Learning from the enemy – an affordable Third Tier competition

[WorkingClassRugger]

TV viewing or supporter attendance?
Everyone has, and is allowed different views - the ARC didn't interest me as the players were disbursed everywhere. I will use Uni as an easy example - their players may have been running around for 3 different teams - I wouldn't have a team to follow.
If it was structured Nth Harbour, Sth Harbour, Western Sydney I think there would be some Origin type battles. The 3T also needs to benefit club rugby - the games could be shared around and follow First Grade under lights.
Nth Hbr - Manly, Rats, Nths, Gordon.
Sth Hbr - Easts, Wicks, Uni, Souths.
Wests - Eastwood, Parra, Emus, Wests.
NSW Country,
ACT,
QLD - how many rep teams

I think by setting up strict entry criteria you'll probably see splits similar to what you suggest occur but it would need to be organic and of the clubs own doing.

As for time period. During the 4Ns would be ideal in my mind. That would allow for the clubs to have a full club season and allow talent to display their wares prior to competing against the Super Rugby squads members who would be able to return to clubs during this period.

 

[Dave Beat]

I think by setting up strict entry criteria you'll probably see splits similar to what you suggest occur but it would need to be organic and of the clubs own doing.

As for time period. During the 4Ns would be ideal in my mind. That would allow for the clubs to have a full club season and allow talent to display their wares prior to competing against the Super Rugby squads members who would be able to return to clubs during this period.

It is a blank canvas, start the Shute Shield earlier than mid Apr, after the first round my suggested 3T starts, in conjuction with the second round of the Shute Shield. I do see importance for a number of reasons that a 3T game follows a First Grade game.

The Manly Daily came up with a smart idea a few days ago. The newspaper devised a ''God's Country XV'' involving players from the peninsula that could double as a very competitive NSW team - and perhaps even be able to beat the Tahs. The line-up is: Mark Gerrard (c), Tom Kingston, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Robbie Coleman, Sam Lane, Brett Sheehan, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Hugh Pyle, Cadeyrn Neville, Jono Owen, Josh Mann-Rea, Pek Cowan. Reserves: Josh Holmes, Beau Robinson, Luke Holmes, Elvis Taione, Salesi Manu, Eddie Aholelei, Luke Jones, George Smith. Coaches: Tim Lane and Sam Harris. As Lane told the paper: ''That's not a bad side, is it?''

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

It is a blank canvas, start the Shute Shield earlier than mid Apr, after the first round my suggested 3T starts, in conjuction with the second round of the Shute Shield. I do see importance for a number of reasons that a 3T game follows a First Grade game.

The Manly Daily came up with a smart idea a few days ago. The newspaper devised a ''God's Country XV'' involving players from the peninsula that could double as a very competitive NSW team - and perhaps even be able to beat the Tahs. The line-up is: Mark Gerrard (c), Tom Kingston, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Robbie Coleman, Sam Lane, Brett Sheehan, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Hugh Pyle, Cadeyrn Neville, Jono Owen, Josh Mann-Rea, Pek Cowan. Reserves: Josh Holmes, Beau Robinson, Luke Holmes, Elvis Taione, Salesi Manu, Eddie Aholelei, Luke Jones, George Smith. Coaches: Tim Lane and Sam Harris. As Lane told the paper: ''That's not a bad side, is it?''

Access to grounds and local crowds as well as providing a sort of reserve grade fixture prior. I just think that it should be given its own window to ensure everyone apart from those in the Wallaby squad (and those not required during the 4Ns) would be available throughout its entirety.

That wouldn't be a bad Manly side in such a T3 competition.

 

[Richo]

Surely you could give the rights to a third tier rugby comp to one of the commercial channels. We didn't have commercial digital channels back in 2007 so you'd think they would have space to fill. I think if it got off the ground people would watch it. Televising the 'match of the round' only seems like a bit of a waste of time.

Not to a downer on this point, but I doubt this is viable. There are plenty of live sporting options with which networks could fill those digital channels but they don't. Why? It's too expensive - not the rights necessarily, just the actual shooting. It's less risky to run endless repeats of shitty sitcoms instead. This is one of the key reasons One went from being a sports channel to a "men's stuff" channel that shows Cops and Ice Road Truckers.

I think you may be surprised. One televise the NBL with an average rating of 30,000. Ratings that if on other channels would have seen the programming except that the NBL gave them the rights without charge. They have now managed to negotiate the rights back onto Ten proper for the upcoming season. Rugby could do this and return a greater return in term of viewership than the NBL. It really needs to be considered.

I would think (educated guess) that iiNet was a significant player in bringing the NBL back to 10. If a 3T comp could obtain a similar backer such a move might be viable. That, to my mind, is some way down the road.