OZ Super 15 Roster 2012 - How does it work?

[spectator]

I've seen bits and pieces in numerous threads and I'm not even sure whether there has been a thread dedicated to this, but how is next year going to work?

As far as I can gather each Franchise will have a 30 man squad. Does this include rookie contracts or are they additional? If the latter, how many are there allowed?

How does the Academy set up work? As I understand it, there will be an ARU Academy and all state academies will be disbanded. Is this right and what does it mean exactly? Does each state 'caretake' a number of ARU academy members locally, and how many in each state? Is it true that the Academy will be a pool arrangement whereby States can select any player from anywhere if there is a requirement?

Apologies if this is repetition.

 

[#1 Tah]

Can I add to this and ask how the competition will work in a non world cup year?

I have heard rumours about four byes, playing every team and a break for June Tests. Is any of this true?

 

[Lee Grant]

speckie

Great questions about the academy but I don't think that many folks outside of the rugby industry know the answers. No doubt the ARU will put us on the drip feed and give us some incomplete morsels from time to time.

At their convenience of course.

 

[PaarlBok]

There will be a break for the June tests.

 

[tigerland12]

What I've gathered is 30 contracted players with 5 rookie contracts.

There will be a national academy with one based in Brisbane and 2 based in Sydney with any state being able to access that pool of players if needed.

 

[Slim 293]

Gotta love the de-evolution of Australian rugby...

 

[spectator]

Just borrowing from another thread, there also appears to be an "Ëxtended squad". Not sure how many players fit here, nor how they might be compensated.

 

[RugbyReg]

What I've gathered is 30 contracted players with 5 rookie contracts.

There will be a national academy with one based in Brisbane and 2 based in Sydney with any state being able to access that pool of players if needed.

I think that's pretty much it, although I don't think there is a definite location for the Academies, but Sydney and Brisbane most likely.

You get the feeling those players are most likely to be players being developed by the ARU for the Under 20 comp and the Aussie 7s team. So won't necessarily be Super Rugby ready. The states will have to look at their own structures underneath to provide such players.

As to the questions about the comp. Not sure about 4 byes, haven't seen that, but there will be a 3 week break mid-season for the incoming tests (Wales I think) before the Super comp continues.

 

[tigerland12]

Yeah the only real positive I can see from the new academy system is the development of the u20's and 7's sides

 

[country rugby]

so, its nearly september, has been no rumblings about the academy selections, young fellows probably would like to know sooner rather than later what they will be doing next year, whether it be playing rugby or looking for employment. Any of you who seem to have your ear to the ground heard anything yet?

 

[Bowside]

so, its nearly september, has been no rumblings about the academy selections, young fellows probably would like to know sooner rather than later what they will be doing next year, whether it be playing rugby or looking for employment. Any of you who seem to have your ear to the ground heard anything yet?

I think offers have been made to certain players, and the ARU is in the process of finalising the squads.

I dont like this idea at all. I think it will further kill off provincial rivalries. I'd like to see 5 academies, and I'd like to see them playing each other before inter-conference super rugby games, as well as some games against the pacific teams when the super rugby team is on tour. More high quality rugby is what's needed, not more 'training'.