WATCH: Andrew Forrest explains Global Rapid Rugby

Australian businessman and philanthropist Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest talks about his new Asia-Pacific rugby tournament, Rapid Rugby, which will kick off in 2019 and have several law variations.

The tournament will include former Super Rugby side the Western Force as well as a team from Japan, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia.

Forrest confirmed that the Malaysian team, playing out of Kuala Lumpur, will have South African backing.

World Rugby has given the competition the green light with the Japanese side set to join the competition will be announced in the coming weeks.

He also confirmed that the new competition will be free to air in Australia and around the world and will have a number of law changes aimed at making the game faster:

– A reduction in playing time of five minutes each half to 35 minutes

– No direct kicks for touch from inside the 22m area to encourage ball-in-hand counter-attack

– A power try, scored from a move starting inside a team’s own 22m area, will be worth nine points with no conversion

– Killing the ball for a penalty will not end the power try move

– Penalty goals reduced from three to two points

– Defence a further 5m back at the scrum

– A team retains possession if the ball is kicked from their own 40m and bounces out in the opposition 22m

– No ‘mark’ call in the 22m area

– Ten rolling substitutions

– Reduced time for kick-offs and penalties

– Red-carded players can be replaced after 15 minutes

– An orange card system for match review officials

– A bonus-point scoring system will be in place