The Andrew Forrest-run Global Rapid Rugby will run as a full home and away season in 2020, the mining magnate confirmed on Friday.
Forrest's Minderoo started the competition, which was created as a way to keep the Western Force playing top flight rugby after their Super Rugby axing, and though it was not able to be run in its full format in 2019,
The Force played teams from Asia and the Pacific regions this season as part of two exhibition series and will play their final 2019 match against the Malaysia Valke on Friday night, ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe opener.
Forrest announced on Friday that the tournament will be run as an expanded home and away competition in 2020 with a $1 million prize for the winner.
The Force will certainly be involved in the competition but it is unclear which teams from this season will be back and whether there will be any additions to the calendar in the new format.
Coach Tim Sampson and captain Ian Prior have both recommitted to the WA team for next year.
“We decided to use 2019 to introduce the Asia Pacific to Global Rapid Rugby’s brand of the game and this proved to be a good call. The players loved it, communities embraced it and it has been great for rugby,” Forrest said.
“We have formed the strong foundation needed and look forward to bringing Rapid Rugby’s innovative and entertaining game style back to our region’s growing fan base, with AU$1 million in prize money.”
Saturday's Perth Bledisloe sold out in just six days and Forrest pointed to that as a sign of the passion WA rugby fans had for the sport.
“Saturday night’s turnout will be a timely reminder to the nation that Western Australia is a critical part of the future of rugby not just in this country but across the entire region,” he said.
“It’s the people of Western Australia that have kept the sport alive in this state – they have continued to form the Sea of Blue, they have backed Rapid Rugby, they will demonstrate amazing support for the Wallabies here tomorrow night and prove to Rugby Australia that WA will always be a Force in this game.”
