Forrest launches new competition

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest insists he has buried the hatchet with Cameron Clyne, and he’s urging the Australian Rugby Union chairman to endorse his new competition for the benefit of the game.

Forrest officially launched the Indo Pacific Rugby Championship (IPRC) yesterday.

But instead of it being a rebel competition, Forrest wants it to work hand-in-hand with the current rugby set-up in Australia.

Under Forrest’s plans, the IPRC will run after the Super Rugby season, and during the third-tier National Rugby Championship.

Pre-season will begin in July, with the 10-round competition to run between August and October next year. The top four teams will play off in finals.

Forrest said the new competition will not only help Australia retain their most talented players, but also lure back those who are playing abroad.

He said the lucrative four- month contracts on offer would help ease the financial burden on the cash-strapped ARU, and boost the amount of players available for Wallabies selection.

But whether the competition is a success largely hinges on whether the ARU gives its endorsement. If it does, then players who feature in the IPRC will still be eligible for Wallabies selection, and players will flock to it.

But if the ARU decides not to play ball, the IPRC will effectively be a rebel competition.

Forrest said about 20 countries had already expressed interest in participating.

Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Fiji, Malaysia, and Samoa are among the early favourites to participate.

Teams will recruit their own players but there will be a centralised player pool to help bolster the franchises that are based in weaker rugby areas.