Many are they who love their local club comp and, likely, few are they who give not a bugger but miss NRC greatly. I number among the latter.
I'm not against the NRC but is there any evidence that the comp did anything for the quality of rugby at the levels above in its 6 seasons? Its hard to think that the Aus Super teams could have been even worse between 2016 and 2020.
I think it is pretty clear cut, Queensland and the ACT had the best programs and went on to be the best of the Aus sides as a resultI think QLD have definitely benefitted. I'd suggest the BRumbies too. More importantly I think the individual players benefitted. It provided ideal (I feel) middle schooling for the likes of Tupou, Hodge, Wilson, Naivalu and turned up some diamonds in the rough such as Jock Campbell and Filipo Daugunu.
Not from this NSWelshmen. I've been an avid Shute Shield viewer for a long time but without a huge influx of funds it cannot bridge the gap that the likes of the NPC does between club and professionalism. The NRC did that and frankly should have always been controlled directly by NSW Rugby.Yeh I think it's been mentioned many times across various threads that the QRU running both the NRC teams, as well as Thorn's early involvement, definitely steered the Reds to a period of success. There was a unified goal for the teams.
I am sure the sentiment is quite different in NSW.
But were they better with the NRC against NZ and SA sides who have always had an equivalent comp. There's always going to be a best Aus side. But even the Brumbies were terrible against NZ with the exception of 2019. The other problem is that it is only this year since 2016 that Aus sides have managed more than 25% victories against NZ. Before 2016 the lowest percentage (in season AUS vs NZ matches) was 30% in 2007. And of course there has not been an NRC since 2019 so with the Super Rugby teams have pulled but some of the difference without it. Unless we argue that the Super Rugby teams would have been even worse without the NRC I don't see how the historical data supports it helping Super Rugby and Test level.I think it is pretty clear cut, Queensland and the ACT had the best programs and went on to be the best of the Aus sides as a result
Who cares about NZ sides. We need to focus on ourselvesBut were they better with the NRC against NZ and SA sides who have always had an equivalent comp. There's always going to be a best Aus side. But even the Brumbies were terrible against NZ with the exception of 2019. The other problem is that it is only this year since 2016 that Aus sides have managed more than 25% victories against NZ. Before 2016 the lowest percentage (in season AUS vs NZ matches) was 30% in 2007. And of course there has not been an NRC since 2019 so with the Super Rugby teams have pulled but some of the difference without it. Unless we argue that the Super Rugby teams would have been even worse without the NRC I don't see how the historical data supports it helping Super Rugby and Test level.
terrific contribution to the topic at handHmmm who was it who won the last NRC easily beating an ACT side full of Brumbies? Yes that's right it was the Force! The Toaster can be seen in the WF headquarters
The model they and South Africa use gives their players pathways and it means they don't have to throw guys from club rugby to Super rugby and destroy their confidence off the batWho cares about NZ sides. We need to focus on ourselves
Hmmm who was it who won the last NRC easily beating an ACT side full of Brumbies? Yes that's right it was the Force! The Toaster can be seen in the WF headquarters
before the NRC existed the continuing online argument as far as I could tell was that Australia needed a 3rd Tier national comp to develop players or they would never reliably compete with NZ and SA who have one. I bought into this and believed it would eventually make a difference to Aus Super Rugby sides through the awful post 2015 seasons.Who cares about NZ sides. We need to focus on ourselves
Thanks Reg To read the posts on here you would never know the Force had taken part in the NRC let alone won it!terrific contribution to the topic at hand
Thanks Reg To read the posts on here you would never know the Force had taken part in the NRC let alone won it!