China Lions

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]

China Lions
UnionChina Rugby Football Association           
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union
League(s)Global Rapid Rugby

History

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

Head coaches

  • Mike Rogers  (2020) [9]

Captains

Squads

China Lions – 2020 Global Rapid Rugby [upper-alpha 1]

Hooker
Prop
Lock
Backrow
Halfback
Five-eighth
Centre
  • New Zealand Joe Johnston
  • New Zealand James Little
  • New Zealand Mathew Skipwith-Garland
Wing
Fullback

Notes:

  1. The initial 35-man squad was named in March 2020.[upper-alpha 2]
  2. "China Lions ready to roar into competition". China Lions Rugby (Press release). 11 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.

Bold denotes player is internationally capped. (c) Denotes team captain. 1 denotes marquee player.

See also

References
  1. "China Lions confirmed as the 6th GRR team". Rugby Asia 24/7. 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020.
  2. 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.
  3. "China Lions complete six-team line-up for Global Rapid Rugby". The Australian. 31 January 2020.
  4. Chadwick, Justin (25 February 2020). "Global Rapid Rugby won't travel to China". Yahoo. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020.
  5. "China Lions rapid rugby team formed with help of BoP union". Otago Daily Times. 1 February 2020.
  6. "All systems go for Global Rapid Rugby". Rapid Rugby. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020.
  7. "Season One". amazon.aws. Rapid Rugby. 28 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020.
  8. "Lions surprise Fiji in season-opener". Rapid Rugby. 14 March 2020.
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