Australian businessman Andrew Forrest says the Indo-Pacific Championship will go ahead with or without Rugby Austalia’s approval.

The competition will feature six teams, the Force, and sides from countries such as Fiji, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Samoa.

The proposed competition format consists of 33 matches. It will be played across 10 rounds on a home and away basis, culminating in the playoffs.

Forrest, a billionaire mining magnate, has been locked in negotiations with Rugby Australia over the release of players who are also eligible for Wallabies selection.

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‘This is a tournament that is waiting to happen and will be fantastic for Australia,’ he said. ‘We’ve had something like 250 enquiries from elite players around the world.

‘We’ve had an endorsement from Rugby Asia. We know that World Rugby is completely on side. I think we get closer every day [with getting Rugby Australia’s tick].

‘I think if you have a legitimate love for the game and a legitimate interest in what’s best for the players, you’ll back the new tournament.’

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