Agent
Billy Sheehan (19)
Ok maybe we have one from Canberra or none. Back to my original question is there any merit in such a comp?
Australian Rugby / RA
- Thread starter Dave Beat
- Start date
Ok maybe we have one from Canberra or none. Back to my original question is there any merit in such a comp?
SouthernX
John Thornett (49)
Sorry I’m not discrediting the merits - would prefer the NRC model where ACT can field a competitive team.
Your suggestion definitely better than nothing
dru
David Wilson (68)
Of course there is merit in an interstate club comp. Unfortunately there are also challenges. How you tie in the SRU clubs with the seemingly no-end politics is one. The step in quality to Super is another - this suggests there should be a different comp which targets reps from the club scene - and we are back to NRC or some substitute. Or simply expand the pro domestic comp as Wessels suggests. Or work some form of intermediate transition which might include elements of these as we head to the domestic comp.
It isn't happening though, I'm kind of resigned these days to scraping the boots from NZ in Super and fingers crossed that it becomes sustainable at some point based on nil logic, just hope.
Wallaby Man
Nev Cottrell (35)
I just don’t think this could possibly work.
It has good intentions, but it would destroy the club comps. All the good players would migrate to the perennial qualifiers for this comp, which would lead to thrashings during the season. It has the potential to not involve some players that should be playing at a higher standard because their club doesn’t qualify. And where does the Super Rugby squad players end up? They are the ones that need the game time. Club in my eyes should remain “shamatuer”. Not being disrespectful to them but I think they aren’t the solution to providing the level provided to raise the standard because I don’t think they have the ability to. They are brilliant at grassroots, so let’s not play with that recipe. Otherwise we run the risk of damaging that pipeline as well if clubs suddenly play a role in the pathway they might not be accustomed to, and therefore leaving the grassroots in more a mess than it currently is.
Whatever it looks like, the extra games our non-wallaby players are exposed to needs to be against programs that are 100% professional, against players that are 100% professional (at least for the portion of year the comp and preseason runs) and the facilities need to be elite. Otherwise it’s just not going to move the needle enough to be able to produce caliber of player required in 2023.
One of the issues isn’t the standard of our club players, that’s fine compared to the standard at any other country at an ‘amateur’ level. It’s the standard of the non-wallaby players. They are the ones that need the quality improved. They are the ones that need the investment into them.
Not disparaging your question or passion, as all ideas are valid and perhaps I’m wrong on this issue. I just don’t believe club is the answer to our issues. I’d rather a SRAU run for 8-10 weeks during the international season. So our players involved are living the professional life 24/7, are having deficiencies exposed from coaching staff and analysts watching hours of game tape of them. Having a full 6-8 week preseason. And been penalized for decisions made on the field by players of a standard where if you’re 1% off your game they will capitalize.
This is I believe the approximate model that RA want to eventually build an elite club competition under Super Rugby (if there is a Super Rugby). I am not a fan but that seems the preference at this stage.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
If the goal is to have a third tier involving our non-Wallaby professional players...
The best of the club competition format is going to exclude most of them.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Which is why a hybrid club/rep model would be better. Allow for X number of clubs to qualify from each of the Sydney and Brisbane comps. Based on the number of clubs in each say 3 from the Shute and 2 from the Hospitals. Plus the winner from the John Dent Cup. Then alongside these clubs a comp based rep squad. The professionals not called up for national duty if they are aligned to one of the qualifying clubs would naturally play for them while the rest plus the best from clubland would play for the rep side. Both Perth and Melbourne would also enter a rep squad as well.
Or there's one of two other options. First, you let them bid based on set criteria. This would make some clubs have to be realistic and could see some movement toward working together to enter a bid. Second, bring back the NRC. But this time assuming we get PE on board we take some of that money and spend it on things like promotion and marketing. Also, contract non-Super Rugby contracted players (guys from clubs) for a set period. Club loyalties are great but if a player with professional aspirations has the opportunity to play at a higher level and be paid then I'd bet many would take the opportunity.
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Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Accomplishing a desired aim or result
Wallaby Man
Nev Cottrell (35)
Another issue with a club based model, it’s not allowing our pro sides to build combinations or work on tactics for the coming year.
If we have 150 guys on pro contracts in the country (it’s actually a little bit more), then if 40 of them get called up to the Wallabies squad. That leaves 110 guys that must get starting spots in any club based model that’s proposed and must play the majority of minutes. That isn’t leaving much space for the guys that qualified their club into the national championship. Maybe a handful per team and a bench spot, or we are back to square one and the majority of the non-wallaby Super Rugby players don’t get the game time they need and especially not at the level they need.
If we have 150 guys on pro contracts in the country (it’s actually a little bit more), then if 40 of them get called up to the Wallabies squad. That leaves 110 guys that must get starting spots in any club based model that’s proposed and must play the majority of minutes. That isn’t leaving much space for the guys that qualified their club into the national championship. Maybe a handful per team and a bench spot, or we are back to square one and the majority of the non-wallaby Super Rugby players don’t get the game time they need and especially not at the level they need.
Highlander35
Steve Williams (59)
For arguments sake, this is what the post Super Rugby calendar looked like in 2022. While it probably wouldn't work with the Japan Tour that occured that year, a 12 week "Super Rugby Australia" competition actually fits in quite nicely.
| Saturday | Wallabies | Australia A | “Super Rugby Australia” |
| 25/06/2022 | |||
| 2/07/2022 | Inbound Tour Game 1 | PNC (Pacific Nations Cup) Game 1 | |
| 9/07/2022 | Inbound Tour Game 2 | PNC (Pacific Nations Cup) Game 2 | |
| 16/07/2022 | Inbound Tour Game 3 | PNC (Pacific Nations Cup) Game 3 | |
| 23/07/2022 | |||
| 30/07/2022 | Round 1 | ||
| 6/08/2022 | RC Round 1 | Round 2 | |
| 13/08/2022 | RC Round 2 | Round 3 | |
| 20/08/2022 | Round 4 | ||
| 27/08/2022 | RC Round 3 | Round 5 | |
| 3/09/2022 | RC Round 4 | Round 6 | |
| 10/09/2022 | Round 7 | ||
| 17/09/2022 | RC Round 5 | Round 8 | |
| 24/09/2022 | RC Round 6 | Round 9 | |
| 1/10/2022 | Japan Tour Game 1 | Round 10 | |
| 8/10/2022 | Japan Tour Game 2 | Qualifier | |
| 15/10/2022 | Japan Tour Game 3 | Final | |
| 22/10/2022 | |||
| 29/10/2022 | EOYT 1 | ||
| 5/11/2022 | EOYT 2 | ||
| 12/11/2022 | EOYT 3 | ||
| 19/11/2022 | EOYT 4 | ||
| 26/11/2022 | EOYT 5 |
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
It helps to have an achievable result. What is it?
Wallaby Man
Nev Cottrell (35)
Perfect. Don’t need bye weeks either as would force teams to rotate
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
Increase games
Increase exposure
Increase depth
Increase opportunity
A domestic rugby tournament can still be successful at accomplishing those desired aims and results even if on a different scale to the NRL.
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RebelYell
Arch Winning (36)
I don't think you can start it untul after Shute Shield, Hospital Cup finals conclude. Important for players to be able to rep their clubs in those comps.
Apart from the obvious names, Laidley White was the son of one of the best Wallaby front-rowers ever - Jon White (24 caps)
The Ghost of Raelene
Simon Poidevin (60)
Even the ref and coaches are legends