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Australian Rugby / RA

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
Vunivalu's original contract was a waste of money. He was injured for most of it.

Re-signing him for this season for $300k wasn't a terrible idea. He has plenty of upside and the fact that there wasn't value achieved in his previous contract is immaterial now.

Re-signing him again at a similar or lower value is fine. He's healthier now and has plenty of promise.

The first two years will always be a disaster. There's no getting around that. If RA/Reds had continued signing him for the same amount of money it would have been a travesty but that isn't the case.
 

Jimmy_Crouch

Peter Johnson (47)
So after NZRU completely duffed the ABs coaching appointment process, I'm really interested who on here still thinks RA brutal but swift and decisive action on a head coach was handled poorly.
 

PhilClinton

Mark Loane (55)
So after NZRU completely duffed the ABs coaching appointment process, I'm really interested who on here still thinks Rugby Australia brutal but swift and decisive action on a head coach was handled poorly.

I’m more surprised after hearing how the Eddie situation unfolded that it wasn’t leaked earlier or ended up a communication balls up like what it sounds has happened across the ditch.

If the stories are true, RA execs managed to fly into the UK and meet with Eddie in person, cut a deal and return to Australia for 2 weeks before the announcement without anyone knowing it happened. It’s amazing that in 2023 with information being almost too available, that never leaked.
 

The Nomad

Bob Davidson (42)
Wasn’t sure where to post this…… lead story in today’s Australian. Top 12 rugby nations playing in a World League style comp every second year starting 2026 so not to interfere with RWC’s and British and Irish Lions’ tours.
 

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The Ghost of Raelene

David Codey (61)
Wasn’t sure where to post this…… lead story in today’s Australian. Top 12 rugby nations playing in a World League style comp every second year starting 2026 so not to interfere with RWC’s and British and Irish Lions’ tours.
Interesting. I don't mind it but also don't want something to take away from the RWC. I guess Cricket use to have the Champions Trophy...

Always thought this would be a cool concept for a Club World Cup/League
 

Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
Wasn’t sure where to post this…… lead story in today’s Australian. Top 12 rugby nations playing in a World League style comp every second year starting 2026 so not to interfere with RWC’s and British and Irish Lions’ tours.
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
yeah - I'm not against it. Particularly if it means more cash into RA's coffers.

The 'traditional' three match series in June / July is a bit of a fallacy really. Its barely a tour as teams are in and out pretty damn quick and it doesn't have the same meaning generally as the RC. I like this concept - at least it can create some meaning amongst the fans.

I would like to see, if we can fit it in, a 'warm up' game v the likes of Tonga, Georgia, Samoa etc return to the schedule though. Just to ensure we are supporting those nations and still seeing different teams come throuugh
 

Wilson

Phil Kearns (64)
The potentially much bigger issue for the Wallabies schedule is a shift to playing the rugby championship at the start of the year:

I understand South Africa and Argentina's concerns, but I can't see how this works for us. Going in cold, forcing a test break I to super Rugby (or having to play without wallabies) and super players getting even less opportunity to play with their clubs all seem like pretty bad outcomes for the game down here right now.
 

Wallaby Man

Nev Cottrell (35)
The potentially much bigger issue for the Wallabies schedule is a shift to playing the rugby championship at the start of the year:

I understand South Africa and Argentina's concerns, but I can't see how this works for us. Going in cold, forcing a test break I to super Rugby (or having to play without wallabies) and super players getting even less opportunity to play with their clubs all seem like pretty bad outcomes for the game down here right now.
I think the inevitable is something like this.

- Short SRAU comp used as a warm up and development for Super Rugby teams (4 games + final)
- Then RC played (6N to move slightly to mirror same weekends)
- Then single round Super Rugby (11 games + finals)
- Then some form of comp with Japanese teams (whatever this looks like)

Everything will become more of a squad game with players rested at different stages in the season.
 

LeCheese

Greg Davis (50)
I think the inevitable is something like this.

- Short SRAU comp used as a warm up and development for Super Rugby teams (4 games + final)
- Then RC played (6N to move slightly to mirror same weekends)
- Then single round Super Rugby (11 games + finals)
- Then some form of comp with Japanese teams (whatever this looks like)

Everything will become more of a squad game with players rested at different stages in the season.
I wonder what RUPA would have to say about the potential for increased player load.

Possibly something to the effect of "show me the money!"
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
I wonder what RUPA would have to say about the potential for increased player load.

Possibly something to the effect of "show me the money!"

the CBA usually stipulates that the players get paid a certain percentage of player generated money (ticket sales and broadcast rights). So I guess if the money is there, then the players will get it

The new CBA includes a structured return to at least pre-COVID Player payments and benefits, important first steps in the professionalisation of the Women’s game, and is constructed to manage any major commercial and financial growth that will come from the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour, two Rugby World Cups at home and other future revenue participation interests.

Bonus structures will be reinstated for international events such as The Rugby Championship, the Bledisloe Cup, British & Irish Lions Tour, and Rugby World Cups
 

Doritos Day

Johnnie Wallace (23)
I think the inevitable is something like this.

- Short SRAU comp used as a warm up and development for Super Rugby teams (4 games + final)
- Then RC played (6N to move slightly to mirror same weekends)
- Then single round Super Rugby (11 games + finals)
- Then some form of comp with Japanese teams (whatever this looks like)

Everything will become more of a squad game with players rested at different stages in the season.
This would be fire fr

I don't think Tests in March-April is all that bad it's better than competing with AFL/NRL finals imo. Just have to sort out getting some time into players which this short comp does.

6N shouldn't be on the same weekends unless you're coming from the perspective of player releases (I think NH clubs would prefer it being staggered)

The article mentions the July tests being mid-week which I'm a big fan of, really enjoyed the French series on Wed nights. Just have to time it properly with Origin, but something like Wed-Thurs-Thurs would be really good imo.
 

Ignoto

Peter Sullivan (51)
Under a proposal discussed at the SANZAAR table, Super Rugby would continue through the July Test window, with Test players absent. Sources say the three Tests could even be played as midweek fixtures, like State of Origin, and involve bye or split rounds to minimise the impact on Super Rugby, without halting the competition.
Why are we even considering bastarding Super Rugby?

Put some other competition on during the July test matches but ruining super rugby for over a month is ridiculous.
 

LeCheese

Greg Davis (50)
Why are we even considering bastarding Super Rugby?

Put some other competition on during the July test matches but ruining super rugby for over a month is ridiculous.
Super Rugby as a format is a bit stale and fan engagement is dwindling - the AU / NZ conference system during covid gave a glimpse of what a refreshed format could look like and it definitely got people interested

Agreed though that running a comp during another comp is an interesting approach
 

SouthernX

John Thornett (49)
The article mentions the July tests being mid-week which I'm a big fan

The mid week bledisloe was a big boon for rugby… I remember my rugby league diehard mates taking a moment out of their busy rugby league lives to tune in… had it been a weekend bledisloe, there was no change in hell these types were interrupting their weekend of league for a rugby game.

just hope we can schedule mid week test rugby on alternating State of Origin weeks
 
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