NRC onwards and upwards

[TOCC]

I'm still not sure what it is you are proposing instead of the NRC?

Extending club rugby 10 weeks isn't the answer, that would also have unintended consequences, Shute Shield used to have longer seasons but reduced it, why?

What happens to Rebels and Force players, are they really going to reach their full potential by playing in Perth and Melbourne club competitions?

 

[Lindommer]

Whitehead, you're entitled to your opinion, and I'm delighted you're concerned about the future health and progress of Oz rugby, but what you're suggesting is another competition between club and Super rugby. Australian rugby has been over this so many times culminating in the CapGemini conference in 2006 when EVERY level of players/club/officials called for another competition. We started with the ARC in 2007 and now have the NRC in its third year. The facts are there's not going to be any deviation from this path for the foreseeable future.

That's it. Like it or lump it.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I'm still not sure what it is you are proposing instead of the NRC?

Extending club rugby 10 weeks isn't the answer, that would also have unintended consequences, Shute Shield used to have longer seasons but reduced it, why?

What happens to Rebels and Force players, are they really going to reach their full potential by playing in Perth and Melbourne club competitions?

I think he's suggesting a national club competition run in the same window as the NRC. Which in theory sounds fine but the realities are it is far too narrow unless there are provisions for clubs to be able to bring in talent from other clubs. Which then brings into question the fairness to the players who earned the right to play in the competition.

 

[Whitehead]

Whitehead, you're entitled to your opinion, and I'm delighted you're concerned about the future health and progress of Oz rugby, but what you're suggesting is another competition between club and Super rugby. Australian rugby has been over this so many times culminating in the CapGemini conference in 2006 when EVERY level of players/club/officials called for another competition. We started with the ARC in 2007 and now have the NRC in its third year. The facts are there's not going to be any deviation from this path for the foreseeable future.

That's it. Like it or lump it.

The problem with what we have is that it has not engaged fans, is costing money the super rugby franchises and the ARU don't have. Are there any kpi's that this competition is meant to hit? And which of them can't be hot but alternatives that don't cost as much?

 

[Whitehead]

I think he's suggesting a national club competition run in the same window as the NRC. Which in theory sounds fine but the realities are it is far too narrow unless there are provisions for clubs to be able to bring in talent from other clubs. Which then brings into question the fairness to the players who earned the right to play in the competition.

There are plenty of issues that would need to be worked through, but if fairness is one of them then the NRC doesn't follow that. Look at James dargaville, apparently picked up a super rugby contract through his performances for the stars in 2014, then because of his brumbies contract is made to play for the Vikings the following year, is this fair to make an already strong Vikings team even stronger at the expense of a club player from Canberra missing out on an opportunity and what reward did the stars get for developing this player?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

There are plenty of issues that would need to be worked through, but if fairness is one of them then the NRC doesn't follow that. Look at James dargaville, apparently picked up a super rugby contract through his performances for the stars in 2014, then because of his brumbies contract is made to play for the Vikings the following year, is this fair to make an already strong Vikings team even stronger at the expense of a club player from Canberra missing out on an opportunity and what reward did the stars get for developing this player?

And you don't think that will happen in your theoretical competition? Players now move and align with clubs in their new franchises catchment. All we will see in your model is players with pro contracts being loaned to whichever club qualifies at the expense of others.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

And you don't think that will happen in your theoretical competition? Players now move and align with clubs in their new franchises catchment. All we will see in your model is players with pro contracts being loaned to whichever club qualifies at the expense of others.

There are plenty of issues that would need to be worked through, but if fairness is one of them then the NRC doesn't follow that. Look at James dargaville, apparently picked up a super rugby contract through his performances for the stars in 2014, then because of his brumbies contract is made to play for the Vikings the following year, is this fair to make an already strong Vikings team even stronger at the expense of a club player from Canberra missing out on an opportunity and what reward did the stars get for developing this player?

The only way I can still any sort of national club competition evolve is if something like the Shute Shield looks to involve representative squads from other regions. However, to do this it would require a degree of rationalization which is very unlikely.

 

[Sully]

The NRC doesn't cost anyone any money. Except Foxtel and the punters through the gate.

Sent from my D5833 using Tapatalk

 

[nightnday]

The only way I can still any sort of national club competition evolve is if something like the Shute Shield looks to involve representative squads from other regions. However, to do this it would require a degree of rationalization which is very unlikely.

One of the problems with Rugby is that it is being run out of Sydney and now there is a suggestion to have the National Rugby Championship the NSW Rugby Championship? There are far too many fiefdoms in Rugby as it is.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I'm not actually seriously suggesting we go down the route of an NSW centric NRC equivalent. I am actually a big fan of the NRC as a concept and believe it offers the best vessel moving forward. Or are you referring to something different?

 

[nightnday]

I'm not actually seriously suggesting we go down the route of an NSW centric NRC equivalent. I am actually a big fan of the NRC as a concept and believe it offers the best vessel moving forward. Or are you referring to something different?

I actually wouldn't change too much of the NRC how it is now. If you are looking for parochial fans similar to the Shute Shield then there will need be a clear separation between Super Rugby Clubs and NRC clubs although that would add to the cost of the competition because of the extra administration costs that would be incurred.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I actually wouldn't change too much of the NRC how it is now. If you are looking for parochial fans similar to the Shute Shield then there will need be a clear separation between Super Rugby Clubs and NRC clubs although that would add to the cost of the competition because of the extra administration costs that would be incurred.

The only thing I want to see change in the NRC is to go back to 8 weeks of regular competition in the short term and 10 further down the track. I think it should start and finish with rivalry games. City vs QCountry, Ray vs Rams, NSWCountry vs Vikings and Spirit vs Rising.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

On another note I read a short Q&A with Milo Arona of the Rams. In the article it was mentioned that tickets will be $20 each with kids under 16 and HS kids providing they can show the School ID are free. They also mentioned that members of the affiliated clubs (Parra, Wests, Penrith and Southern) were entitled to half price tickets of $10. They have a raft of activities supposedly planned and everything. Which is great. But I have one major bone to pick with it.

How about the other subbies and junior clubs in their catchment? What about them? Surely the same deal on ticketing should be extended to them. If I were running the community engagement side of things I would be contacting every club in each of the four catchment (Eastwood's as well) and offering this deal. Not only that I would be looking to organise alongside these clubs to get as many numbers as possible to the games.

While I applaud the intent this unfortunately demonstrates the all too narrow view some have of the game in this country. Rug y in Western Sydney aren't just these four clubs. They need to work to engage as many Rugby fans as possible. I would imagine that the prospect of taking the kids to the footy for a miserly $10 would appeal to many.

It's something these franchises need to really get behind. If I were the likes of the VRU and RugbyWA I'd be looking to organise kids events around these games and get among the clubs to promote it. Not just sit back and hope.

 

[p.Tah]

It's something these franchises need to really get behind. If I were the likes of the VRU and RugbyWA I'd be looking to organise kids events around these games and get among the clubs to promote it. Not just sit back and hope.

The Rays organised for many of the local junior clubs in their catchment (Norths, Mosman, Chatswood, Lane Cove, Hornsby etc) to play games before the NRC. Good idea but I think they could do it a bit better (promotion wise) for future games.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

The Rays organised for many of the local junior clubs in their catchment (Norths, Mosman, Chatswood, Lane Cove, Hornsby etc) to play games before the NRC. Good idea but I think they could do it a bit better (promotion wise) for future games.

They have the right idea but I have to defer to you on the execution side of things. It needs to be a wholistic approach. Getting juniors involved playing in the lead in and getting as many subbies players to the games alongside those aligned with the affiliates.

 

[AussieDominance]

The NRC doesn't cost anyone any money. Except Foxtel and the punters through the gate.

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What about the clubs that had to invest in it to fund the ARU's competition and recieve zero support back other than heavy debt.

 

[kiap]

What about the clubs that had to invest in it to fund the ARU's competition and recieve zero support back other than heavy debt.

Partly true. The "had to invest" bit is obviously one of the things that's not true.

Stakeholders chose to be part of it knowing they had to pay their (non-logistics) team costs.

Out of interest, what was the loss for the Rays last two seasons?

A I understand it, the only team that made black ink was the Vikings.

 

[Delphy]

It's something these franchises need to really get behind. If I were the likes of the VRU and RugbyWA I'd be looking to organise kids events around these games and get among the clubs to promote it. Not just sit back and hope.

From the RugbyWA website:

"All games will be FREE to attend, with sausage sizzles, activities for the kids and Junior Rugby being played before hand. We’ve got loads of great prizes on offer and as always you can’t beat watching rugby on the hill with your friends and family. Bring a picnic blanket, or try and win one of ours!"

On Saturday they had an air cannon firing merchandise into the crowd and that had kids and parents alike scrambling for prizes. (Upping the excitement and improving our juniors aerial skills.)

They are also appointing a "Junior Captain" each week to run on with the team and social media engagement seems far better this year across both their official channels and the community rugby sites.

From what I have seen thus far, there has been a step up in promotion at the local level from RugbyWA.

I do think there needs to be more on a national level though. We are still waiting for a worthy successor for the "You don't know me - yet" video.

 

[Caputo]

From the RugbyWA website:

"I do think there needs to be more on a national level though. We are still waiting for a worthy successor for the "You don't know me - yet" video.

Which players would you choose.


Powell, Simone, Hanigan

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Which players would you choose.


Powell, Simone, Hanigan

Dempsey, Perese, Banks. Probably several more.