Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest has been forced to postpone his Global Rapid Rugby competition until 2020, but he remains adamant it will be a raging success.
Forrest initially hoped to launch the eight-team competition in March, but says the tight time frame and the intricacies of a World Cup year convinced him to launch it in 2020 instead.
The new competition was only granted World Rugby approval in mid-November, and Forrest says they need more time to get it up and running.
A 'Showcase Series' will be played this year in place of Global Rapid Rugby.
The fixture of that will be confirmed in the coming weeks, but the Western Force are set to play a series of teams throughout Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Australasia to give fans a taste of what to expect from Global Rapid Rugby.
"It will form a runway for the launch of an even bigger investment in 2020, once strong broadcasting arrangements are in place," Forrest said.
"Making Rapid Rugby a reality has required a considerable amount of courage and determination.
"That determination, and our vision, has not changed. The strategy required to realise it requires a strong foundation."
Rapid Rugby head of rugby Matt Hodgson will continue to contact players about marquee spots.
"Rapid Rugby is going to be huge, and the Showcase Series will prove it," Hodgson said.
"Like me, the players and teams were ready to go.
"But I am confident the 2019 series will be a great demonstration of what a full season of increased ball-in-play time, attacking, aggressive, high scoring rugby will look like."
Global Rapid Rugby will feature a series of rule changes in a bid to make the game more free-flowing and reduce stoppages.
Games will be reduced to 70 minutes, with off-field entertainment to be a major focus as well.
Hong Kong, Singapore, Fiji, Malaysia, and Samoa are among the sides set to compete in Global Rapid Rugby.
Organisers are also keen to include a side from Japan.
