WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I wouldn't mind seeing something like a U23s team formed and included.
Australian Rugby / RA
- Thread starter Dave Beat
- Start date
I wouldn't mind seeing something like a U23s team formed and included.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
Not a chance in hell. Aside from the fact that the existing teams would never agree to it, promotion/relegation is a recipe for disaster in a geographically diverse competition, at least when there is no money in the level below.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
As a separate team in the comp? No thanks, I hate it. Either have this comp as entirely age grade or not, pulling up and coming players from their respective state setups will massively stunt their development.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Nah, need the players not involved with the Wallabies playing a higher tier of rugby…
There’s already enough junior development competitions underneath that.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
Strongly disagree. For it to work and reap maximum rewards, the tier 2 comp should be as strong as possible.
If a Wallabies squad member goes down, do you want to be calling up a - for argument's sake, let's say James O'Connor - who has been toiling away for Brothers or the Reds A side.
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Ted Thorn (20)
Not sure about you guys but ive rather watch a national club comp, rather than super rugby a teams, from a fans perspective. however from a financial and pure game development pov, a super rugby au is definitely better.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Fair points. It's no doubt more important to get the third tier right first. However, the big gap in the pathways is after the U19's, there's literally nothing that pays unless you are Super standard, which is where I was coming from as we need to keep players in a system on our shores.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
I absolutely wouldn't.
In saying that, if this idea progresses, they'll need to be pretty careful how they frame the teams. Given them the 'A' label probably hurts engagement, but so would giving the teams a separate name altogether, and carrying on with just the Super names probably dilutes things a touch and could create confusion. A bit of a quandary.
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
I'd assume, perhaps erroneously, a competition such as this would also be cause to increase squad sizes and capture some of those in-betweeners
D-Box
Cyril Towers (30)
That sounds a hell of a lot like a comp called the NRC.
You could rather than an A comp run an 8 team comp with each super club responsible for two
Force - Perth/Melb
ACT - Canberra/country NSW
NSW - 2 X Sydney
QLD - city/country
7 rounds + 2 weeks finals
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Guys, RA has no money. This will be same teams, same contracts, same players as those on the books already
LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
Stop, you're making too much sense. As @Strewthcobber points out though, the proposed is a more frugal alternative
hoggy
Nev Cottrell (35)
It doesn't matter how you frame it. It is a recipe for going broke more quicker than we currently are. Who is going to watch this and who is going to pay for it, the rusted on fans who are already paid up.
"Not watching Super Rugby" then give our development competition a go, NZ is struggling supporting the NPC and that is there national code.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
This won't happen until some time next year. After the Lions series. They'll also have more of an idea of what the situation with the Nations Championship in terms of financials. Could be doable. Just not at the moment.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Could do it as the 4 SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) franchises and allow for the Sydney and Brisbane clubs to enter a rep squad each.
D-Box
Cyril Towers (30)
After the Super Rugby squads take the cream who is left? Who's going to fund those teams S&C, analytics, physio as well as coaches etc.
Using Super Rugby clubs as the base the infistructure and personnel are there and you are just adding players
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
That's the point. Who else is left? Let's see if anyone puts their hands up. As for funding. Rep squads are about opportunity. So contracting won't be needed. It's an existing player pool so they are local so no need to import players. Coaching would also be sourced from the clubs. The clubs have physios so they can take them from there. Won't take much to access game film as most clubs do now. We used to watch game tape back in Colts in 2005.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
Yes, it certainly probably would fill that void, so I'll retract my suggestion. Maybe an emphasis on the up-and-comers rather than going out and out on them. I agree with the issue around fringe Wallabies, but if it's a choice between the U19s star and a 34 year old in the departure lounge looking for a superannuation contribution, then take the former.
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.
KentwellCup>ShuteShield
Ted Thorn (20)
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.