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I think you are right - Australia can't afford to pay what [some] players deserve. Let them ply their trade overseas, and run a semi-pro Comp domestically in Australia. Cross border competition is very important, but it doesn't have to be in a Super Rugby Structure - that is dead.

Disagree again - IMO you don't need the Kiwis in a dedicated system; ditch Super Rugby - you need a competitive domestic Comp [not QPL or Shute Shield - leave that as it is for Colts and 2nd Tier]. Then add [in parallel] a Cross Country Comp [see below]. An idea has been floated is for a...

At a certain level that makes sense - part fee to the player, part fee to the Club. That way, the Club [should] then invest in the next crop of talent, funded by their efforts in developing the transferring player.....easier said than done though.

I think that is a fair assessment - and the Aus Rugby Union Players will need to take that on-board; they are paid too much in Australia for a sport [in Australia] that can't afford them. They should, though, have the choice to ply their trade overseas - as it is not that they are overpaid...

It's only AUS that don't manage it - NZ manage it and then go into their NPC, SA play domestic rugby successfully in Europe (best decision they made), and Argentinian players already play in Europe.

At least SA are staying in the Rugby Championship for now - if the National Team followed in their Super Rugby teams' footsteps that would be a problem.

Whole of Europe plays close to double the number of games the Aus Super Rugby Teams play - there are 35 players in each AU Super Rugby Team? I looked at a couple of the English teams - and they have around 40 squad numbers, but that also includes their Elite Academy players - and those players who are not...

"or do it starting at the end of September and finish in early November in line with the under 16 and under 19 Australian Super Rugby comp." That idea I do like - align the U19s with the Super Rugby AU Senior Squad playing locations - some would even be pushing for the senior level. Stan...

I think it is better idea than no idea - only issue is that I don't think people care much about the State Rugby [Super teams] compared to the Club teams they support in the Tier below [QPL, Shute Shield etc.]. I would be tempted to run a Club Comp later in the season from the top Clubs in each...

European Clubs play close to 30 games a year [maybe more if they get to the finals of everything]. Domestic Pro Club + European Championship - Super Rugby is half that? Australia plays far too few games.

"It can also be revealed that Victorian taxpayers are forking out $50,000 each time the Rebels play at AAMI Stadium." Let's hope they don't have to settle their AAMI Stadium Debt of 1mio+ before they are allowed play there again - as that is not in the RA bailout deal.

Interesting to see the players selected for Trial #2 - depending on injury availabilty.

The Waratahs need to trial some more players - if they're not already injured. Well played to the Rebels - AFR quotes the cost to RA to be 5mio for 2024 to keep them in Super Rugby [that's not dealing with any debts to ATO or Stadium Fees]. Therefore, one NRL player [over 3 years] = 1 Victorian Super Rugby Team...

France decision to play a couple of their youngsters (U20s I think) backfired - Ireland were clinical, but both #10s have work to do. France #9 was awful - agreed.

I have watched many games there - it is a super [albeit small] ground and traditional Club House. Jersey [Reds rather that JRFC] have/had a few key issues - the ground is too small, and crowds too low around 1500 [luckily the ground is owned by the JRFC Amateur Club rather than the Reds when...

Not to completely sidetrack from a bad situation for [Rebels] players and fans, but the point above is well made about Ireland - Irish have been very passionate about their provinces for 100s of years, which is why a regional setup there works. The same is NOT true for England or France, hence...

Over 76,000 at Twickenham to watch that English Club game, but equally impressive was a sell-out of over 15,000 at Exeter Chiefs - shows you don't need huge stadiums to host professional rugby teams that supporters are passionate about. Ten teams in the England Rugby Premiership mixed full of...

'I'm happy with the clarification replacing "centralisation" with "integration and performance alignment".' Hopefully Horne and Nucifora will shake up the regional pathways system, cut out the cronyism, and allow the genuine cream to rise to the top – not just U20s etc., but some excellent...

Hahaha - oxymoron indeed (maybe they missed out the word 'kicking'?); but on a serious note, it will be interesting to see how Colts [and Grade] Coaches approach attack [and defence] with the new tackle height rule changes, and the mandate to enforce the 'existing law preventing a ball carrier...

Wonder who Waratahs appoint as their NSW U19 Coach next season - given the success of the NSW U16 and U18 this year, perhaps one of them moves up an age group [or three].