China Lions
 | |
| Union | China Rugby Football Association Bay of Plenty Rugby Union |
|---|---|
| League(s) | Global Rapid Rugby |
The China Lions is a professional rugby union team that was formed in 2020 to compete in the Global Rapid Rugby competition across the Asia-Pacific region.[1] It is a joint venture between the China Rugby Football Association and New Zealand's Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.[2][3]
History
[edit]For their first season in 2020 the Lions intended to host three of their home games in China at Shanghai and two in New Zealand at the Rotorua International Stadium.[4][5] Due to health concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Lions only played one match in the schedule,[6][7] a 29–22 away win over the Fijian Latui in Suva.[8]
Records
[edit]Head coaches
[edit]- Mike Rogers (2020) [9]
Captains
[edit]- Hugh Blake (2020) [9]
Squads
[edit]China Lions – 2020 Global Rapid Rugby [A]
Nico Aandewiel- Haereiti Hetet
- Tevita Mafileo
- Solomona Sakalia
- Tevita Sole
- Apitoni Toia
- Viliami Leo Tosi
Notes:
Bold denotes player is internationally capped. (c) Denotes team captain. 1 denotes marquee player.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "China Lions confirmed as the 6th GRR team". Rugby Asia 24/7. 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
- ^ Savory, Logan (10 March 2020). "Southland Stags to run with China Lions in Global Rapid Rugby competition". Stuff. Archived from the original on 11 March 2020.
- ^ "China Lions complete six-team line-up for Global Rapid Rugby". The Australian. 31 January 2020.
- ^ Chadwick, Justin (25 February 2020). "Global Rapid Rugby won't travel to China". Yahoo. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020.
- ^ "China Lions rapid rugby team formed with help of BoP union". Otago Daily Times. 1 February 2020.
- ^ "All systems go for Global Rapid Rugby". Rapid Rugby. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Season One". amazon.aws. Rapid Rugby. 28 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Lions surprise Fiji in season-opener". Rapid Rugby. 14 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ a b c "China Lions ready to roar into competition". China Lions Rugby (Press release). 11 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
