PROGRESSIVE NEW LAWS
Innovation is in our DNA. Our vision is to enhance the wonderful sport of rugby union and provide the Asia Pacific region with a new and dynamic sports-entertainment experience.
Allowing us to deliver more rugby for the fans, and more rugby for the players, Rapid Rugby will incorporate innovative new laws and competition rules designed to increase ball-in-play time and reward attacking, free scoring play.
Like all sports, rugby needs to evolve. In today’s world we’re spoilt for choice, with easily digestible, fast paced action in high demand. We believe our unique combination of rugby and entertainment is a perfect avenue to deliver this content. And while we will honour the traditions of the game, we make no apologies for wanting to be different – check out below how we’ll be forging a new path.
Powering up try scoring
Who doesn’t love seeing the scoreboard tick over? Well, there’s no better way to bank points for your side than with a Power Try. Going the length of the field to score are memories that are etched in supporters’ minds and we’re encouraging more of those moments in every game.
Any try-scoring play that begins inside a team’s defensive 22 will see 9 points added without the need for a conversion. A runaway break is brilliant, but teams with the skill to keep possession and make their way down the field and dot down over the try line will also be rewarded. And if a defensive side contemplates a deliberate penalty to break up the attack they’ll need to think again, the Power Try stays alive!
No sideline safety valve
We’re encouraging the quick counter attack to be a core part the on-field arsenal. How are we doing that? Well, teams no longer have the luxury of kicking the ball out on the full within their defensive 22 to relieve pressure. Any kick that goes over the sideline on the full will be turned over to the opposition at the point of where the kick was taken from, so keeping the ball in the field of play will be the aim of the game. We’re creating more instinctive play, teams will now apply a different style in this area of the field depending on the defensive line in front of them. Watch this space – literally!
Threading the needle
Running rugby is what we’re all about, but kicking is a skill, that when executed well, can cut an opposition defence to shreds. And in Rapid Rugby, it’s all about precision. Teams can take advantage of the 50:22 rule – best explained in this three-step process;
If a player kicks the ball indirectly from open play or from a free-kick from within their own half and the ball reaches the touchline inside their opponents’ 22 then a lineout is formed with the kicking team throwing the ball in. The location of the mark is where the ball goes into touch.
The following interpretations are to be applied by Match Officials:
- The first bounce does not have to be in the oppositions 22m for the rule to apply, the ball simply must cross the line of touch between the oppositions goal line and 22m
- The ball cannot be carried back into your own half in order to create a 50:22 Rule opportunity
- If an opponent touches the ball within that half the 50:22 is no longer available
What is your reward? You move down the field and pick up your attack from the point the ball bounces out! Coaches will have to decide how many players to take from the defensive line to limit the impact of attacking kicks – this one is going to be a cracker!
On and off and on again
Everyone wants to see the best players play for longer so that’s one of the reasons we’ve introduced rolling substitutions. Players can be rotated for management or tactical reasons at any time during the match and then return to the action when needed. There will be a maximum of 12 substitutions for each team during a game.
Rapid game time
To meet expectations of a rapid viewing experience at the stadium and on screens across the globe, we’ve reduced the time of each half to 35min each. That’s 10min less than a traditional rugby match is currently played, and while it might not sound like a big difference, we’ve spoken to a lot of key stakeholders in the game and they agree this simple change creates a sense of urgency in a match that players and fans alike will embrace.
Points plus
We’ve also upped the ante to incentivise and reward attacking tactics and game style. Bonus points are up for grabs if your team does one or more of the following;
- Wins by 3 or more tries = 1 bonus point
- Scores 4 or more tries in a game = 1 bonus point
- Lose by 5 points or less = 1 bonus point
THE COMPETITION
Fast-paced and explosive by name and nature.
Our teams represent the traditional powers of Australasia, the untapped potential of Asia, and the passion and pride of the Pacific Islands.
Global Rapid Rugby’s first home-and-away season in 2020 (before its cancellation) featured six teams over 10 rounds, plus a one-off Grand Final.
OUR DIFFERENTIATORS
- Our vision is to create a growing international rugby competition that enriches its communities.
- We are progressive – we disrupt, and originate (what we do is copied by others).
- We live for entertainment – engaging and innovative experiences and content.
- We focus on community – formed from rugby culture/values, we provide grass-roots
community development, family involvement and participation in sport. - We are agile – free-flowing, fast-moving, and willing to change; we Make It Happen!
- We seek new markets – for sport, for growth, for our platforms and offerings.
