WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I agree they could do a lot more with it (or maybe it's us, NZ and SA who really should be doing more) but it is a little tricky monetizing age grade rugby when it's not fully professional. Can easily stray onto exploitative territory. Definitely not an argument against though, more a reminder that they need to tread carefully.
SANZAAR should definitely be doing more. I actually think they should take some initiative here and set up a U20s Rugby Championship particularly leading into the JWC. Touring up north in November would also help.
I actually think there's a couple options here. The first, a U20s Pacific Cup/SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) but from our position running with abridged participation. More along the lines of what NZRU tried to squeeze by with us running only 3 'centres' being Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra. With Canberra drawing players from both Melbourne and Perth. Could be joined by the 5 NZ franchises. The 3 PIs and even Junior Japan. Run it alongside SRP (Super Rugby Pacific).
The other would be to do something I've suggested above locally with our SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) extended squads. Take the 5 'A' squads and run a schedule involving the U20s home and away for 10 games. Both would be followed by a U20s Rugby Championship already leading into the JWC.