I think the general sentiment of having extra players available is correct, but it would have to be prearranged, not left as a last minute thing on game day.
Need to remember 1st grade in Australia isn’t professional. Not every player will be sitting around on a weekend waiting to get a Covid call up for a Super team, they have jobs, families, other interests etc.
A more practical solution is RA funding a ‘Covid Squad’ for each team. A group of say 10 players from local clubland who are absolute last resort options. They don’t need to necessarily train with the team much, just be ready to play on a weekend if needed, and would travel with the team interstate. Travel costs would be covered and they’d be paid a nominal sum on weekends to make sure they’re available.
Yes I don’t think super rugby sides can afford the financial burden of having extra squad players to cover Covid scenarios. There are better financial last resort options then thisSuper Rugby teams already carry extra players on matchday anyway, up to and including during warm-up in case someone is a last minute scratching. It would simply be a case of each team carrying a couple more then they usually do
Reds have already announced that they are going into a bubble with Ballymore locked down. If the season proceeds with bubbles in place , there will be no shortage of “extras” from each team keen for a run regardless of who that is for.Super Rugby teams already carry extra players on matchday anyway, up to and including during warm-up in case someone is a last minute scratching. It would simply be a case of each team carrying a couple more then they usually do
Reds have already announced that they are going into a bubble with Ballymore locked down. If the season proceeds with bubbles in place , there will be no shortage of “extras” from each team keen for a run regardless of who that is for.
Hopefully not a repeat of 2020 where we saw the extended squads playing next to no footy and effectively being used as opposed training.
I spoke to an NRL ref recently who outlined their "biosecurity bubble" policies and procedures last season.
They were very intrusive, policed heavily, and gave the Qld government no leeway to say "you weren't protecting the community."
I don't like the expression, but sooner or later we have to learn to live with the virus.I wonder if our Super teams will have to go through all that this coming season.
yep but probably later is better so more preperation at hospitals etcI don't like the expression, but sooner or later we have to learn to live with the virus.
BBL apparently is establishing a group of club players to act as reserves for the whole comp. Sides in trouble can call on players from that group to cover losses if I understand it properly.
Might add some credence to proposals here to do much the same in Super Rugby.
My understanding was they aren't "club cricketers" they are guys from within the current squads that will struggle for a game unless a team is gutted like the stars & heat were.
I think in most cities there are tight forwards who have been there or there abouts who would be happy to have a crack if needed. I’m thinking players like Ed Craig, Tim Metcher, et al, who have trained at Super Rugby level and gone back to clubland. I used those names as examples, as I’m not sure where those guys are playing now, but guys that were close, but for whatever reason didn’t quite make it. But I’m happy to see the third string Reds LHP on the bench for the rebels if that’s what’s needed in a game in Brizzie to get a game happening if that’s what’s needed.BBL apparently is establishing a group of club players to act as reserves for the whole comp. Sides in trouble can call on players from that group to cover losses if I understand it properly.
Might add some credence to proposals here to do much the same in Super Rugby.