National Rugby Championship 2014

[kiap]

I agree there's some great grounds in country areas like Mudgee etc but it could be a problem getting Fox Sports there. I suspect that's one of the reasons the country team will be based at Moore Park, at least for the first year.

Yeah, but Fox are not committed to broadcasting every game of the comp.

Looks like they'll be cherry-picking one, or maybe two for a double-header, out of the four matches available each round.

So NSW Country would not be restricted from playing at Newcastle, Wagga, or Orange, etc, for a home game (or three) out of the four they get in the season.

The good thing about being based out of Moore Park means they'll train in Sydney so that their country-origin recruits already living in Sydney (there will probably be many) don't have to move house (with all the associated costs).

Similar story for Queensland Country training in Brisbane.

I'd still like to see at least half of their home games played in country centres though.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Yeah, but Fox are not committed to broadcasting every game of the comp.

Looks like they'll be cherry-picking one, or maybe two for a double-header, out of the four matches available each round.

So NSW Country would not be restricted from playing at Newcastle, Wagga, or Orange, etc, for a home game (or three) out of the four they get in the season.

The good thing about being based out of Moore Park means they'll train in Sydney so that their country-origin recruits already living in Sydney (there will probably be many) don't have to move house (with all the associated costs).

Similar story for Queensland Country training in Brisbane.

I'd still like to see at least half of their home games played in country centres though.

Hopefully someone at the ARU are looking into the streaming options. It would make sense.

If not the ARU then it would be wise for the individual groups to seriously consider it. Some may quote cost. However, I have a hard time buying into that. The Glendale Raptors (Denver, Colorado) stream all their homes games via a Ustream channel. It's quite professionally done. Commentary and all. The club operates off less than these groups will.

 

[Tomikin]

Brumbies have had one extra game though.
Interesting table this year, Aust 3rd place on the table on 14 points is equal to the NZ's top of the table on 14 points - however Chiefs have only played 4 games as well.

The answer to this is Money in the bank.. You still have to win your game .. Althought Brumbies need to start getting some bonus points or we could win more and still finish second..

I do admit I love the fact the Australian Conference is kicking Arse.. The Force beat the cheifs The Brumbies are still the Brumbies, the Reds are playing well but getting screwed.. and even the loony toons that is NSW is actually quite scary to come up against.. and while the rebs aren't going great, they are always good for an ambush (hopefully not this weekend)

 

[tranquility]

With regards to the QLD sides I wonder how they will break them up?

Country areas will include; The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Far North and all the other great rugby nurseries like the Darling Downs etc. However will players not selected for the metro side play for the country side? Surely there will be an excess of players for the city side.

Not complaining as I understand the realities of it all, but it will be interesting how it plays out.

 

[Tomikin]

Yeah, but Fox are not committed to broadcasting every game of the comp.

Looks like they'll be cherry-picking one, or maybe two for a double-header, out of the four matches available each round.

So NSW Country would not be restricted from playing at Newcastle, Wagga, or Orange, etc, for a home game (or three) out of the four they get in the season.

The good thing about being based out of Moore Park means they'll train in Sydney so that their country-origin recruits already living in Sydney (there will probably be many) don't have to move house (with all the associated costs).

Similar story for Queensland Country training in Brisbane.

I'd still like to see at least half of their home games played in country centres though.

I hope they put in a bit of effort to do country promotion you know get out to your city's run clinics and sign stuff.. Jesus even go and ref a few games for the area..

I remember as a kid getting a professional sports person out to my school to just help coach was the bee's knee's.. Im sure country kids would love it even more.. May not be a Izzy Folue but a Jono Lance or a James Hansen still makes a big difference..

 

[AngrySeahorse]

I agree there's some great grounds in country areas like Mudgee etc but it could be a problem getting Fox Sports there. I suspect that's one of the reasons the country team will be based at Moore Park, at least for the first year.

Just tell Foxtel we'll get a group of supporters take footage of the game on a collection of phones, cameras, & hand held cams all hooked up to a live steam controlled by Foxtel HQ - and they can call it "Country Vision".

 

[kiap]

Hopefully someone at the ARU are looking into the streaming options. It would make sense.

If not the ARU then it would be wise for the individual groups to seriously consider it. Some may quote cost. However, I have a hard time buying into that. The Glendale Raptors (Denver, Colorado) stream all their homes games via a Ustream channel. It's quite professionally done. Commentary and all. The club operates off less than these groups will.

There is a bloke called John Murray looking to do this for the Shute Shield this year (I think he was on one of the G&G podcasts recently).

He was also interested in the NRC, but was probably locked out by the deal with FOX.

You're right, though, streaming is the future for capturing these non-broadcast (FTA or Pay TV) games. Hopefully it can happen after the first or second seasons.

I'm content with the FOX arrangement for now though. The ARU needed a deal to get the competition on our TV screens and get some revenue for it. It gets the NRC underway.

 

[Quick Hands]

Finally an announcement.

An observation - the inability of Randwick and/or Easts to work together was unfortunate, we'll see in what way/s they are associated with the NSW Country outfit (what was that criteria about no old names)

I hope this works - go the Rays.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I thought Sunnybank put a bid together? God knows they need a "worthwhile" cause to put their hard earned pokies dollars to good use

They did. QRU preferred the QC (Quade Cooper)/GC bid, bankrolled by Bond Uni. It'll probably work for a while, too, until the money walks.

 

[Tigers Tale]

With regards to the QLD sides I wonder how they will break them up?

Country areas will include; The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Far North and all the other great rugby nurseries like the Darling Downs etc. However will players not selected for the metro side play for the country side? Surely there will be an excess of players for the city side.

Not complaining as I understand the realities of it all, but it will be interesting how it plays out.

They say they will split the non-wallaby Reds into City & Country based on origin criteria - so once you split up them, the extended playing squad, U20 there won't be many spots left for your rank & file Prem Grade player let alone country talent.

The Qld Country Rugby Union are not involved with running the team.

Interesting to see how:
1. PNG, NZ, SA e.g. Aidan Toua, Pettowa Paraka, Mike Harris, etc; or
2. Interstate origin e.g. Lachlan Turner, Beau Robinson, Ant Fainga
get categorised.

What do they mean by the quota - does that mean a player tied up with the Waratahs/Reds could get sent to Perth/Melb - can't see the Waratah or Reds agreeing to that.

 

[RugbyFuture]

Bit dissapointed that the NHRU didn't put their hand up with the NSW CRU for them to be based there, I think it would have made more logical sense. I suppose the Newcastle boys were scared away too early.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

 

[kiap]

- does that mean a player tied up with the Waratahs/Reds could get sent to Perth/Melb

I'm sure that won't happen—for cost reasons alone, before even considering anything else.

And it's not needed when there are already 30+ Super players as well as academies and development squads in Melbourne and Perth.

It may happen the other way around with some of those Super players restoring links in Sydney (some—but not too many, because it disrupts and adds cost).

I reckon Queensland's teams will be fairly self-contained, without any Reds players moving.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

There is a bloke called John Murray looking to do this for the Shute Shield this year (I think he was on one of the G&G podcasts recently).

He was also interested in the NRC, but was probably locked out by the deal with FOX.

You're right, though, streaming is the future for capturing these non-broadcast (FTA or Pay TV) games. Hopefully it can happen after the first or second seasons.

I'm content with the FOX arrangement for now though. The ARU needed a deal to get the competition on our TV screens and get some revenue for it. It gets the NRC underway.

I agree. Many critical of the NRC cite the lack of FTA coverage but the facts are without the money from Foxtel we wouldn't have the NRC to begin with.

 

[couldabeen]

Indeed, there are some wonderful smaller boutique style grounds out in the country that should be able to cover the number of supporters that would go to these games. Loig tries to do this with the City-Country concept that doesnt seem to mean a whole lot to them any more. This would be a good way for Rugby to get in on that scene. Great idea for sure.

I am absolutely thrilled that NSW country are in the mix!
two strong country centres
Central Coast - Bluetongue Stadium
Illawarra - WIN Stadium

Would love to see a Country state of Origin team play!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The National Schools Model/National U16's model wasn't too far off the money with their established 8 team Div I competition. Rough equivalents in Blue.

Queensland typically perform well at the Age Group championships. The NSW Player pool is now spread across one extra team. Queensland have maintained a concentration of their forces and must be early favourites, while NSW may have spread their forces a little too thin on the ground.

There is probably one too many NSW entrants, but time will tell which one may be the bridge too far. Ultimately money will talk and the fiscally sustainable will survive.

So the teams are:

Brisbane City (Qld Reds)
Qld Country (QLD White)
North Harbour Rays
Sydney (NSW Schools [U16]/NSW I [U18])
Greater Sydney (SJRU[U16]/NSW II [U18])
Melbourne (Victoria)
Perth (WA)
Canberra (ACT)
NSW country (NSW Country(U16)/Combined States[U18])

9 team competition with four home games and four away games.

Semi finals and final.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I am absolutely thrilled that NSW country are in the mix!
two strong country centres
Central Coast - Bluetongue Stadium
Illawarra - WIN Stadium

Would love to see a Country state of Origin team play!

There's actually a perfect pitch in Wollongong for hosting these games. It's holds around 5,000 has a brand new grandstand. It's owned by one of the local leagues clubs but I doubt they'd be adverse to a little income being generated by what otherwise would be a expense.

 

[TOCC]

I agree. Many critical of the NRC cite the lack of FTA coverage but the facts are without the money from Foxtel we wouldn't have the NRC to begin with.

No doubt the streaming option was also purchased by Foxsports as part of the overall broadcast package, this initial season will be a test case, if ratings go well there could be the chance that we will see more games broadcast in 2015.

 

[TOCC]

There's actually a perfect pitch in Wollongong for hosting these games. It's holds around 5,000 has a brand new grandstand. It's owned by one of the local leagues clubs but I doubt they'd be adverse to a little income being generated by what otherwise would be a expense.

5'000 crowds might be optimistic to start with, the Canberra team had budgeted for 1'000 on average

 

[couldabeen]

There's actually a perfect pitch in Wollongong for hosting these games. It's holds around 5,000 has a brand new grandstand. It's owned by one of the local leagues clubs but I doubt they'd be adverse to a little income being generated by what otherwise would be a expense.

which one is it?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

which one is it?

Collegians Sports Centre. According to Austadiums it has a capacity of 5,000.

As for whether you'd get that many.I think you'd get close for a country fixture from the local Rugby community if advertised well in advance.