LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
I think the squads being picked for the Super teams' overseas tours align with that thinking, and I'd imagine that would permeate into a competition such as this should it get off the ground.
Australian Rugby / RA
- Thread starter Dave Beat
- Start date
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Watty Friend (18)
For this concept of a third-tier you guys are proposing, is the purpose just for development of players? Or is it to drive fan interest? because if we have stale "Waratahs A" sides no one going to be watching that. No one barely even watches the 1st team.
If run with premier grade clubs (yes i know it is a large logistical & financial challenge), I would bet money on it driving more fan interest and engagement.
If run with premier grade clubs (yes i know it is a large logistical & financial challenge), I would bet money on it driving more fan interest and engagement.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
I don't understand your logic here.
While no-one watches the Tahs, there are more in the crowd than all premier grade club games combined most weeks aren't there?
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Maybe a play on the existing name, eg, the Brumbies Wild Bush Horses. The flowering Waratahs (kidding).
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
The Tahs averaged over 12k a game last season. As someone who has been involved in club rugby and as someone that still tunes in on a regular basis you could likely combine all of the crowds most every week with the exception of the Manly/Warringah derby which would draw between 6-8k at most twice a season and still fall comfortably short. This whole belief that there are thousands turning up to game and many multiples of that watching on Stan all stems from two GF they hosted at Nth Sydney Oval several year ago. Something that's not been replicated since.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
And that is just because North Sydney Oval is fucking great to drink beer at in the arvo.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
Jokes aside, even if there’s clear alignment, think it dilutes the brand/competition a touch, and again creates another barrier of entry for fans. NRC and the comps that preceded it also struggled with this, and it’d be misguided to just think it’ll work this time.
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Watty Friend (18)
If premier grade had all of the fringe tahs and wallabies and played interstate games. it defintely would have much more interest.
I barely watch any prem games now, but in this period now if they where played and had a couple of pro players versing the best brisbane had to offer, id be there.
Crowds would definitely pick up if they played in this period since there nothing else. Consider all the people who are playing subbies, sjru and school rugby. Usually all at the same time in the regular season.
I barely watch any prem games now, but in this period now if they where played and had a couple of pro players versing the best brisbane had to offer, id be there.
Crowds would definitely pick up if they played in this period since there nothing else. Consider all the people who are playing subbies, sjru and school rugby. Usually all at the same time in the regular season.
dru
David Wilson (68)
Sanity might just be prevailing when it comes to a third tier:
From:
Major injury blow, prop departure as Brumbies brace for headaches
The Brumbies front-row could look very different next season.www.canberratimes.com.au
Has anyone checked what the SRU agitators think of this proposal?
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
All of the fringe/non Wallaby Tahs play in the Shute Shield now and their presence has little effect. Have had Wallabies play and they don't draw in crowds. One player here and there isn't going to change much.
You said you barely watch any prem Rugby. Well I do watch it and the crowds aren't there.
stoff
Trevor Allan (34)
As a subset of super rugby, anyone who has any interest in it will get it. I don't think there is an audience to be confused by it.
Without having thought about it too much I think alongside the under 16/19s is pretty good timing.
Super Rugby finishes, players go back to club rugby for the back end of the season and finals and then you run this comp (which is presumably only for a month or so). That way it's clearly an add on rather than taking away from something else (pro players getting to play some games in club rugby).
Jimmy_Crouch
Ken Catchpole (46)
I'd much prefer the tours they are doing now. Its a throw back that changes it up for the players so they dont burn out. Invest in what makes rugby great.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
That's actually pretty close to my thinking on it. Run it alongside the U16/19s. Would be good for the young guys to see the pathway in action.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
There's a nice window here for pre-season games against Japanese teams
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Watty Friend (18)
Yeah I don't watch and many people I know don't watch who would, because they have other sport commitments in the world of rugby union itself and other sports.
Coaching or involved with schools rugby, refreeing, subbies etc. If it had the correct marketing behind it, I think it would be a hit.
Tell me you wouldn't atleast get a couple thousand at Easts or North Sydney on a friday night after work? or even a sunday arvo, with them playing a Western Force XV or the Brothers club in Brisbane? In a competition game which actually mattered.
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Watty Friend (18)
The reason the prem games barely get any crowd is because the already quaint Sydney rugby scene is split across 3 different rugby scenes already on a saturday at 3pm.
I think the issue is that a couple of thousand people doesn't make it a hit. What is the correct marketing? Broadly, widespread marketing to the general public is expensive for very little return.
You certainly need fans to be aware of it but largely your marketing is going to be through your social media channels to rugby fans already following those things.
I don't think you suddenly get a lot more people at games because you remove the conflicts with schoolboy rugby etc.
If you move one of those to Friday night or Sunday I don't think you really see much of a bump in crowd figures for either.
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Watty Friend (18)
By marketing I mean the framing of the competition, I guess the branding. Make it a spectacle and highlights the local nature of the teams, with pros and amatuers/semi-pros playing against eachother. I'm just spitballing here, I obvsly dont have a fully thought out plan. And as I said before financially and logistically it makes more sense just to have Super Rugby "A" teams.
However, for a dynamic competition, which will bring in fans and have sense of tribalism and such, I think using the clubs is the correct way to go. I still believe a competition using ready made club identities would draw more fan engagement, then using the same old super rugby branding.
However, for a dynamic competition, which will bring in fans and have sense of tribalism and such, I think using the clubs is the correct way to go. I still believe a competition using ready made club identities would draw more fan engagement, then using the same old super rugby branding.