Australian Rugby / RA

[Sword of Justice]

Because why would you let Rugby Australia - who came up with the $999 limited edition RM Williams ball - anywhere near your commercial department?
This is a hostile takeover of Super Rugby Clubs.
There is some merit in "aligning" high performance, but what Rugby Australia really wants is "centralisation", where they can demand that Tate McDermott plays for the Rebels.

The RM Williams was a commercial boon though so perhaps not the best example. The Wallabies are a premium product and so is that ball.

They can demand what they want but Tate also gets to choose.

 

[John S]

Make Australian Rugby Great Again? MARGA?

So if you're talking to someone called Rita, you could say MARGA - Rita?

 

[LeCheese]

Make Australian Rugby Great Again? MARGA?

It was too long to fit well on the cap

 

[wamberal99]

Any plan is better than no plan. Let's hope we are capable of developing good plans, and implementing them.

 

[KevinO]

There is some merit in "aligning" high performance, but what Rugby Australia really wants is "centralisation", where they can demand that Tate McDermott plays for the Rebels.

I think you will find, they are not able to demand a player swaps clubs unless they are required to be starting and that's not happening at there current club. You will find with the Irish centralized system that all players in the Irish system are generally starting enough games.

The big thing is signing of overseas marquee players, if it's a position of concern (lack of depth) they can force you sign local and work on building depth rather then a quick fix. Ulster had this issue a few years ago when they were not allowed to resign a SA 9 because the IRFU wanted to develop local and build further depth.

 

[dru]

Look, don't read too much into the statements of support. I know a few aren't completely sold while others still pushing for some caveats. But its good strong leadership by Rugby Australia and I think it needed to happen. The game is becoming increasingly irrelevant in this country and anyone who thinks drastic change isn't needed is kidding themselves. Even if some clubs think they can do it better themselves, it's no use doing it better yourself if there's no one else to play and the sport becomes a hobby activity. Much like the statements said elsewhere about kiwis really wanting Australia to get strong again.

I remember hearing a QLD Cricket staff member talk some years ago and she was very clear on her role - she worked for cricket in QLD, not for QLD Cricket. That has to be the perspective of our teams / states - we need to work together to make the code strong again.

Thanks, mate. The potential for impact from less-than-supportive SRU continues to bother me. I can only agree on a drive forward with strong leadership.

There is clearly an opportunity in front of us with the big years coming. It's great to see RA planning a path through it.

 

[barbarian]

The big thing is signing of overseas marquee players, if it's a position of concern (lack of depth) they can force you sign local and work on building depth rather then a quick fix. Ulster had this issue a few years ago when they were not allowed to resign a SA 9 because the IRFU wanted to develop local and build further depth.

This is critical for mine.

We can't have a situation like we did a few years ago when three of our five teams had a starting 10 who wasn't Wallaby eligible. From memory the players were Andre Pretorius, Jackson Garden-Bachop and a third who I can't quite recall (Hawera at the Brumbies?).

 

[Rob42]

This is critical for mine.

We can't have a situation like we did a few years ago when three of our five teams had a starting 10 who wasn't Wallaby eligible. From memory the players were Andre Pretorius, Jackson Garden-Bachop and a third who I can't quite recall (Hawera at the Brumbies?).

As Dan Herbert pointed out on the Rugby Wrap podcast interview, it's critical that Super Rugby coaches and administrations have the support necessary to make strategic recruitment decisions. An Super Rugby coach has to be confident that he won't lose his job if he chooses the young, untested local 10, instead of recruiting an overseas player. Even if the team struggles that year because of it.

Hopefully this National High Performance Plan includes coach development as well as players.

 

[Derpus]

It’s happening.

Rugby Australia (Rugby Australia), the Australian Super Rugby Clubs, Member Unions and the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) have agreed to pursue a historic strategic reset of Rugby in Australia.

With a once in a generation pipeline of major Rugby events set to supercharge the game in Australia, headlined by the 2025 Lions Tour, the Rugby World Cup for men in 2027, and the women’s World Cup in 2029, the vision for this transformation is for all levels to have clearly defined roles, with stakeholders aligned to work more collaboratively towards greater success for Australian Rugby on and off the field.

As part of the change:

* Member Unions will continue to oversee and deliver the Community game

* Super Rugby Clubs will be responsible for local talent development and pathways, as well as the operational delivery of Super Rugby Pacific and Super W programs, aligned with the National High-Performance Plan
* Rugby Australia will lead the National High-Performance Plan and system, which includes national pathways and development programs, National Teams across XVs and Sevens and contracting players and key high-performance staff within Super Rugby Pacific, Super W and national programs.

The planned strategic reset between Rugby Australia, Super Rugby Clubs, the Member Unions and RUPA is designed to implement a structure that:
- Continuously improves on-field results for Super Rugby Clubs across Super Rugby Pacific, Super W and Teams in Gold throughout the golden decade of major events in Australia
- Provides for increased investment in Women’s Rugby, with a particular focus on the high-performance programs and sustainable growth in player payments
- Attracts and retains the best Australian players, coaches and officials
- Drives focus on, and investment in the Community game – particularly with the expected surge in engagement and participation numbers following the Lions Tour and Rugby World Cups
- Increases fan engagement and grows the brands within Australian Rugby, subsequently generating more fans of the sport
- Improves the commercial performance of Super Rugby Clubs
- Streamlines the governance of professional Rugby.

Under the plan Rugby Australia and its Member Unions around the country will work together to drive a stronger connection with the Community to create a thriving, sustainable, fun and inclusive game at the grassroots level.

The reset at the professional level will also incorporate a national contracting model ahead of the 2025 season – a project that Rugby Australia, Super Rugby Clubs and RUPA have been developing over the last two years, and which will see an increase in overall investment in players to support retention and recruitment.

Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh believes now is the ideal time for a strategic transformation of Australian Rugby, with an upcoming capital raise, the 2025 Lions Tour and two Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029 providing an ideal platform to recharge and refocus Rugby in this country.

“Together, we need to change our collective approach to ensure that Rugby in Australia can prosper, on and off the field – from the heartbeat of our game at the grassroots right through to our Wallabies, Wallaroos and Sevens teams.

“We firmly believe that strategic structural change is required if we are to deliver success for the game in the future – particularly with the pipeline of major Rugby events happening in our backyard through to 2032.

“This is a significant project and needs to be done through a spirit of partnership across Australian Rugby, motivated by the collective desire to ensure we are winning on the field and ensuring that we are sustainable, and able to grow off it.

“The implementation of this model cannot be a one-size-fits-all model, and needs to reflect the specifics of each Super Rugby Club, Member Union and their markets.

“It will take time to successfully deliver this project, however we intend to formally commence work on rolling it out over the coming weeks, with a plan to methodically work through the process with our many stakeholders.

“With the many exciting events on the horizon for Australian Rugby, it is important that we take this opportunity to really set up our system, and our Clubs to be more successful, and drive the game forward at all levels.”

NSW Waratahs Chairman, Tony Crawford: “The reset of professional Rugby in this country is long overdue. We are committed to Rugby Australia’s new strategic direction which will give the Waratahs an even better opportunity to develop, attract and retain the rich seam of talent that we have, and to grow our game from grass roots, at every level. We look forward to working with Rugby Australia to return Rugby in NSW and Australia to its position as a powerhouse of the sport.”

ACT Brumbies Chairman, Matthew Nobbs: “The Brumbies will explore the process of helping shape the structure and direction of Rugby in Australia. This club has a proud history of innovation and success in Australian Rugby, and we see this as an opportunity to drive Rugby forward in the ACT and Southern NSW.”

Melbourne Rebels Chairman, Paul Docherty: “The Melbourne Rebels are strong supporters of the right structural change to enhance the professional game, while ensuring we retain our national footprint and a greater inclusion and pathway from community through high-performance and into our National teams. It is a positive move that Super Rugby Clubs and Member Unions are working through this together and shows an intent to get our game back to the top where it belongs.”

Queensland Reds Chairman, Brett Clark: “The QLD Reds will be behind measures that will lead to more successful Super Rugby clubs and Australian sides on and off the field. There is a lot of detail to work through, and we are supportive to start on what the model will look like in Queensland and how we can contribute to ensure sustained success on-field at all levels.”

Western Force Chairman, Anthony Flannery: “Rugby is healthy and growing in Western Australia and has much to offer Australian Rugby. We believe the changes that Rugby Australia is proposing will allow all clubs and Rugby Australia to work together to develop a high-performance program that ensures a successful future for the sport in Australia – something all Rugby fans in the country can be proud of and want to be part of. What that looks like in each province could be different, and we have plenty to work through as a group – however, it is an exciting opportunity for the game ahead of some major milestones that we have coming up.”

Rugby Union Players Association Chairman, Campbell Fisher: “As a playing group, anything that develops better players and playing conditions must be welcomed – and that is the stated intent of Rugby Australia’s strategy here, so we are supportive, and we will be keen participants in this process. The governing body has reiterated its commitment to five professional clubs and increased investment in Women’s Rugby, however with a more focused development system and greater clarity on the future contracting of players – steps that we endorse as a group, and which we believe will have a positive effect right across the game.”

Seems like they've outlined what will stay the same and what the target outcomes of the proposed changes are, without actually saying what the changes will be outside some contract restructuring.

A professional coaching pathway would be huge, if it's included.

 

[PhilClinton]

As Dan Herbert pointed out on the Rugby Wrap podcast interview, it's critical that Super Rugby coaches and administrations have the support necessary to make strategic recruitment decisions. An Super Rugby coach has to be confident that he won't lose his job if he chooses the young, untested local 10, instead of recruiting an overseas player. Even if the team struggles that year because of it.

That is a concept lots of Australian sports fans in general struggle with, aside from AFL with their draft system.

Look at the Brisbane Broncos a few years ago, fans were calling for Kevvy Walters head. And in three years (not a long time in the sporting world) he's brought essentially the same young group from missing the finals, to being a top 2 premiership hope.

The problem with playing 'the long game' in terms of talent development was that it should have started in rugby 10 years ago.

Fans are going to demand success in 2025 and 2027, honestly in 2024 as well to give everyone hope that we can be competitive against the Lions. Hopefully they haven't left this run too late.

 

[SouthernX]

What would be the negatives of this move? Why would people not be supporting it?

Im skeptical of this… but will give it a chance.

I think the nsw power brokers who have had so much power for so long. - are still going to serve their own interests and not work with the other states

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I see this as a step in the right direction, though obviously some details will need to be worked out.

We've got a great group of young players and two major events in this country in the next five years. If we grasp the opportunity now it shores up the future. If we squander it then the game will essentially become barely above amateur and disappear from the public consciousness.

Over to you Hamish and Phil, make it happen.

 

[Sword of Justice]

The Reds statement was very circumspect. I don't imagine many of the changes will be reversible, especially the contracting, so it is understandable to have reservations.

I do think this brings the professional game here closer to current best practices though and at the very least it allows us as punters to focus our anger.

 

[Rob42]

The timing is a little unusual. There's nothing in the usual media sources about this, except the internal RA organ rugby.com.au. Most rugby journos are probably either taking some leave pre-RWC, or heading to France now. Given the usual way news releases work from RA, with selected journos publishing team lists 24 hours before they're public, and various other backgrounding, it's weird. Of course I wouldn't suggest it's supposed to be a distraction from the Wallaroos unrest.

 

[Slim 293]

The timing is a little unusual. There's nothing in the usual media sources about this, except the internal Rugby Australia organ rugby.com.au. Most rugby journos are probably either taking some leave pre-RWC, or heading to France now. Given the usual way news releases work from Rugby Australia, with selected journos publishing team lists 24 hours before they're public, and various other backgrounding, it's weird. Of course I wouldn't suggest it's supposed to be a distraction from the Wallaroos unrest.

It was initially reported in the Roar yesterday with a follow up today...

Otherwise there's not a lot of rugby press left with the Nine papers' coverage shrinking in recent months.

 

[RugbyReg]

Im skeptical of this… but will give it a chance.

I think the nsw power brokers who have had so much power for so long. - are still going to serve their own interests and not work with the other states

I think NSW Rugby at least has been one of the more eager parties to the process, which may also have something to do with their financials perhaps.

They have just released this statment:

The New South Wales Rugby Union (NSWRU) has today welcomed an historic agreement with Rugby Australia (RA) to re-align Super Rugby and the community game across the state.

The Board of the NSWRU has endorsed the changes announced today that are designed to improve results at the national and Super Rugby level, create stronger player pathways, increase participation numbers and grow the community game.

The NSW Waratahs will collaborate with RA to unify high-performance programs and build cohesion within professional Rugby that will improve elite pathways and fuel the success of Super Rugby clubs and the national team.

The structural change will also incorporate the women’s game, with an on-going commitment to sustainable growth in player pathways aligned with increased investment in the Super W high performance program.

The Chairman of the NSW Waratahs Tony Crawford, says he is looking forward to working closely with RA to return rugby in NSW and Australia to its position as a powerhouse of the sport.

“The reset of professional Rugby in this country is long overdue and NSW Rugby is committed to RA’s new strategic direction which will give the Waratahs an even better opportunity to develop, attract and retain the rich seam of talent we have and to grow our game from grass roots, at every level,” he said.

“It is a plan that will provide a strong foundation to build a sustainable future for rugby in NSW.”

The CEO of the NSWRU Paul Doorn, says that the current Super Rugby model has not been working for a number of years and these changes are needed to best utilise resources and drive improved results.

“This reset will help reduce our costs, remove duplication and streamline where we can spend our income for better results and improved engagement and growth of the community game including our growing women’s teams” he said.

“The NSW Waratahs will still maintain responsibility for developing local talent and creating player pathways for Super Rugby while RA will be responsible for the national pathways and development of the national men’s and women’s XVs and Sevens programs.

“We are looking forward to working together with RA to achieve greater success in Super Rugby which will lead to better outcomes for the national team, but at the same time, growing and investing in our connection with the community game.

“The NSWRU will continue to be responsible for the delivery of grassroots rugby and we’ll focus on creating a sustainable future for the game in New South Wales and this reset will create the best opportunity for the code to thrive long term.”

The NSW Waratahs are working with Rugby Australia on this strategic reset for 2024.

 

[Wilson]

Yeah, from my reading it's the Brumbies and the Reds who are the most sceptical.Very terse statement from the Brumbies that focuses on their own success and a qualified support from the Reds:

ACT Brumbies Chairman, Matthew Nobbs: “The Brumbies will explore the process of helping shape the structure and direction of Rugby in Australia. This club has a proud history of innovation and success in Australian Rugby, and we see this as an opportunity to drive Rugby forward in the ACT and Southern NSW.”

Queensland Reds Chairman, Brett Clark: “The QLD Reds will be behind measures that will lead to more successful Super Rugby clubs and Australian sides on and off the field. There is a lot of detail to work through, and we are supportive to start on what the model will look like in Queensland and how we can contribute to ensure sustained success on-field at all levels.”

Makes sense given they're the two sides with the most recent success and stability, particularly from a management/financial perspective.

 

[LeCheese]

Makes sense given they're the two sides with the most recent success and stability, particularly from a management/financial perspective.

I'd argue from a developmental perspective as well, which is seemingly what may be changing the most

 

[The Phoenix]

Look I know I'm a dinosaur, but I am ultra-suspicious of handing any more power to the ARU RA when it is dominated by people from Sydney's North Shore. It never ends well and I can see why Brumbies and QRU aren't as fulsome in support as NSWRU.

 

[Slim 293]

The Canberra Times are running with a different angle...

Brumbies, Rugby Australia on the brink of war after centralisation move​

Paywalled with ACM:

'Hostile takeover': Brumbies, Rugby Australia set to clash on centralisation

Rugby Australia wants to takeover ownership of the Brumbies.

www.canberratimes.com.au