The long awaited National Rugby Championship is here. There’s plenty of buzz and a genuine feeling that Australian Rugby is on the up. Here’s 5 things that have me pumped up about the NRC…
1. Mid week games on TV.
Sure, this one only applies if you have Foxtel, but I do and as Big Kev used to say, I’m EXCITED!! There’s been lots to like about NZ’s ITM Cup but for me, top of the list is mid week Rugby games on TV. Week nights are my chance to sit down in front of the telly and now at least one night a week I won’t be sitting through mind numbing reality shows or watching re-runs of 90’s sitcoms with my wife, I will be watching live Australian Rugby! So pumped!
2. Getting back to my Rugby roots.
When I’m asked, why I love Rugby, my mind is flooded with images of the games greats, being, well, great! Of some wonderful Rugby experiences like being at Bledisloe Cup games and British & Irish Lions games. Of my own playing days and the sheer fun I had.
But the most prominent image I have, is heading to Ballymore with my Dad when I was a kid. I loved everything about those days. It was Rugby as it should be and the Rugby that I fell in love with. Watching in awe, the drunken antics on the Hill and running on the pitch after the game. Suncorp is a fantastic stadium but Ballymore is the spiritual homeland of Rugby in QLD and I’m so excited we’re heading back there.
3. Seeing the up and coming talent.
Living outside of Brisbane, I don’t get to go to the Premier Grade games. As a result I know nothing about these kids coming through that have a lot of people very excited. Names like Gunn, Kuridrani, Parker and Payne. Even if I lived in Brisbane, players in the Shute Shield and the John I Dent Cup may as well be playing in Uzbekistan for all the good it did me.
The NRC is going to bring these guys right into my living room. Weekly. As well as giving the players exposure, it also serves as a wonderful developmental tool as well. These things can only be good for Australian Rugby! Happy Camper!
4. Adding to my Rugby wardrobe.
I don’t know how many of you out there are as bad as me but I currently own more Rugby jerseys than I could ever wear. It’s a real problem but only because I have to get more creative in terms of how I fit them all in my wardrobe. My other big problem is convincing my wife of why exactly I need yet another jersey. NRC means I have a new team. New team means I need a new jersey. New jersey makes me very happy!
5. Growing the game in Australia
New Zealand has the ITM Cup and South Africa has the Currie Cup. Up until today Australia had no third tier. The NRC has the potential to contribute to the growing of the game in Australia on so many levels.
It exposes younger players to a professional Rugby environment that perhaps never would have had the opportunity. It gives our fringe Wallabies players top quality game time during the Rugby Championship so they are more prepared should they get the call up. It allows the game to grow in areas like Adelaide where at the moment a Super 15 team is not an option but an NRC Team is a distinct possibility in the coming years. But most importantly, it provides a solid link between the grass roots and the Wallabies; a link that’s been missing for too long.
