2019 Global Rapid Rugby season
# 2019 Global Rapid Rugby season

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 Martin | Stacey Ili | Queenstown Stadium | 3,800 |
| Fijian Latui | Senirusi Seruvakula | Mosese Voka | Churchill Park | 9,500 |
| Kagifa Samoa | Darryl Suasua | Leon Fukofuka | Pukekohe Stadium | 12,000 |
| Kagifa Samoa | Darryl Suasua | Leon Fukofuka | Ballymore | 18,000 |
| South China Tigers | Craig Hammond | James Cunningham Liam Slatem | Aberdeen Stadium | 9,000 |
| Valke Malaysia | JP Immelman | Shane Kirkwood | HBF Park | 20,500 |
| Western Force | Tim Sampson | Ian Prior | HBF Park | 20,500 |
| World XV | Robbie Deans | Andy Ellis | HBF Park | 20,500 |

### Notes

* 1 2 Due to construction being underway at Apia Park for the Pacific Games, Samoa's home matches were moved to Auckland and Brisbane.
* ↑ Invitational team run by the promoter behind the Barbarians and selected from established internationals and rising players.

## 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.

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

## Showcase Series

### Showcase opener

Team details :

| FB | 15 | Jack McGregor |
| - | - | - |
| WG | 14 | Clay Uyen |
| OC | 13 | Marcel $Brache^+$ |
| IC | 12 | Henry $Taefu^+$ |
| WG | 11 | Brad Lacey |
| FH | 10 | Andrew Deegan |
| SH | 9 | Ian Prior (c) |
| N8 | 8 | Brynard Stander |
| OF | 7 | Chris Alcock |
| BF | 6 | Henry Stowers |
| LK | 5 | Jeremy $Thrush^+$ |
| LK | 4 | Johan Bardoul |
| TP | 3 | Kieran Longbottom |
| HK | 2 | Feleti Kaitu'u |
| LP | 1 | Cameron Orr |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Ready |
| LP | 17 | Harrison Lloyd |
| TP | 18 | Chris Heiberg |
| FL | 19 | Leon Power |
| FL | 20 | Tevin Ferris |
| SH | 21 | Issak Fines |
| CE | 22 | AJ Alatimu |
| OB | 23 | Nick Jooste |
| OB | 24 | Masivesi Dakuwaqa |
| Coach: ||
| Tim Sampson ||
| FB | 15 | Gio $Aplon^+$ |
| WG | 14 | Jamie Spowart |
| OC | 13 | Dylan Riley |
| IC | 12 | Inga Finau |
| WG | 11 | Digby $Ioane^+$ |
| FH | 10 | Kosei $Ono^+$ |
| SH | 9 | Andy $Ellis^+$ (c) |
| N8 | 8 | Leonardo $Senatore^+$ |
| OF | 7 | Hugh Renton |
| BF | 6 | Michael Oakman-Hunt |
| LK | 5 | Hamish Dalzell |
| LK | 4 | Jack Cornelsen |
| TP | 3 | Shohei Hirano |
| HK | 2 | Greg Pleasants-Tate |
| LP | 1 | Tom Moloney |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Corey $Flynn^+$ |
| LP | 17 | Wyatt $Crockett^+$ |
| TP | 18 | Chris King |
| FL | 19 | Mike Curry |
| FL | 20 | Shota Fukui |
| SH | 21 | Leon $Fukofuka^+$ |
| CE | 22 | Nick $Cummins^+$ |
| OB | 23 | Yoshikazu $Fujita^+$ |
| OB | 24 | Kazuki Ishida |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie $Deans^+$ ||

Notes:  $^+$ denotes internationally capped :

### Asia Showcase

**Asia Rd 1**

Team details :

| FB | 15 | Jack McGregor |
| - | - | - |
| WG | 14 | Masivesi Dakuwaqa |
| OC | 13 | Henry Taefu* |
| IC | 12 | Rodney Iona* |
| WG | 11 | Clay Uyen |
| FH | 10 | Andrew Deegan |
| SH | 9 | Ian Prior (c) |
| N8 | 8 | Brynard Stander |
| OF | 7 | Chris Alcock |
| BF | 6 | Henry Stowers |
| LK | 5 | Jeremy Thrush* |
| LK | 4 | Leon Power |
| TP | 3 | Kieran Longbottom |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Ready |
| LP | 1 | Harrison Lloyd |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Feleti Kaitu'u |
| LP | 17 | Chris Heiberg |
| TP | 18 | Tom Sheminant |
| FL | 19 | Johan Bardoul |
| FL | 20 | Tevin Ferris |
| SH | 21 | Issak Fines |
| CE | 22 | AJ Alatimu* |
| OB | 23 | Marcel Brache* |
| Coach: ||
| Tim Sampson ||
| FB | 15 | Nathan De Theirry |
| WG | 14 | Tom Varndell* |
| OC | 13 | Lewis Warner* |
| IC | 12 | Matthew Rosslee* |
| WG | 11 | Ma Chong* |
| FH | 10 | Glyn Hughes |
| SH | 9 | Bryn Phillips* |
| N8 | 8 | Joshua Hrstich* |
| OF | 7 | Josh Dowsing |
| BF | 6 | James Cunningham* (c) |
| LK | 5 | Callum McCullough |
| LK | 4 | Fin Field* |
| TP | 3 | Grant Kemp* |
| HK | 2 | Alexander Post* |
| LP | 1 | Tau Koloamatangi |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Mitch Andrews |
| LP | 17 | Callum McFeat Smith* |
| TP | 18 | Jack Parfitt* |
| FL | 19 | Michael Parfitt* |
| FL | 20 | James Sawyer |
| SH | 21 | Ruan du Plooy |
| CE | 22 | Tom Hill |
| OB | 23 | Samisoni Viriviri* |
| Coach: ||
| Craig Hammond ||

Notes:  * denotes internationally capped :

**Asia Rd 2**

Team details :

| FB | 15 | Nick Jooste |
| - | - | - |
| WG | 14 | Clay Uyen |
| OC | 13 | Marcel Brache* |
| IC | 12 | Henry Taefu* |
| WG | 11 | Brad Lacey |
| FH | 10 | AJ Alatimu* |
| SH | 9 | Issak Fines |
| N8 | 8 | Brynard Stander |
| OF | 7 | Carlo Tizzano |
| BF | 6 | Henry Stowers |
| LK | 5 | Leon Power |
| LK | 4 | Jeremy Thrush* (c) |
| TP | 3 | Kieran Longbottom |
| HK | 2 | Heath Tessmann |
| LP | 1 | Harrison Lloyd |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Feleti Kaitu'u |
| LP | 17 | Chris Heiberg |
| TP | 18 | Tom Sheminant |
| FL | 19 | Johan Bardoul |
| FL | 20 | Tevin Ferris |
| SH | 21 | Michael McDonald |
| CE | 22 | Jack McGregor |
| OB | 23 | Rod Davies* |
| Coach: ||
| Tim Sampson ||
| FB | 15 | Junior Laloifi |
| WG | 14 | Asaeli Tikoirotuma* |
| OC | 13 | Stacy Ili (c) |
| IC | 12 | Latiume Fosita* |
| WG | 11 | Mitchell Scott |
| FH | 10 | Kali Hala* |
| SH | 9 | Kurt Hammer |
| N8 | 8 | Naulia Dawai* |
| OF | 7 | Nili Latu* |
| BF | 6 | Mike McKee |
| LK | 5 | Joketani Koroi |
| LK | 4 | Louis Conradie |
| TP | 3 | Ropate Rinakama* |
| HK | 2 | Sekonaia Pole |
| LP | 1 | Latu Talakai* |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Michael Lea |
| LP | 17 | Taniela Koroi* |
| TP | 18 | Ha'amea Ahio |
| FL | 19 | Irwin Finau |
| FL | 20 | Declan Martens* |
| SH | 21 | Leon Fukofuka* |
| OB | 22 | Sireli Bobo* |
| OB | 23 | Zac Harrison-Jones |
| Coach: ||
| Ryan Martin ||

Notes:  * denotes internationally capped :

**Asia Rd 3**

Team details :

| FB | 15 | Nathan De Theirry |
| - | - | - |
| WG | 14 | Samisoni Viriviri* |
| OC | 13 | Lewis Warner* |
| IC | 12 | Matthew Rosslee* |
| WG | 11 | Tom Varndell* |
| FH | 10 | Glyn Hughes |
| SH | 9 | Liam Slatem* (c) |
| N8 | 8 | Luke van der Smit |
| OF | 7 | Josh Dowsing* |
| BF | 6 | James Sawyer |
| LK | 5 | Craig Lodge* |
| LK | 4 | Fin Field* |
| TP | 3 | Tau Koloamatangi* |
| HK | 2 | Alexander Post* |
| LP | 1 | Ben Higgins* |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Mitch Andrews |
| LP | 17 | Adam Fullgrabe* |
| TP | 18 | Grant Kemp* |
| FL | 19 | Kyle Sullivan* |
| FL | 20 | James Cunningham* |
| SH | 21 | Jamie Lauder* |
| CE | 22 | Tom Hill |
| OB | 23 | Ma Chong* |
| Coach: ||
| Craig Hammond ||
| FB | 15 | Asaeli Tikoirotuma* |
| WG | 14 | Sireli Bobo* |
| OC | 13 | Stacy Ili (c) |
| IC | 12 | Latiume Fosita* |
| WG | 11 | Mitchell Scott |
| FH | 10 | Kali Hala* |
| SH | 9 | Leon Fukofuka* |
| N8 | 8 | Nili Latu* |
| OF | 7 | Fotu Lokotui* |
| BF | 6 | Naulia Dawai* |
| LK | 5 | Joketani Koroi |
| LK | 4 | Louis Conradie |
| TP | 3 | Ropate Rinakama* |
| HK | 2 | Michael Lea |
| LP | 1 | Latu Talakai* |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Sekonaia Pole |
| LP | 17 | Taniela Koroi* |
| TP | 18 | Ha'amea Ahio |
| FL | 19 | Mike McKee |
| FL | 20 | Declan Martens* |
| SH | 21 | Rowan Gouws |
| OB | 22 | Naibuka Rokua |
| OB | 23 | Junior Laloifi |
| Coach: ||
| Ryan Martin ||

Notes:  * denotes internationally capped :

**Asia Rd 4**

Team details :

| FB | 15 | Kali Hala* |
| - | - | - |
| WG | 14 | Zac Harrison-Jones |
| OC | 13 | Asaeli Tikoirotuma* |
| IC | 12 | Stacy Ili (c) |
| WG | 11 | Sireli Bobo* |
| FH | 10 | Mitchell Scott |
| SH | 9 | Rowan Gouws |
| N8 | 8 | Nili Latu* |
| OF | 7 | Fotu Lokotui* |
| BF | 6 | Mike McKee |
| LK | 5 | Joketani Koroi |
| LK | 4 | Louis Conradie |
| TP | 3 | Ropate Rinakama* |
| HK | 2 | Sekonaia Pole |
| LP | 1 | Ha'amea Ahio |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Michael Lea |
| LP | 17 | Taniela Koroi* |
| TP | 18 | Latu Talakai* |
| FL | 19 | Naulia Dawai* |
| FL | 20 | Irwin Finau* |
| SH | 21 | Latiume Fosita |
| OB | 22 | Kurt Hammer |
| OB | 23 | Junior Laloifi |
| Coach: ||
| Ryan Martin ||
| FB | 15 | Nathan De Theirry |
| WG | 14 | Samisoni Viriviri* |
| OC | 13 | Lewis Warner* |
| IC | 12 | Matthew Rosslee* |
| WG | 11 | Conor Hartley* |
| FH | 10 | Glyn Hughes |
| SH | 9 | Liam Slatem* (c) |
| N8 | 8 | Joshua Hrstich* |
| OF | 7 | Josh Dowsing* |
| BF | 6 | James Sawyer |
| LK | 5 | Craig Lodge* |
| LK | 4 | Fin Field* |
| TP | 3 | Tau Koloamatangi* |
| HK | 2 | Dayne Jans* |
| LP | 1 | Ben Higgins* |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Alexander Post* |
| LP | 17 | Adam Fullgrabe* |
| TP | 18 | Faizal Solomona Penesa |
| FL | 19 | Kyle Sullivan* |
| FL | 20 | Luke van der Smit |
| SH | 21 | Bryn Phillips* |
| CE | 22 | Ben Axten-Burrett* |
| OB | 23 | Jack Neville* |
| Coach: ||
| Craig Hammond ||

Notes:  * denotes internationally capped :

**Asia Rd 5**

Team details :

| FB | 15 | Kali Hala* |
| - | - | - |
| WG | 14 | Junior Laloifi |
| OC | 13 | Asaeli Tikoirotuma* |
| IC | 12 | Stacy Ili (c) |
| WG | 10 | Mitchell Scott |
| FH | 22 | Leon Fukofuka* |
| SH | 21 | Latiume Fosita |
| N8 | 8 | Nili Latu* |
| OF | 7 | Fotu Lokotui* |
| BF | 6 | Mike McKee |
| LK | 5 | Joketani Koroi |
| LK | 4 | Louis Conradie |
| TP | 3 | Ropate Rinakama* |
| HK | 2 | Sekonaia Pole |
| LP | 1 | Ha'amea Ahio |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Sosefo Sakalia* |
| LP | 17 | Taniela Koroi* |
| TP | 18 | Latu Talakai* |
| FL | 19 | Naulia Dawai* |
| FL | 20 | Irwin Finau* |
| SH | 9 | Kurt Hammer |
| OB | 11 | Sireli Bobo* |
| OB | 23 | Sheldon Tarawa |
| Coach: ||
| Ryan Martin ||
| FB | 15 | Jack McGregor |
| WG | 14 | Rod Davies* |
| OC | 13 | Marcel Brache* |
| IC | 12 | Henry Taefu* |
| WG | 11 | Brad Lacey |
| FH | 22 | AJ Alatimu* |
| SH | 9 | Ian Prior (c) |
| N8 | 8 | Brynard Stander |
| OF | 7 | Tevin Ferris |
| BF | 6 | Henry Stowers |
| LK | 5 | Johan Bardoul |
| LK | 4 | Fergus Lee Warner |
| TP | 3 | Kieran Longbottom |
| HK | 2 | Heath Tessmann |
| LP | 1 | Chris Heiberg |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 27 | Andrew Ready |
| LP | 17 | Markus Vanzati |
| TP | 18 | Tom Sheminant |
| FL | 20 | Leon Power |
| FL | 19 | Chris Alcock |
| SH | 21 | Issak Fines |
| CE | 23 | Clay Uyen |
| OB | 24 | Masivesi Dakuwaqa |
| Coach: ||
| Tim Sampson ||

Notes:  * denotes internationally capped :

**Asia Rd 6**

Team details :

| FB | 15 | Jack Neville* |
| - | - | - |
| WG | 14 | Tom Varndell* |
| OC | 13 | Ben Axten-Burrett* |
| IC | 12 | Tom Hill |
| WG | 11 | Harry Sayers* |
| FH | 10 | Matthew Rosslee* |
| SH | 9 | Liam Slatem* (c) |
| N8 | 8 | Luke van der Smit |
| OF | 7 | James Sawyer |
| BF | 6 | James Cunningham* |
| LK | 5 | Kyle Sullivan* |
| LK | 4 | Fin Field* |
| TP | 3 | Tau Koloamatangi* |
| HK | 2 | Dayne Jans* |
| LP | 1 | Ben Higgins* |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Mitch Andrews |
| LP | 17 | Callum McFeat Smith* |
| TP | 18 | Faizal Solomona Penesa |
| FL | 19 | Kane Boucaut* |
| FL | 20 | Josh Dowsing* |
| SH | 21 | Bryn Phillips* |
| CE | 22 | Samisoni Viriviri* |
| OB | 23 | Glyn Hughes |
| Coach: ||
| Craig Hammond ||
| FB | 15 | Clay Uyen |
| WG | 14 | Rod Davies* |
| OC | 13 | Marcel Brache* (c) |
| IC | 12 | Henry Taefu* |
| WG | 11 | Brad Lacey |
| FH | 22 | AJ Alatimu* |
| SH | 9 | Issak Fines |
| N8 | 8 | Brynard Stander |
| OF | 7 | Tevin Ferris |
| BF | 6 | Henry Stowers |
| LK | 5 | Fergus Lee Warner |
| LK | 4 | Johan Bardoul |
| TP | 3 | Kieran Longbottom |
| HK | 2 | Heath Tessmann |
| LP | 1 | Chris Heiberg |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Feleti Kaitu'u |
| LP | 17 | Markus Vanzati |
| TP | 18 | Tom Sheminant |
| FL | 20 | Ben Grant |
| FL | 19 | Chris Alcock |
| SH | 21 | Angus Taylor |
| CE | 24 | Rodney Iona* |
| OB | 23 | Jack McGregor |
| Coach: ||
| Tim Sampson ||

Notes:  * denotes internationally capped :

## 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 |
| - | - | - | - |
| ASIA | China  South Korea | Star Sports | Pay television |
| ASIA | Brunei  Cambodia  Hong Kong  Indonesia  Macau  Malaysia  Mongolia  Myanmar  Philippines  Singapore  Thailand  Vietnam | Fox Sports Asia | Pay television |
| OCEANIA | Australia | Fox Sports | Pay television |
| OCEANIA | Australia | Kayo Sports | Subscription streaming Video on demand |
| OCEANIA | Australia | SBS Viceland | Free-to-air television |
| OCEANIA | Australia | SBS on Demand sbs.com.au | Free streaming |
| OCEANIA | New Zealand | Sky Sport | Pay television |
| OCEANIA | Fiji | Fiji TV | Free-to-air television |
| OCEANIA | Fiji | Local channel | TBC |
| OCEANIA | Papua New Guinea | Fox Sports | Pay television |
| OCEANIA | Nauru  Samoa  Solomon Islands  Tonga  Vanuatu | Various local channels | TBC |
| OTHER | All other locations | rapidrugby.com | Free streaming |

### Notes

* ↑ Star Sports televised some Rapid Rugby Showcase matches in 2019.
* ↑ Sky Sport New Zealand televised some Rapid Rugby Showcase matches in 2019.
* ↑ Fiji TV showed Fijian Latui games (only 3 matches televised in 2019).
