National Rugby Championship 2014

[WorkingClassRugger]

For those having difficulty with the Easts/ NSW Country partnership - any NSW Country affiliated side will train in Sydney and be mostly made up of Country origin players, most of which are playing in the SS now. Any partnership with Easts will be the same as any of the other partnerships with Easts and NSW Country having a say in the players, coaches and administration of the side.

Yes they will play games in Country venues but this isn't so bad as it brings some good standard rugby to those areas (Central West NSW - Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange - is a big Rugby area and one area where the game is growing and competing well against Country RL).

I think its a smart move as in this partnership they will have a leading role in the partnership and will be better placed than having to come to grips with existing "troubles" between them and other Sydney based sides. Also, NSW Country can possibly come to the party with financing and will be happy to create some form of relationship with a Sydney side - a possible pathway for promising Country players to enter teh SS

I happy to hear NSW Country are looking to get in on the action and that they will be taking their games to the country itself. It would provide a real point of difference to other codes where the country is severely underrepresented.

 

[the coach]

That's a bit tough on Easts. Some of them have been to Homebush, that's the country isn't it?

A mate of mine think's anywhere west of Anzac Parade is "the sticks"

 

[the coach]

An Easts Country consortia can't possibly work, the cultural differences are too big. The Eastern suburbs are just full of latte drinking vegans, country people drink beer and eat meat, Eastern suburbs go to art shows and the opera, country go to cattle sales and country and westerns. What music could they possibly play during the games? Are they going to offer lentil burgers at the games? This will never work.

At least with North Harbour they can all talk about their property prices and the last auction result. Western Sydney can talk about hotting up their cars and the latest air ram super charged turbo thingy. Sydney Uni and Balmain can talk about the role of gender equality in the front row and how gender stereotypes influenced left wing selections during the 1960s. There are cultural common values.

This East Country thing isn't thought out.

As a left winger from the 60's who drinks latte and beer (not to mention the odd glass of red wine) I take exception to your remarks, but I will defend for ever your right to espouse such nonsense. As to choice of music, I'd suggest Jimmy Barnes backed by the SSO would bridge the divide.

 

[Train Without a Station]

My only issues with any Country JV, Partnership or being based in the city but playing games roving the country is the potential that it may be to forced and fake, lacking real substance, much like the problem with the initial ARC franchises.

Everybody is throwing up plenty of reasons why every possible option would not work, but it seems to be accepted that if they just throw a game in the bush people will roll up from all over to see it.

 

[the coach]

My only issues with any Country JV, Partnership or being based in the city but playing games roving the country is the potential that it may be to forced and fake, lacking real substance, much like the problem with the initial ARC franchises.

Everybody is throwing up plenty of reasons why every possible option would not work, but it seems to be accepted that if they just throw a game in the bush people will roll up from all over to see it.

Train, you could say the same think about the whole concept of the NRC.

The key (IMO) to making it work is sustainability. It's inevitable that there will be mistakes made along the way and it will take time to develop and grow, but the ARU must keep it going beyond the initial 2 years.

I have a real concern over their ability and intestinal fortitude to keep going with something if it doesn't yield immediate success. Let's hope they do and that it doesn't bleed money like the ARC did.

 

[Hugie]

Coach,
As you can see I was trying to cover everyone with gratuitous, unjustified stereotypes.
I think I got everyone and some people twice.

 

[Battalion]

For those having difficulty with the Easts/ NSW Country partnership - any NSW Country affiliated side will train in Sydney and be mostly made up of Country origin players, most of which are playing in the SS now. Any partnership with Easts will be the same as any of the other partnerships with Easts and NSW Country having a say in the players, coaches and administration of the side.

Yes they will play games in Country venues but this isn't so bad as it brings some good standard rugby to those areas (Central West NSW - Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange - is a big Rugby area and one area where the game is growing and competing well against Country RL).

I think its a smart move as in this partnership they will have a leading role in the partnership and will be better placed than having to come to grips with existing "troubles" between them and other Sydney based sides. Also, NSW Country can possibly come to the party with financing and will be happy to create some form of relationship with a Sydney side - a possible pathway for promising Country players to enter teh SS

thanks. i take it there would need to be a transition for country players out of other ss teams and across to easts. this would need to happen after current ss season correct? vice versa might be true also. local beachside players at easts might move to other ss clubs? maybe first trading season between ss clubs? hopefully can be done maturely.

not against this. in principal all ss clubs in future should have local talent as much as possible. great to see country team also.

 

[Quick Hands]

If Easts and Country can make it work and it's funded and it meets the criteria (whatever they are today) I have no particular objection. In fact I have no particular objection to jvs, as long as they work.

I've always thought the Randwick stand-alone option was poor on the basis that it didn't even meet the vague criteria released by the ARU and I also thought that the SE clubs should follow the lead of the northern clubs for the good of the game. Clearly that isn't going to happen.

Will we reach 27 March and still have no teams announced or is the 1 April the new date?

 

[RugbyFuture]

theres no set date, all they said when they changed it last time was end of march/start of april.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

 

[Dave Beat]

thanks. i take it there would need to be a transition for country players out of other ss teams and across to easts. this would need to happen after current ss season correct? vice versa might be true also. local beachside players at easts might move to other ss clubs? maybe first trading season between ss clubs? hopefully can be done maturely.

not against this. in principal all ss clubs in future should have local talent as much as possible. great to see country team also.

I do think the players need to be of country origin though given it it a "country" team.

 

[Battalion]

ok, be good to see a quick finish here. 5 nsw teams with comments.

4 - manly, norths, warringah, gordon
organised as hell. leaders of how to go about a jv.

4 - west habour, parramatta, penrith, eastwood.
should by rights go back to being called greater western sydney if souths moving out of consortium.

1 - uni sydney. with balmain.
uni sydney pro ss team. can go it alone. good marriage with balmain.

1 - easts. with country nsw players.
easts will become a stronghold for country players. country alignment.

2 - southern districts, randwick
perhaps alignment with wooloongong?
team name suggestions anyone? bondi botany bay?

 

[RugbyFuture]

doubt souths will go back to the randwick consortium, theres a reason they left.

 

[Train Without a Station]

I do think the players need to be of country origin though given it it a "country" team.

And that's where my issue lies.

Do they have to be from the Country to play for them? That puts a silly unique restriction on them. Not every player from North Harbour will have grown up there for example.

So their made up of country players? Then how are they country? Why are country regions going to get behind them? People aren't just going to see the name "Country" tacked on and fall head over heels over them.

I like the idea of a country team but I think based on constraints this competition needs to work in they need to be going with simple options that will work easily. And there is a little too much difficulty and risk associated with a country team initially. Come next Sanzar TV rights it may be a different story and the ARU may have a spare million or two sitting between the sofa cushions to adequately drive this the way the AFL has done with GWS and Gold Coast.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

A mate of mine think's anywhere west of Anzac Parade is "the sticks"

I went to Uni with a bloke who grew up in Beach Road Coogee. For him, "The West" began at Arden Street. Anzac Parade was like the foot of the Blue Mountains to him.

@Hughie, I think you are being harsh on the Beastie Supporters with that cruel remark about venturing as far west as Homebush. Those educated at Scots regularly venture into the deep west of North Parramatta, and don't complain all that much about the annual expedition to Penruff Lakes for the HOTR.

On the other hand, the Cranbrook folk are renowned for their ability to get as far West as Summer Hill. I have heard of a couple of Cranbrook families (ok it was Rebecca Wilson) who could even get there without needing their TomTom.

 

[Battalion]

ok. thanks rf. should tip the hat to the west's jv also.

do you think south's will stay with greater sydney alliance?

anyone got line of sight on what is happening north of the border?

 

[Battalion]

Why are country regions going to get behind them? People aren't just going to see the name "Country" tacked on and fall head over heels over them.

most of dubbo/orange/bathurst will rock up to watch a good game of footy. particularly if local boys are playing.

I like the idea of a country team but I think based on constraints this competition needs to work in they need to be going with simple options that will work easily. And there is a little too much difficulty and risk associated with a country team initially. Come next Sanzar TV rights it may be a different story and the ARU may have a spare million or two sitting between the sofa cushions to adequately drive this the way the AFL has done with GWS and Gold Coast.

basically if a player wants to play for nsw country, they would need to relocate to sydney. will see how things evolve i guess. sanza tv rights will be a biggie.

the upside of a country side should be greater than any risk. a country team will be fairly unique. should add to the mix of entire nrc. this is the lense we need to see it through. a total nrc mix. let's see how it goes.

 

[RugbyFuture]

Southern were pretty happy with the rams setup last I heard. They were involved in that setup before anything on the rays even came out, so think its pretty concrete. Rams have been on a quiet and driven effort to make sure Western and Southern Sydney have the best representation in both community involvement and winning rugby in the comp since november/december when it was announced.

 

[Battalion]

they're going to be hard to beat. which is good. important for them to be successful.

 

[Dave Beat]

A bit of waffle.
When Mr Pulver was given the head job of the ARU he brought with him a pretty impressive CV.

·He suggested the NRC and provided a time line.
·He allowed EPI’s so all sorts of consortiums could provide ideas (40+)
·He received bids / business plans from I think 11 but who would know that to be 100% correct, or who they are.

The way this is dragging on IMO reflects badly not only on our sport, but our governing body. Gee imagine if the AFL / ARL with their media exposure took this long to deliberate over something that has gone past a release date.

Imagine if it was like the homework the Australian Cricketers were given – our board would be sent home packing.

IMO It is quite obvious that one or more bids just don’t work “for now”. If they don’t work simply reduce the numbers to best 8 teams, and grow to 10 going forward.

Since Pulver has come in, things are happening, he is making changes, and there are many more changes suggested on GAGR. Some of these changes wont provide instant results – but evolution is change. With a bit of wise thinking other areas will be reviewed;
The decline in the Juniors started long before Pulver came on board.
The stranglehold of the Private Schools came long before Pulver came on board.
As for change – look at Parramatta 4 years ago, and let’s see how they fair this year – and they are in a strong rugby league area.

Do they have to be from the Country to play for them? That puts a silly unique restriction on them. Not every player from North Harbour will have grown up there for example.

So their made up of country players? Then how are they country? Why are country regions going to get behind them? People aren't just going to see the name "Country" tacked on and fall head over heels over them.

My concern is the cost and travel associated with Country, and I say that without allot of knowledge. Full time workers, team training, travel etc. A country side has been put together for the one off Sydney v Country games in the past so it can work. It has consisted of country players, and some country players who are running around in the SS.


Whilst I say I love the idead of country being involved - compare that to say the Vic / WA bid - a team (less a couple of Wallabies) that will have been working professionally together with professional coaches for most of the Super 15 season.

Gee I'm quite sure Sydney Uni has quite a few players of country origin running around in Blue and Gold hoops, so who would they play for?

We've had some great country players’ play for the Wallabies over the years, my concern with regards to having country involved is cost.

I thought the NSW NRC would be simple Nth / Sth / West (& UNI)

 

[Hugie]

If you all remember the good burgers of the East got rid of the Royal Agricultural show grounds so that they could have movie studio (more to their liking). They had it relocated to the country, where it should be, Homebush.

I tell you Eastern suburbs types don't like country folk and won't have them east of ANZAC parade, they won't be playing at Coogee oval.