Players will line up for new comp: Douglas
Sep 14, 2017 - 5:32 PM Kane Douglas expects all Australian rugby players will be readying their resumes for the chance to be involved in billionaire Andrew Forrest's Indo-Pacific competition.The six-team, 10-round Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship (IPRC) is due to be launched in August next year, although there is little detail as to which teams or regions will be involved other than a revived Western Force.
There are also plenty of sceptics who don't believe Forrest's brainchild will work out or prove a sustainable venture, particularly if it is pitched towards Asian nations with little interest in rugby.
But as long as there is a brash mining magnate writing the cheques, fringe Wallabies lock Douglas tips players will be interested.
"I heard he's got some deep pockets, so spread the love," Douglas said with a grin.
"The boys want an opportunity to play footy and make a living out of it and there has been that lure of overseas for a while now."
Douglas reckons it could even help keep Australian players in Super Rugby - or lure some back from Europe and Japan - provided the standard of play is up to scratch.
Although it will clash with the National Rugby Championship, the IPRC is slated to begin after the conclusion of Super Rugby.
Organisers are also seeking ARU approval for players in the competition to be eligible for Wallabies selection.
If contracts for the four-month tournament are big enough, it could convince some to ignore the money on offer overseas and stay at home - or it could open up another Test loophole for those who have already left.
"I'm sure everyone would (forward their resumes), to have a look," Douglas said.
"And if you can do both - I suppose that's why a few boys have been going into those Japanese deals where they do Super Rugby and Japan.
"I suppose it depends where your career's at but it sounds nice.
"Whatever he comes up with, it'll be cool to have something else out there."
The Force are the only team locked in for the IPRC with the five others to come from regions like Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Samoa and Fiji.
Source: AAP
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