Hong Kong Rugby Union open to featuring in Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest’s ‘IPL of rugby’
As the Western Force’s battle with the Australian Rugby Union comes to an end, the billionaire announces plans for a six-team Indo-Pacific competition
The Hong Kong Rugby Union are open to taking part in mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s breakaway rugby competition, chief rugby operations officer Dai Rees said on Tuesday.
The Australian Rugby Union axed the Western Force from the Super Rugby competition after the New South Wales Supreme Court dismissed Rugby Western Australia’s appeal – and Forrest immediately announced plans to launch a six-team Indo-Pacific competition.
The competition, dubbed the “Indian Premier League of rugby” by Force coach Dave Wessels in reference to the big-money cricket league, will see the Force compete against franchises from other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
While there is no confirmation as yet that Hong Kong will be involved, Rees says the union would “be silly not to listen” to what the billionaire businessman has to say.
“We’d be crazy not to look at it, it’s a seven-hour flight to Perth and it’s in the same time zone. When you look around the world at other opportunities, that’s not a long flight,” Rees said.
