We have a confirmed report that the Rapid Rugby season for 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19.
Media reports from New Zealand and Fiji said early on the 7th April 2020 that the season has been called off after one round of its first season. With the travel restrictions in place due to coronavirus, the competition in the Asia Pacific faced huge obstacles, and a statement was released by GRR to confirm the news today.
Rapid Rugby 2020 season cancelled
On March 15th, 2020 Rapid Rugby said the season was postponed after one round of action. Less than a month later the season has been cancelled.
Rapid Rugby CEO Mark Evans said “All of our decisions around Global Rapid Rugby in 2020 have been based on expert health advice; there are global realities and challenges that cannot and should not be ignored or worked around.”
“We have never been scared of hard work or seemingly impossible challenges, but in the current circumstances feel that our hand has been forced to upgrade our previous Season One suspension to a complete cancellation. We will continue to work closely with all teams and stakeholders around potential future plans.
“The work that went into the formation of the 2020 home-and-away season was first-class. We showed in the one round that we were able to play, what an exciting game we have created.
The immediate future may be full of uncertainty, but the bigger picture is full of exciting opportunities for rugby in the Asia Pacific region.
Evans added, “I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank everyone involved in what was to be the first full season of Global Rapid Rugby. Hong Kong Rugby Union, China Rugby Football Association, the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, Rugby Australia, Fiji Rugby, Samoa Rugby Union, Malaysia Rugby Union, Valke Rugby Union and of course Rapid Rugby’s founders Andrew and Nicola Forrest.”
Rapid Rugby 2020 teams
It is unclear, as Evans said, what the future will hold, especially for the six Asian-Pacific teams who had been created for the Rapid Rugby competition.
- Western Force
- Malaysia Valke
- Fijian Latui
- Manuma Samoa
- South China Tigers
- China Lions
Find out more about rugby in Asia
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- JRFU Updates 2021 Top League Plans.
- Rhino has signed a deal with Asia Rugby until 2024.
- Details confirmed for the 2021 RWC in NZ.
- How has Coronavirus affected rugby in Asia?
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