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]
 | |
| Union | China Rugby Football Association Bay of Plenty Rugby Union |
|---|---|
| League(s) | Global Rapid Rugby |
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.
