3rd tier is back in 2014 [Discontinued]

[Snort]

God only knows what the ARU has in mind. It will be a shambles, whatever it is. I'm typing this as slowly as I can because that way Bill Pulver might be able to keep up. South Africa and New Zealand do not have a lot of Rugby playing provinces because they have a "third tier". They have a provincial competition because they have a lot of Rugby playing provinces. It's a very important distinction. Australia has two and a half Rugby playing provinces. Therefore there just are not the cattle to create a vailble third-tier competition and it would make more sense using Rugby's resources to strengthen the base of the pyramid - the clubs.

I know, it's going to happen, but it's all so delusional. I saw Pulver on TV raving about the outstanding standard of the ITM Cup in New Zealand, which only makes me think he watched none of it. Take out Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, and it was awful. The other teams would have struggled in the Shute Shield.

 

[secondfive]

I'm backing the Canberra team to take out the first NRC in 2014

 

[the coach]

Clubs can either submit an EOI in their own right,or in partnership with other club/s.
I heard Pulver on the radio earlier today, almost confirming there will be North & South Brisbane sides.
I doubt the ARU would approve more than one stand alone Club from Sydney.

Copied from The Roar this morning:

ARU PROPOSES NEW NATIONAL COMPETITION:
How the concept will work:
*Eight to 10 teams will participate from around the country
*Competition will run after Super Rugby and club rugby between August-November
*All Super Rugby players not involved with Wallabies will be required to play
*Remaining roster spots to be filled by the best local talent available
*Commission will play a role in spreading talent between teams
*Concept to be funded by Fox, who will broadcast at least one game a week and finals.
PROPOSED TEAMS:
*Perth
*Melbourne
*Canberra
*North Brisbane
*South Brisbane
*Sydney North Harbour
*Sydney Western Suburbs
*Third Sydney team, potentially incorporating east and south
*NSW Country and/or Queensland Country​

 

[Jets]

I think that they have been deliberately vague so that they can say it was open up to everyone. They will install teams in the areas that they want.

 

[MACCA]

I know this is described as being a semi professional comp - what is in it for the players I wonder?

 

[TOCC]

and the pessimists come out to play

 

[suckerforred]

I think one of the important thing that we, as the general rugby punters, need to keep in mind is that no matter what the structure this proposal will fail without the input ($$$$) and support ($$$$$) of us the punters. If we don't turn up to games the comp will not be sustainable & therefore will fold and we will be back to discussing the if, buts, maybes & could have beens of Australian Rugby.

We are not all going to agree with the structure that eventually falls into place, but I think that it will be important for us, as the 'rugby public', to support the comp in what ever way we can whilst continuing to engourage improvement in what ever structure fall out the bottom.

Something is being done and that is more that has been happening for the last however many years. I for one will be attending and watching as many games as I can. Since I am not in a 'major' centre that is going to mean a fair bit of commitment on my part. I suggest we all try to do our little bit in the hope that 5 years down the track we will be moving into RWC2019 in the best shape that we possibly can be.

 

[refugee]

Very vague
Who are the teams, the coaches and the management?

If every S15 player has to play ( only 40 potential wallabies excluded) how many new faces can there be?

 

[Bruce Ross]

I think that they have been deliberately vague so that they can say it was open up to everyone. They will install teams in the areas that they want.

The alternative possibility, Jets, is that "they have been deliberately vague" because they are clueless. The timelines specified for submission of EoIs and announcement of the teams participating lend credence to the probability of a continuation of adherence to the headless chook model of organisational governance.
.

 

[Slim 293]

I know, it's going to happen, but it's all so delusional. I saw Pulver on TV raving about the outstanding standard of the ITM Cup in New Zealand, which only makes me think he watched none of it. Take out Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, and it was awful. The other teams would have struggled in the Shute Shield.

Has the quality of the Shute Shield increased dramatically between now and the end of the 2013 grand final?

 

[Braveheart81]

I know, it's going to happen, but it's all so delusional. I saw Pulver on TV raving about the outstanding standard of the ITM Cup in New Zealand, which only makes me think he watched none of it. Take out Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, and it was awful. The other teams would have struggled in the Shute Shield.

Maybe NZ and SA are doing well and have so much depth because they have a competition whereby the Super Rugby players outside the test squad are playing in a competition where they form between a third and half the number of players in the comp.

I think you are being delusional if you think that outside of the top team or two in Sydney and Brisbane, any of the other clubs would be competitive in the ITM Cup or Currie Cup.

That is the problem that is trying to be addressed. Create a competition where the average player is either Super Rugby standard or close to hence the average quality of each team is high.

 

[the coach]

The alternative possibility, Jets, is that "they have been deliberately vague" because they are clueless. The timelines specified for submission of EoIs and announcement of the teams participating lend credence to the probability of a continuation of adherence to the headless chook model of organisational governance.
.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[wamberal]

Snort,

What are you snorting?


Most of the Sydney clubs are financial basket cases. I don't know much about the other states.

How many clubs throughout Australia should the ARU be subsidising, in your estimation, and how much per club?

Let's say 50 clubs? $200 k per club? $10 mill a year should do it. Will you write the first cheque?

A cost neutral national competition which is on live broadcast is obviously a waste of time. Snort, snort.

 

[Bruce Ross]

and the pessimists come out to play

Surely not; I'm disappointed to read that. We should be like Voltaire's Dr. Pangloss who sagely observed, "Tout est pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes." (All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.) Have faith. This is not the time for doubting the superior wisdom and statesmanship of those who have taken our sport in this country to where it is today.
.

 

[Joe King]

I think one of the important thing that we, as the general rugby punters, need to keep in mind is that no matter what the structure this proposal will fail without the input ($$$$) and support ($$$$$) of us the punters. If we don't turn up to games the comp will not be sustainable & therefore will fold and we will be back to discussing the if, buts, maybes & could have beens of Australian Rugby.

We are not all going to agree with the structure that eventually falls into place, but I think that it will be important for us, as the 'rugby public', to support the comp in what ever way we can whilst continuing to engourage improvement in what ever structure fall out the bottom.

Something is being done and that is more that has been happening for the last however many years. I for one will be attending and watching as many games as I can. Since I am not in a 'major' centre that is going to mean a fair bit of commitment on my part. I suggest we all try to do our little bit in the hope that 5 years down the track we will be moving into RWC2019 in the best shape that we possibly can be.

I think the main way to support it is to buy the memberships, sign up for pay-TV, wear the merchandise.

As turning up to the games, I read this on the Roar (not sure if it's quite right though):

"Meanwhile, the pressure is off in regards to attracting crowds, with gate revenue to be a bonus rather than a requirement for the model to work."

http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/12/11/aru-proposes-a-new-national-rugby-championship/

 

[Train Without a Station]

Snort, you are completely off the point. The problem is the club system, as it dilutes the 3rd tier players across up to 50 teams, as opposed to 8-10, weakening quality that they are playing in.

The whole point is to concentrate the talent. The club system will not enable that as you have 5 competitions trying to get the players playing there.

 

[RugbyReg]

Very vague
Who are the teams, the coaches and the management?

If every S15 player has to play ( only 40 potential wallabies excluded) how many new faces can there be?

well, there are 5 Super Rugby teams and 8-10 NRC teams, take out the Wallabies and it equates to about 5 or so teams of 'new' players, which includes players in the Super squads not getting a run at a higher level.

 

[Joe King]

Yesterday's announcement hasn't cleared up my confusion about the "clubs" competing in the NRC. Are they existing premier clubs (eg Sydney University) or are they made-up clubs like last time (eg Sydney Fleet) with players from several SS clubs combined?

Does anyone know for sure or is this just one of the details not announced yet? I note that the actual clubs won't be announced until February, but I would have thought the ARU would know how they will be structured.

If it is the old ARC model then I'm interested to know where the new clubs will get the money to pay coaching staff etc. I can't believe the ARU believes gates receipts will cover the costs not borne by the ARU (eg player payments). If it's existing clubs then the tribal loyalties will surely boost gate takings etc.

Don't know how helpful this is, but from the Australian:

"It has been done on an incredibly cost-effective basis. The key to the financial viability of the NRC is leveraging Super Rugby infrastructure.
"We have existing coaches and players on contract."

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...ent-competition/story-e6frg7o6-1226780155563#

 

[hawktrain]

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1964775/nhru-keen-on-national-rugby-competition/?cs=306

Newcastle union says they're interested in having a team. As much as I'd like to see it happen, it won't.

 

[Bruce Ross]

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1964775/nhru-keen-on-national-rugby-competition/?cs=306

Newcastle union says they're interested in having a team. As much as I'd like to see it happen, it won't.

Perhaps big Nathan might like to sponsor the team, although I'd be inclined to try to get his money upfront.
.