
OF 7 Tonga Fotu Lokotui*
BF 6 New Zealand Mike McKee
LK 5 New Zealand Joketani Koroi
LK 4 South Africa Louis Conradie
TP 3 Fiji Ropate Rinakama*
HK 2 New Zealand Sekonaia Pole
LP 1 New Zealand Ha'amea Ahio
Replacements:
HK 16 Tonga Sosefo Sakalia*
LP 17 Fiji Taniela Koroi*
TP 18 Tonga Latu Talakai*
FL 19 Fiji Naulia Dawai*
FL 20 Tonga Irwin Finau*
SH 9 New Zealand Kurt Hammer
OB 11 Fiji Sireli Bobo*
OB 23 Australia Sheldon Tarawa
Coach:
New Zealand Ryan Martin
FB 15 Australia Jack McGregor
WG 14 Australia Rod Davies*
OC 13 United States Marcel Brache*
IC 12 Samoa Henry Taefu*
WG 11 Australia Brad Lacey
FH 22 Samoa AJ Alatimu*
SH 9 Australia Ian Prior (c)
N8 8 South Africa Brynard Stander
OF 7 Australia Tevin Ferris
BF 6 Samoa Henry Stowers
LK 5 New Zealand Johan Bardoul
LK 4 Australia Fergus Lee Warner
TP 3 Australia Kieran Longbottom
HK 2 Australia Heath Tessmann
LP 1 South Africa Chris Heiberg
Replacements:
HK 27 Australia Andrew Ready
LP 17 Australia Markus Vanzati
TP 18 Australia Tom Sheminant
FL 20 New Zealand Leon Power
FL 19 Australia Chris Alcock
SH 21 Australia Issak Fines
CE 23 Australia Clay Uyen
OB 24 Fiji Masivesi Dakuwaqa
Coach:
Australia Tim Sampson
Notes:
 * denotes internationally capped

Asia Rd 6

12 May South China Tigers 16–40 Western Force Aberdeen Stadium, HK  
4.00 pm HKT (UTC+8) Try: Slatem 26'
Con: Rosslee (1/1) 27'
Pen: Rosslee (2) 18' 24'
Hughes (1) 51' 		Report[20] Try: Lacey 2' pwt
Stander (2) 33' 52'
Alatimu 39'
McGregor 57'
Kaitu'u 67'
Con: Alatimu (2) 34' 39'
Henry Taefu (1) 68' 		Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)
Team details
FB 15 Hong Kong Jack Neville*
WG 14 England Tom Varndell*
OC 13 Hong Kong Ben Axten-Burrett*
IC 12 Australia Tom Hill
WG 11 Hong Kong Harry Sayers*
FH 10 Hong Kong Matthew Rosslee*
SH 9 Hong Kong Liam Slatem* (c)
N8 8 Namibia Luke van der Smit
OF 7 Wales James Sawyer
BF 6 Hong Kong James Cunningham*
LK 5 Hong Kong Kyle Sullivan*
LK 4 Hong Kong Fin Field*
TP 3 Hong Kong Tau Koloamatangi*
HK 2 Hong Kong Dayne Jans*
LP 1 Hong Kong Ben Higgins*
Replacements:
HK 16 New Zealand Mitch Andrews
LP 17 Hong Kong Callum McFeat Smith*
TP 18 Samoa Faizal Solomona Penesa
FL 19 Hong Kong Kane Boucaut*
FL 20 Hong Kong Josh Dowsing*
SH 21 Hong Kong Bryn Phillips*
CE 22 Fiji Samisoni Viriviri*
OB 23 England Glyn Hughes
Coach:
New Zealand Craig Hammond
FB 15 Australia Clay Uyen
WG 14 Australia Rod Davies*
OC 13 United States Marcel Brache* (c)
IC 12 Samoa Henry Taefu*
WG 11 Australia Brad Lacey
FH 22 Samoa AJ Alatimu*
SH 9 Australia Issak Fines
N8 8 South Africa Brynard Stander
OF 7 Australia Tevin Ferris
BF 6 Samoa Henry Stowers
LK 5 Australia Fergus Lee Warner
LK 4 New Zealand Johan Bardoul
TP 3 Australia Kieran Longbottom
HK 2 Australia Heath Tessmann
LP 1 South Africa Chris Heiberg
Replacements:
HK 16 Australia Feleti Kaitu'u
LP 17 Australia Markus Vanzati
TP 18 Australia Tom Sheminant
FL 20 Australia Ben Grant
FL 19 Australia Chris Alcock
SH 21 Australia Angus Taylor
CE 24 Samoa Rodney Iona*
OB 23 Australia Jack McGregor
Coach:
Australia Tim Sampson
Notes:
 * denotes internationally capped

Pacific Showcase

Pac Rd 1

18 May Fijian Latui 38–32 Kagifa Samoa Churchill Park, Lautoka  
3.10 pm FJT (UTC+12) Try: Naugolo 9'
Samusamuvodre 13' pwt
Stewart (2) 6' 63'
Dyer 41', Tovilevu 70'
Con: Waqatabu (2/4) 65' 70'
Tikotani Malele (0/1)
Pen: Waqatabu (0/1)
Cards: Nawaqadau (YC) 30'
Stewart (YC) 30' 		Report[21] Try: McKee 4'
Lam 18', Afu (2) 33' 48'
Con: Fosita (3/4) 4' 33' 45'
Pen: Fosita (2/2) 52' 67' 		Attendance: 4,240
Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

Pac Rd 2

25 May Fijian Latui 15–27 Western Force Churchill Park, Lautoka  
3.10 pm FJT (UTC+12) Try: Lomani 5'
Voka 57'
Dolokoto 69'
Con: Waqatabu (0/1)
Vularika (0/2)
Cards: Voka (YC) 20'
Vota (YC) 59' 		Report[22] Try: Fines 23'
McGregor 30'
Kaitu'u 60'
Con: Alatimu (2/2) 24' 31'
Deegan (1/1) 61'
Pen: Alatimu (2/2) 35' 45' 		Attendance: 6,000+
Referee: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)

Pac Rd 3

31 May Western Force 63–5 Kagifa Samoa HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: Uyen 10', Bardoul 26'
Fines (2) 33' 43', Stowers 52'
Lee-Warner 56'
Davies (2) 58' 65', Ferris 62'
Con: Alatimu (4/4) 11' 27' 33' 44'
Deegan (5/5) 53' 57' 59' 63' 66'
Cards: Lee-Warner (YC) 30' 		Report Try: Hala 70+2'
Con: Fosita (0/1)
Cards: Su'a (YC) 30' 		Attendance: 12,437
Referee: Graham Cooper (Australia)

Pac Rd 4

7 June Kagifa Samoa 31–37 Fijian Latui Pukekohe Stadium, Auckland  
5.40 pm NZST (UTC+12) Try: Fukofuka 17'
Sauni 37' Makris 42'
penalty try 61'
Hala 66'
Con: Makris (2/3) 38' 44'
Hala (0/1)
Cards: Fukofuka (YC) 40' 		Report[23] Try: Tagi 12' Manu 20'
Dolokoto 27'
Malele 30'
Naulago 45'
Con: Waqatabu (3/5) 13' 21' 46'
Pen: Waqatabu (2/2) 55', 63'
Cards: Mawi (YC) 58'
Nakarawa (YC) 59' 		Attendance: 1,800
Referee: Cameron Stone (New Zealand)

Pac Rd 5

15 June Kagifa Samoa 28–44 Western Force Ballymore, Brisbane  
3.40 pm AEST (UTC+10) Try: Stowers (2) 11' 28'
Moala 41'
Mafoa 40'
Con: Hala (4/4) 13' 21' 42' 59'
Cards: Tu'ipulotu (YC) 68' 		Report [25] Try: Lee-Warner 2'
Davies 35+1' pwt
Fines (2) 48' 55' pwt
Ferris 59'
Bardoul 70+1'
Con: Alatimu (1/1) 2'
Deegan (2/3) 50' 70+1' 		Attendance: 2,000 [24]
Referee: Aaron Pook (Australia)

Pac Rd 6

21 June Western Force 45–24 Fijian Latui HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: Davies 8'
Bardoul 19', Deegan 24'
Taefu 35', Stander 45'
O'Sullivan 66', Uyen 70'
Con: Deegan (4/5) 20' 25' 35' 67'
Power (1/1) 70' 		Report [27] Try: Tikotani 28'
Tagi 32'
Stewart 37' pwt
Con: Waqatabu (1/2) 33'
Pen: Waqatabu 13' 		Attendance: 12,832 [26]
Referee: Tim Baker (Hong Kong)

Bledisloe Showcase

9 August Western Force 74–10 Malaysia Valke HBF Park, Perth  
7.40 pm AWST (UTC+8) Try: Fines (2) 11' 28'
McGregor (2) 37' 51'
Jooste 25' pwt
Tessmann 33'
Lee-Warner 58'
Deegan 61' pwt
Lloyd 65', Miller 70'
Con: Deegan (7/7) 12' 30' 35'
38' 52' 59' 61'
Prior (1/1) 70' 		Report [32] Try: Van Wyk 47'
Cronjé 55'
Con: Rickter (0/1) [28]
Pretorius (0/1) [29] 		Attendance: 8,537 [30]
Referee: Dru Tonks (Australia) [31]

Other matches

19 April Sanix-Coca-Cola XV 7–43 Western Force Global Arena, Fukuoka  
1.00 pm JST (UTC+9)


27 April  Japan 'A' Wolfpack 51–38 Western Force Chichibunomiya, Tokyo  
3.30 pm JST (UTC+9)

Media coverage

Rapid Rugby had live broadcast television coverage in 18 countries across Asia and Oceania in 2019.[33] Live streaming and video on demand services reached additional viewers within some Asia-Pacific countries, while Rapid Rugby's own website provided live streams and highlight packages to other regions worldwide.[33]

Nine of the fourteen matches of 2019 showcase series were televised.[34] Fox Sports in Australia and related companies Star Sports and Fox Sports Asia provided the live coverage.[33]

National broadcaster SBS showed all nine of these matches live on free-to-air television across Australia via its SBS Viceland channel and also streamed through SBS on Demand.[33][34] Other Rapid Rugby media partners included Kayo Sports in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand and Fiji TV.[33]

Country Broadcaster Type of service
  ASIA Star Sports [a] Pay television
Fox Sports Asia Pay television
  OCEANIA  Australia Fox Sports Pay television
Kayo Sports Subscription streaming
Video on demand
SBS Viceland Free-to-air television
SBS on Demand
sbs.com.au 		Free streaming
 New Zealand Sky Sport [b] Pay television
 Fiji Fiji TV [c] Free-to-air television
Local channel TBC
 Papua New Guinea Fox Sports Pay television
Various local channels TBC
OTHER   All other locations rapidrugby.com Free streaming
Notes
  1. ^ Star Sports televised some Rapid Rugby Showcase matches in 2019.
  2. ^ Sky Sport New Zealand televised some Rapid Rugby Showcase matches in 2019.
  3. ^ Fiji TV showed Fijian Latui games (only 3 matches televised in 2019).

References

  1. ^ Warren, Adrian (15 November 2018). "Rapid Rugby set to start in 2019". The Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Sport: Sport: Rapid Rugby to provide Pacific boost". Radio New Zealand. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019.
  3. ^ Taylor, Nick (31 January 2019). "New Global Rapid Rugby competition delayed until next year". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  4. ^ Blennerhassett, Patrick (1 March 2019). "Global Rapid Rugby and South China Tigers coming to Hong Kong for two games in 2019". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Rapid Rugby 2019 Schedule on show" (PDF) (Press release). Global Rapid Rugby. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2019.
  6. ^ Manukia, Matt (9 April 2019). "Samoan franchise given green light for breakaway rugby tournament". One News. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  7. ^ Taylor, Nick (9 March 2019). "Nick 'the honey badger' Cummins will return to Perth for Global Rapid Rugby showcase". The West Australian.
  8. ^ "Points plus". Rapid Rugby. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Force secure Showcase win in second half blitz". Global Rapid Rugby. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  10. ^ a b "Force power their way past Tigers". Rapid Rugby. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019.
  11. ^ a b c "Team update". twitter.com/westernforce. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  12. ^ Taylor, Nick (13 April 2019). "Western Force too good for Asia Pacific Dragons in 42-10 win". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019.
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External links

  • Rapid Rugby official website
  • Player transfers at asierugby.net at the Wayback Machine (archived 22 May 2019)
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