Australian Teams in ITM Cup

[Ruggo]

It looks like some of the ITM cup teams have trouble surviving already. Who is going to pay for them to Travel the ditch? If any teams were viable to add to the ITM Cup, it should be a Samoan and Tongan team with financial aid provided by the IRB. They would be able to compete at this level with the resources they have at this level.

As for Australia, mergege the Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra competitions and introduce a relegation system. Bring back the ARS as a feeder competition which also helps expand rugby's national foot print on a grass roots scale.

 

[en_force_er]

It looks like some of the ITM cup teams have trouble surviving already. Who is going to pay for them to Travel the ditch? If any teams were viable to add to the ITM Cup, it should be a Samoan and Tongan team with financial aid provided by the IRB. They would be able to compete at this level with the resources they have at this level.

Agreed. Fiji, Samoa and Tonga already have a competition set-up that would feed into it well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Rugby_Cup

Obviously the NPC is a uniquely New Zealand product and should remain that way BUT since they are having a 2nd division next year there is no harm in allowing teams from the islands in like SA does with Currie Cup div 2.

This would surely garner IRB funding and many of the fellows participating would have family links to people in NZ anyway so perhaps relocating there for a period wouldn't be a huge stretch.

This being said the Islands already have plenty of players playing professional footy all over the place and I think the IRB next big hurdle is either setting up professional rugger in the Americas or getting more people from the Americas playing professional rugby elsewhere.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Agreed. Fiji, Samoa and Tonga already have a competition set-up that would feed into it well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Rugby_Cup

Obviously the NPC is a uniquely New Zealand product and should remain that way BUT since they are having a 2nd division next year there is no harm in allowing teams from the islands in like SA does with Currie Cup div 2.

This would surely garner IRB funding and many of the fellows participating would have family links to people in NZ anyway so perhaps relocating there for a period wouldn't be a huge stretch.

This being said the Islands already have plenty of players playing professional footy all over the place and I think the IRB next big hurdle is either setting up professional rugger in the Americas or getting more people from the Americas playing professional rugby elsewhere.

If you are familar with the Ruggamatrix America pod cast you would be familar with Bruce McLane. He provides an interesting guest piece for the US based Rugby magazine. In his article he brings up the subject of cross over athlete's and the use of academies to up skill these guys to be competitive in the game. He also brings it up regarding the existing talent base. These Academies offer 6 month of tutition for a modest price. He suggests that the USAR and the Eagles coaching would be well served to funded their top 40 players to attend thesec Academies. He looking at it from a domestic level but this methodology could be used to develop talent preparing them for professionalism overseas.

In saying that I would be good to see PI teams with IRB backing moving inot the 2nd Div of the NPC from next year. Won't happen but it would be good. I have to credit the Saffas with this. They can be a nuisance but they do alot of good work for the game. Hopefully, in the future we can see a Kenyan team replace the Pampas (Arg team) when eventually Arg get their Pro set up going.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Pray tell?

More or less covered here:

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/jon-evil-genius-or-very-evil-genius/

 

[rustycruiser]

More or less covered here:

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/jon-evil-genius-or-very-evil-genius/

You mean that simplistic, not to mention out of date, article. It by no means show that South Africa got what it wanted. What it in fact details is the death of the Currie Cup. By no means what we wanted.

 

[farva]

Surely if the NZRU cut back the number of teams in the ITM Cup to 8, instead of 14, those teams would then be much more financial. If we then add in 6 Australian teams (2 x Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane) then we could have a financially viable comp. The Log of wood could still be competed for by the kiwi teams, and we could have our own version, the better log of wood.

 

[RugbyFuture]

Your model seems to spread things a little thin. What Joe Mac states regarding South Africa and the likely growth of the conferences is entirely plausible and what we need is a viable national competition to 1) Develop new franchises for Super Rugby .i.e. build squads, sponsorship and fanbases. and 2) build a demand for Rugby in the wider community. To do this we need a competition at as high a quality as possible. Even if such a theoritical Chmapionship were to ever eventuate it should never really grow beyond maybe 10 or 12 teams to ensure the overall standard remains high.

Interestingly enough reading a link on another site regarding the ratings for the season launch of the NBL it appears One HD is quite pleased with what could be only described as modest ratings (Kings first home game average only 53,000 with a peak if 150,000). No one could tell me we could not beat that. If there is anyone even linked to the ARU out there take notice of this. It goes to prove One is desperately looking for local content and are willing to back it. We need to look at this avenue sooner rather than later.

that model was a hypothetical built over 10 years and before fully understanding the new super rugby structure.

in terms of ONE HD i agree, and think the ARU should have taken its chances with them when they had the chance. its not only that they're backing it now but Ten have a history of developing good sports broadcasting and then losing it after awards and all their crew to the channels with more money.

 

[RugbyFuture]

Hugh Jarse theres now an ITM cup icon

 

[Brumbies Guy]

Will the Brumby Runners/Junior Tahs/etc be playing each other during the local conference stages next year?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

that model was a hypothetical built over 10 years and before fully understanding the new super rugby structure.

in terms of ONE HD i agree, and think the ARU should have taken its chances with them when they had the chance. its not only that they're backing it now but Ten have a history of developing good sports broadcasting and then losing it after awards and all their crew to the channels with more money.

Were Ten offering the same money as Fox? I somewhat doubt it. Otherwise you'd have to have rocks in your head to turn down the chance of FTA exposure. Back to OneHD. As I mentioned they are happy to back local content such as the NBL. Rugby should be looking to ressurrect its ARC concept from 2012 onwards working directly with OneHD. With this platform the ARC could get the necessary attention it would need by a broadcaster and gain exposure into every major marketplace at a equitable timeslot.

 

[RugbyFuture]

the SupeRugby format is looking to internal expansion and i think JON's been clever in developing this. Therefore i don't think the ARC would be viable again in itself. I do however think that the Shute Shield and the Queensland Premiership are viable options, as well as a the possible revival of the Sydney north v sydney south (or even expansion into south/north/west) selective comp with the SRU or a national club championship based on the winners of the Sydney, melbourne, ACT, Queensland and perth club comps.

 

[Moses]

Surely if the NZRU cut back the number of teams in the ITM Cup to 8, instead of 14, those teams would then be much more financial. If we then add in 6 Australian teams (2 x Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane) then we could have a financially viable comp. The Log of wood could still be competed for by the kiwi teams, and we could have our own version, the better log of wood.

If they'd consider expansion then look at NSW and possibly QLD. At least initially, there is no reason to bother with fringe rugby cities that happen to be a long way from NZ.

A weekend across the tasman would be great for the players, NSWRU / Foxtel could make it worth their while financially, and the ITM players could stay with their families in Coogee to cut costs.

 

[Slim 293]

If they'd consider expansion then look at NSW and possibly QLD. At least initially, there is no reason to bother with fringe rugby cities that happen to be a long way from NZ.

A weekend across the tasman would be great for the players, NSWRU / Foxtel could make it worth their while financially, and the ITM players could stay with their families in Coogee to cut costs.

Canberra is a fringe rugby city?

Long way from NZ?

Huh?

 

[DPK]

Canberra is a fringe rugby city?

Long way from NZ?

Huh?

So all their players are from Canberra?

 

[Moses]

Canberra is a fringe rugby city?

Long way from NZ?

How many Brumbies play in the ACT comp over the Shute Shield?

How well is Canberra airport connected to NZ? I have to admit I haven't researched this, but my assumption is you'd be flying through Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch/Queenstown -> Sydney -> Canberra.

I guess my point is rather than trying to be an equal player in an expanded NPC with Australia putting up teams from as far away as Perth, the NSWRU (if able to do so) should contact the NZRU directly and push for their sole inclusion in the ITM cup.

 

[Brumby Jack]

You could count them on one hand and most likely all at the one club

 

[Slim 293]

So all their players are from Canberra?

Whose players?

Randwick?

 

[Slim 293]

How many Brumbies play in the ACT comp over the Shute Shield?

How well is Canberra airport connected to NZ? I have to admit I haven't researched this, but my assumption is you'd be flying through Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch/Queenstown -> Sydney -> Canberra.

I guess my point is rather than trying to be an equal player in an expanded NPC with Australia putting up teams from as far away as Perth, the NSWRU (if able to do so) should contact the NZRU directly and push for their sole inclusion in the ITM cup.

While I don't think introducing Australian teams into the ITM is viable, if you were going to do it you can't ignore one of the major rugby cities in Australia, particularly when it is the one team that is financially solid...

The idea of introducing Australian teams into the ITM is about discussing ways to give Australia a probably third tier competition... obviously setting our narrow sights on Sydney and Brisbane doesn't help anything...

 

[Moses]

While I don't think introducing Australian teams into the ITM is viable, if you were going to do it you can't ignore one of the major rugby cities in Australia, particularly when it is the one team that is financially solid...

Perhaps the Brumbies could push for their own sole inclusion in the ITM Cup. Doesn't work so well logistically, and doesn't work so well for me personally, but it would be great for the Ponies.

 

[Slim 293]

A Canberra team would be run by the Vikings Club in Canberra... I'm not sure if they are still the richest, but certainly one of the wealthiest clubs in the southern hemisphere...