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. The competition launch was postponed by a year, however, due to the short time frame following World Rugby approval in November 2018. A scaled-down showcase series of fourteen matches was arranged instead.
Teams Seven teams played in the Rapid Rugby Showcase in 2019:
Team Head coach Captain Stadium Capacity Asia Pacific Dragons Ryan MartinStacey Ili Queenstown Stadium3,800 Fijian LatuiSenirusi SeruvakulaMosese Voka Churchill Park9,500 Kagifa Samoa Darryl Suasua Leon Fukofuka Pukekohe Stadium 12,000Brisbane-->Ballymore18,000 South China TigersCraig HammondJames CunninghamLiam SlatemAberdeen Stadium9,000 Valke Malaysia JP Immelman Shane Kirkwood HBF Park20,500 Western Force Tim Sampson Ian PriorWorld XV Robbie Deans Andy Ellis
Notes
Standings A modified version of the standard Rugby union bonus points system was used, with bonus points awarded for: 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.
– Asian Showcase # Team 1 Western Force 4 4 0 0 +83 19 5 6 0 222 South China Tigers 4 1 0 3 −52 12 21 2 0 63 Asia Pacific Dragons 4 1 0 3 −31 10 15 1 1 6 Updated: 12 May 2019 Source: rapidrugby.com (archived)
– Pacific Showcase # Team 1 Western Force 4 4 0 0 | 72 +109 25 11 5 0 212 Fijian Latui 4 2 0 2 −21 17 19 2 0 103 Kagifa Samoa 4 0 0 4 −88 14 26 1 2 3Updated: 21 June 2019 Source: rapidrugby.com (archived)
Showcase Series
Showcase opener
Team details FB15 Jack McGregorWG14 Clay UyenOC13 Marcel Brache+IC12 Henry Taefu+WG11 Brad LaceyFH10 Andrew DeeganSH9 Ian Prior (c)N88 Brynard StanderOF7 Chris AlcockBF6 Henry StowersLK5 Jeremy Thrush+LK4 Johan BardoulTP3 Kieran LongbottomHK2 Feleti Kaitu'uLP1 Cameron OrrReplacements:HK16 Andrew ReadyLP17 Harrison LloydTP18 Chris HeibergFL19 Leon PowerFL20 Tevin FerrisSH21 Issak FinesCE22 AJ AlatimuOB23 Nick JoosteOB24 Masivesi DakuwaqaCoach: Tim Sampson FB15 Gio Aplon+WG14 Jamie SpowartOC13 Dylan RileyIC12 Inga FinauWG11 Digby Ioane+FH10 Kosei Ono+SH9 Andy Ellis+ (c)N88 Leonardo Senatore+OF7 Hugh RentonBF6 Michael Oakman-HuntLK5 Hamish DalzellLK4 Jack CornelsenTP3 Shohei HiranoHK2 Greg Pleasants-TateLP1 Tom MoloneyReplacements:HK16 Corey Flynn+LP17 Wyatt Crockett+TP18 Chris KingFL19 Mike CurryFL20 Shota FukuiSH21 Leon Fukofuka+CE22 Nick Cummins+OB23 Yoshikazu Fujita+OB24 Kazuki IshidaCoach: Robbie Deans+Notes:+ denotes internationally capped
Asia Showcase
Asia Rd 1
Team details FB15 Jack McGregorWG14 Masivesi DakuwaqaOC13 Henry Taefu*IC12 Rodney Iona*WG11 Clay UyenFH10 Andrew DeeganSH9 Ian Prior (c)N88 Brynard StanderOF7 Chris AlcockBF6 Henry StowersLK5 Jeremy Thrush*LK4 Leon PowerTP3 Kieran LongbottomHK2 Andrew ReadyLP1 Harrison LloydReplacements:HK16 Feleti Kaitu'uLP17 Chris HeibergTP18 Tom SheminantFL19 Johan BardoulFL20 Tevin FerrisSH21 Issak FinesCE22 AJ Alatimu*OB23 Marcel Brache*Coach: FB15 Nathan De TheirryWG14 Tom Varndell*OC13 Lewis Warner*IC12 Matthew Rosslee*WG11 Ma Chong*FH10 Glyn HughesSH9 Bryn Phillips*N88 Joshua Hrstich*OF7 Josh DowsingBF6 James Cunningham* (c)LK5 Callum McCulloughLK4 Fin Field*TP3 Grant Kemp*HK2 Alexander Post*LP1 Tau KoloamatangiReplacements:HK16 Mitch AndrewsLP17 Callum McFeat Smith*TP18 Jack Parfitt*FL19 Michael Parfitt*FL20 James SawyerSH21 Ruan du PlooyCE22 Tom HillOB23 Samisoni Viriviri*Coach: Craig HammondNotes:* denotes internationally capped
Asia Rd 2
Team details FB15 Nick JoosteWG14 Clay UyenOC13 Marcel Brache*IC12 Henry Taefu*WG11 Brad LaceyFH10 AJ Alatimu*SH9 Issak FinesN88 Brynard StanderOF7 Carlo TizzanoBF6 Henry StowersLK5 Leon PowerLK4 Jeremy Thrush* (c)TP3 Kieran LongbottomHK2 Heath TessmannLP1 Harrison LloydReplacements:HK16 Feleti Kaitu'uLP17 Chris HeibergTP18 Tom SheminantFL19 Johan BardoulFL20 Tevin FerrisSH21 Michael McDonaldCE22 Jack McGregorOB23 Rod Davies*Coach: FB15 Junior LaloifiWG14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma*OC13 Stacy Ili (c)IC12 Latiume Fosita*WG11 Mitchell ScottFH10 Kali Hala*SH9 Kurt HammerN88 Naulia Dawai*OF7 Nili Latu*BF6 Mike McKeeLK5 Joketani KoroiLK4 Louis ConradieTP3 Ropate Rinakama*HK2 Sekonaia PoleLP1 Latu Talakai*Replacements:HK16 Michael LeaLP17 Taniela Koroi*TP18 Ha'amea AhioFL19 Irwin FinauFL20 Declan Martens*SH21 Leon Fukofuka*OB22 Sireli Bobo*OB23 Zac Harrison-JonesCoach: Ryan MartinNotes:* denotes internationally capped
Asia Rd 3
Team details FB15 Nathan De TheirryWG14 Samisoni Viriviri*OC13 Lewis Warner*IC12 Matthew Rosslee*WG11 Tom Varndell*FH10 Glyn HughesSH9 Liam Slatem* (c) N88 Luke van der SmitOF7 Josh Dowsing*BF6 James SawyerLK5 Craig Lodge*LK4 Fin Field*TP3 Tau Koloamatangi*HK2 Alexander Post*LP1 Ben Higgins*Replacements:HK16 Mitch AndrewsLP17 Adam Fullgrabe*TP18 Grant Kemp*FL19 Kyle Sullivan*FL20 James Cunningham*SH21 Jamie Lauder*CE22 Tom HillOB23 Ma Chong*Coach: Craig Hammond FB15 Asaeli Tikoirotuma*WG14 Sireli Bobo*OC13 Stacy Ili (c)IC12 Latiume Fosita*WG11 Mitchell ScottFH10 Kali Hala*SH9 Leon Fukofuka*N88 Nili Latu*OF7 Fotu Lokotui*BF6 Naulia Dawai*LK5 Joketani KoroiLK4 Louis ConradieTP3 Ropate Rinakama*HK2 Michael LeaLP1 Latu Talakai*Replacements:HK16 Sekonaia PoleLP17 Taniela Koroi*TP18 Ha'amea AhioFL19 Mike McKeeFL20 Declan Martens*SH21 Rowan GouwsOB22 Naibuka RokuaOB23 Junior LaloifiCoach: Ryan MartinNotes:* denotes internationally capped
Asia Rd 4
Team details FB15 Kali Hala*WG14 Zac Harrison-JonesOC13 Asaeli Tikoirotuma*IC12 Stacy Ili (c)WG11 Sireli Bobo*FH10 Mitchell ScottSH9 Rowan GouwsN88 Nili Latu*OF7 Fotu Lokotui*BF6 Mike McKeeLK5 Joketani KoroiLK4 Louis ConradieTP3 Ropate Rinakama*HK2 Sekonaia PoleLP1 Ha'amea AhioReplacements:HK16 Michael LeaLP17 Taniela Koroi*TP18 Latu Talakai*FL19 Naulia Dawai*FL20 Irwin Finau*SH21 Latiume FositaOB22 Kurt HammerOB23 Junior LaloifiCoach: Ryan Martin FB15 Nathan De TheirryWG14 Samisoni Viriviri*OC13 Lewis Warner*IC12 Matthew Rosslee*WG11 Conor Hartley*FH10 Glyn HughesSH9 Liam Slatem* (c) N88 Joshua Hrstich*OF7 Josh Dowsing*BF6 James SawyerLK5 Craig Lodge*LK4 Fin Field*TP3 Tau Koloamatangi*HK2 Dayne Jans*LP1 Ben Higgins*Replacements:HK16 Alexander Post*LP17 Adam Fullgrabe*TP18 Faizal Solomona PenesaFL19 Kyle Sullivan*FL20 Luke van der SmitSH21 Bryn Phillips*CE22 Ben Axten-Burrett*OB23 Jack Neville*Coach: Craig HammondNotes:* denotes internationally capped
Asia Rd 5
Team details FB15 Kali Hala*WG14 Junior LaloifiOC13 Asaeli Tikoirotuma*IC12 Stacy Ili (c)WG10 Mitchell ScottFH22 Leon Fukofuka*SH21 Latiume FositaN88 Nili Latu*OF7 Fotu Lokotui*BF6 Mike McKeeLK5 Joketani KoroiLK4 Louis ConradieTP3 Ropate Rinakama*HK2 Sekonaia PoleLP1 Ha'amea AhioReplacements:HK16 Sosefo Sakalia*LP17 Taniela Koroi*TP18 Latu Talakai*FL19 Naulia Dawai*FL20 Irwin Finau*SH9 Kurt HammerOB11 Sireli Bobo* OB23 Sheldon TarawaCoach: Ryan Martin FB15 Jack McGregorWG14 Rod Davies*OC13 Marcel Brache*IC12 Henry Taefu*WG11 Brad LaceyFH22 AJ Alatimu*SH9 Ian Prior (c)N88 Brynard StanderOF7 Tevin FerrisBF6 Henry StowersLK5 Johan BardoulLK4 Fergus Lee WarnerTP3 Kieran LongbottomHK2 Heath TessmannLP1 Chris HeibergReplacements:HK27 Andrew ReadyLP17 Markus VanzatiTP18 Tom SheminantFL20 Leon PowerFL19 Chris AlcockSH21 Issak FinesCE23 Clay UyenOB24 Masivesi DakuwaqaCoach: Notes:* denotes internationally capped
Asia Rd 6
Team details FB15 Jack Neville*WG14 Tom Varndell*OC13 Ben Axten-Burrett*IC12 Tom HillWG11 Harry Sayers*FH10 Matthew Rosslee*SH9 Liam Slatem* (c) N88 Luke van der SmitOF7 James SawyerBF6 James Cunningham*LK5 Kyle Sullivan*LK4 Fin Field*TP3 Tau Koloamatangi*HK2 Dayne Jans*LP1 Ben Higgins*Replacements:HK16 Mitch AndrewsLP17 Callum McFeat Smith*TP18 Faizal Solomona PenesaFL19 Kane Boucaut*FL20 Josh Dowsing*SH21 Bryn Phillips*CE22 Samisoni Viriviri*OB23 Glyn HughesCoach: Craig Hammond FB15 Clay UyenWG14 Rod Davies*OC13 Marcel Brache* (c)IC12 Henry Taefu*WG11 Brad LaceyFH22 AJ Alatimu*SH9 Issak FinesN88 Brynard StanderOF7 Tevin FerrisBF6 Henry StowersLK5 Fergus Lee WarnerLK4 Johan BardoulTP3 Kieran LongbottomHK2 Heath TessmannLP1 Chris HeibergReplacements:HK16 Feleti Kaitu'uLP17 Markus VanzatiTP18 Tom SheminantFL20 Ben Grant FL19 Chris AlcockSH21 Angus Taylor CE24 Rodney Iona*OB23 Jack McGregorCoach: Notes:* denotes internationally capped
Pacific Showcase
Pac Rd 1
Pac Rd 2
Pac Rd 3
Pac Rd 4
Pac Rd 5
Pac Rd 6
Bledisloe Showcase
Other matches
Media coverage Rapid Rugby had live broadcast television coverage in 18 countries across Asia and Oceania in 2019. 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.
Nine of the fourteen matches of 2019 showcase series were televised. Fox Sports in Australia and related companies Star Sports and Fox Sports Asia provided the live coverage.
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. Other Rapid Rugby media partners included Kayo Sports in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand and Fiji TV.
Country Broadcaster Type of service Star Sports Pay television Fox Sports Asia Pay television Fox Sports Pay television Kayo Sports Subscription streamingVideo on demand SBS Viceland Free-to-air television SBS on Demandsbs.com.au Free streaming Sky Sport Pay television Fiji TV Free-to-air television Local channel TBC Fox Sports Pay television Various local channels TBC All other locations rapidrugby.com Free streaming Notes
References
External links Rapid Rugby official website