Third Tier 2026

[JRugby2]

I don't necessarily disagree JR2 - but I'll play devils advocate and ask this.

What if I support one of the shitter teams in the Shute Shield or QPR? One of the many teams who haven't won anything of note for decades.

Now you chuck us into a national competition, and I watch the same team get pantsed by every club in Australia.

Does that damage the club brand in a negative sense where if you're consistently bottom 2-3 in your local comp and then bottom 2-3 in the national competition its going to make it harder to attract decent players?

I can see that being a potential deterrent for clubs to want to put their hands up.

Obviously I don't know for sure but I would doubt that unless you're club was one of the 'big ones' with a bit of cash - if you're consistently bottom 3 you wouldn't get a look in anyway.

But assume you were put into the national comp - I'm guessing you'd find players "magically" appear at training and super teams sending your their squad members to make sure they were getting games. You might find that your fortunes turn around at least locally - though I doubt that would do much to improve the amount of people who follow your club.

 

[PhilClinton]

Obviously I don't know for sure but I would doubt that unless you're club was one of the 'big ones' with a bit of cash - if you're consistently bottom 3 you wouldn't get a look in anyway.

But assume you were put into the national comp - I'm guessing you'd find players "magically" appear at training and super teams sending your their squad members to make sure they were getting games. You might find that your fortunes turn around at least locally - though I doubt that would do much to improve the amount of people who follow your club.

And the highlighted point is probably the other problem. What happens to the poor clubs? Any club left out likely dies a slow and painful death over the next 10 years as they lack the exposure of the richer clubs and their player numbers dwindle.

I know that was one of the major problems with the proposed teams in NRC Version 1 and why the QRU ended up taking control of the QLD based teams.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Create have and have nots ruining your existing club comps, or create new teams that no-one cares about that take decades to build into something

Th eternal dilemma of the third tier that has never been resolved

 

[JRugby2]

And the highlighted point is probably the other problem. What happens to the poor clubs? Any club left out likely dies a slow and painful death over the next 10 years as they lack the exposure of the richer clubs and their player numbers dwindle.

I know that was one of the major problems with the proposed teams in NRC Version 1 and why the QRU ended up taking control of the QLD based teams.

Couldn't agree more mate - I don't see a club version happening. I think the next version of the NRC if we ever get one (of which I'm doubtful) will either be what we're doing this year but somehow expanded or a return to the old NRC format (ie 8-10 new teams).

Most likely we just rugby Super AU somewhere in the August-October slot for a while.