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Australian Rugby / RA

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Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
Tomthumb said:
Surely they can move the top 14 schedule a couple of weeks? The fact they won’t even entertain these things is more proof French rugby doesn’t give a monkeys about World Rugby and why we should take their opinions and do the exact opposite
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Agree, they could definitely shift the Top 14 schedule a bit. Their refusal to even consider it shows how little they care about World Rugby. We should take their stance with a grain of salt and do the opposite!
 
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Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
Braveheart81 said:
I think it is more a case of the Top 14 being so rich and powerful that the FFR is largely beholden to them.
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Exactly. The Top 14’s wealth and influence mean the FFR is mostly at their mercy, making it tough to push for changes prioritizing international rugby over their domestic interests.
 
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Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
PhilClinton said:
I wonder what the viewership would be like for a Monday or Tuesday night RC test during the crossover period of NRL/AFL finals.

You’d have to assume in person attendance would be quite bad, but it’s not like the test matches played on the weekend are selling out instantly either. Potentially something for a once a year regional test match - $20 tickets in Townsville or Wollongong but the real focus would be on generating TV viewership during what is a congested time of year.
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A Monday or Tuesday night RC test during NRL/AFL finals would be interesting. In-person attendance might struggle, but given weekend tests aren’t selling out either, it’s worth exploring. A regional match with affordable tickets in places like Townsville or Wollongong could draw a crowd, while the real focus would be on boosting TV viewership in a busy sports period. It could be a unique way to stand out amidst the competition.
 
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Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
Tomthumb said:
Yeah but the fact there is zero public resistance from the union or players like Dupont to this nonsense makes them complicit IMO

They are big tough guys when it comes to criticism of World Rugby, cowards when it comes to the clubs. They’re a joke
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Absolutely, the lack of public resistance from the union and players like Dupont shows complicity. They're quick to criticize World Rugby but silent on club issues, which makes them look like cowards. It's frustrating!
 
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Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
Omar Comin' said:
French rugby has arguably been THE primary driver of growth in international rugby due to the fact it's club competitions are so open to foreign players. All the top emerging/tier 2 nations would be significantly weaker without it and Argentina likely would never have got to where they are without it.

We in Australia and NZ should look at their Top 14 with envy.
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Definitely! French rugby has played a crucial role in international growth by embracing foreign players in its club competitions. Without this, many emerging and tier-2 nations would be much weaker, and Argentina’s success might not have happened. Australia and NZ should certainly look at the Top 14 with envy for its openness and competitiveness.
 
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Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
Omar Comin' said:
Hostage? They get paid well to play in the top club league in the world. Before the Drua it was the only top level professional opportunities many of them had. They could be semi-pro or amateur and play for Fiji, or play professionally in Super Rugby etc but not play for Fiji (because all the other club competitions have very few spots for players not eligible for the nation of those clubs).

Fiji have become a genuine threat at test level because their best players can play at the highest level and still represent Fiji.
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Exactly! Players in the Top 14 and Super Rugby are well-compensated and have opportunities that many wouldn't have otherwise. Before the Drua, professional avenues were limited, forcing players to choose between club and country. Now, with the ability to play at the highest level while representing Fiji, the national team has truly become a competitive force. This model has significantly boosted Fiji's standing in international rugby.
 
R

Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
Wallaby Man said:
I actually have no issue with clubs behaving like this. Yes it’s not great for the wider game and in an ideal world it wouldn’t happen. But there isn’t anyone pointing a gun at anyone’s head, there is always a choice for players to take a contract elsewhere (probably for less money) and get the conditions they want.

At the end of the day, rugby is a different workplace to what all of us would know, there is zero value in you unless you are on the field. It’s a strange example but what we essentially ask for would be like asking your workplace to go to another workplace for a period of time and potentially coming back with a broken arm and not able to perform your duties correctly but still been expected to be paid properly.

What probably needs to happen is the players in France to unionize and demand a shorter season, but most the clubs are losing entities and expect the owner to clear debts. Until value increases further asking them to play less games and therefore generate less income is expecting them to cover more debt over the year.
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You make a valid point. While it’s not ideal for the wider game, players have choices when it comes to contracts, and no one is forcing them into these situations. Rugby is unique in that players' value is tied to their on-field performance, making it a tough environment. The comparison to a traditional workplace highlights the risks players take.

Unionizing to demand a shorter season could be beneficial, but with many clubs struggling financially, asking for fewer games could be unrealistic. Clubs need to balance player welfare with financial sustainability, which complicates the issue even further.
 
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Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
Ignoto said:
First they weasel their way out of paying us for rugby matches, then they oppose new ways of playing rugby and now they're going after an innocent Rocky Elsom.
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It’s outrageous! First, they avoid paying for matches, then resist new playing styles, and now they’re attacking Rocky Elsom. This behavior is completely unacceptable!
 
Wilson

Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
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Omar Comin'

Omar Comin'

Chilla Wilson (44)
Tomthumb said:
That’s great, but they could do all that while moving the comps start and end date a couple of weeks, right?

The fact you seem to think because they throw money around it should mean they shouldn’t even try to find a middle ground speaks volumes as far as I’m concerned

Stop acting like these clubs are interested in any way helping anyone but themselves. They sign foreign players because they are often cheaper and there aren’t enough good French players available. then put the squeeze on them playing for their country any chance they get
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I'm not against dates being moved, just making the point that French club rugby has been incredibly important to the growth of global rugby, regardless of the motivation. I would argue that France actually has the best balance between club and international rugby out of anyone, because both generate huge support and commercial success. When I say we should be envious of the Top 14, I mean in the sense that they've essentially got an AFL/NRL style competition AND test rugby.

Imagine a scenario where the rugby codes merged back together and Australian rugby now had the NRL and test rugby, and I think you'd find we'd be in a pretty similar position with the club vs test rugby balance shifting a little further towards the clubs.

I don't think that's a bad thing. Rugby is still a fairly closed shop outside of France and the underdeveloped club game hinders the growth of the sport. In soccer or basketball the best player in the world could come from anywhere and be a household name, even if they never played in the world cup/olympics. This is not the case in rugby.
 
Highlander35

Highlander35

Steve Williams (59)
I don't mean to break up the circlejerk, but it feels like there has been quite a significant realignment of Club/International Scheduling from European Rugby over the past 5 years.

European clubs shifted their seasons to accommodate for the changing of the June International Window to a July one about 4 years ago (which may have gotten lost in the COVID shenanagins) which theoretically allowed for Super Rugby to run its course as a single uninterrupted competition instead of resuming after the tours.

URC and Premiership, have reduced regular season games from 22 down to 18 games, and the EPCR competitions have been reduced from 9 games down to 8.

The Top 14 semi regularly played its final series deep into June: look at the 2015-16 Top 14 Season, where the final was played on the same weekend as France's 2nd (and final) test against Argentina on the weekend of 25/26 June, now the latest the final is played is that last weekend in June: while the FFR and other Unions may choose not to select players due to fatigue/workload/lack of time to train with the squad, they will be "available" to play without a domestic conflict.
 
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Rhino_rugby

Allen Oxlade (6)
Highlander35 said:
I don't mean to break up the circlejerk, but it feels like there has been quite a significant realignment of Club/International Scheduling from European Rugby over the past 5 years.

European clubs shifted their seasons to accommodate for the changing of the June International Window to a July one about 4 years ago (which may have gotten lost in the COVID shenanagins) which theoretically allowed for Super Rugby to run its course as a single uninterrupted competition instead of resuming after the tours.

URC and Premiership, have reduced regular season games from 22 down to 18 games, and the EPCR competitions have been reduced from 9 games down to 8.

The Top 14 semi regularly played its final series deep into June: look at the 2015-16 Top 14 Season, where the final was played on the same weekend as France's 2nd (and final) test against Argentina on the weekend of 25/26 June, now the latest the final is played is that last weekend in June: while the FFR and other Unions may choose not to select players due to fatigue/workload/lack of time to train with the squad, they will be "available" to play without a domestic conflict.
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European rugby has adjusted its schedule significantly over the last five years. Clubs shifted to accommodate the July international window, reducing regular-season games and aligning better with international fixtures. Top 14 finals now finish by late June, allowing players to be available for internationals without domestic conflicts.
 
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