NRC onwards and upwards

[WorkingClassRugger]

Yep WCR, the Rams were supposed to represent Western Sydney, but are now become Greater Sydney but essentially just Eastwood and the growth areas of Sydney (the West) have been shunned again. Concord would be a great option. Good facilities and a chance to spread the Gospel rather than preach to the converted


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It would be a fairer overall location in my opinion. TG Milner is a nuisance to get to via public transport while Concord Oval is only a short walk away.

 

[Silverado]

It would be a fairer overall location in my opinion. TG Milner is a nuisance to get to via public transport while Concord Oval is only a short walk away.

And Concord was built in the 1980s as Sydneys Ballymore because it was geographically the centre of Sydney


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[WorkingClassRugger]

And Concord was built in the 1980s as Sydneys Ballymore because it was geographically the centre of Sydney


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This coupled with better coordination with the clubs and I mean all the clubs not just the 12 current Shute Shield clubs could be a real boon for the game in Sydney. With a single Sydney and Country team run by say the Tahs (as the Qld teams are run by the Reds) events can be more coordinated on the engagement side of things. Work with the clubs to get as many of their members to games. In the case of the regions. Schedule a game in a region and then help organise transport to get as many people to the ground as possible. Offer deals on entry and concessions as part of the package. Look at what works in 7s in terms of building atmosphere and do something similar. It's something that I'm actually quite disappointed about the Rams this season. Last season they did a great job building a crowd but this season moving all games to Milner outside of the Pasifka rd. The crowds have been poor.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I think part of the problem with the NSW sides is that the non-Wallaby Tahs were generally awful this year. There was little depth and that has flowed down to the NRC teams.

The Tahs that are currently out injured from what I can work out are Latu and Clark.

The Country Eagles contingent have been doing reasonably well and they are improving after a slow start.

For the Rams, Roach, Holloway and Naiyaravoro have been good. Holloway has missed a couple of games through injury. Mason has been injured a bit but has generally been pretty solid.

The Rays have just as few Waratahs and McDuling isn't that influential, Simone has been injured a bit and not performing that well. Fitzpatrick has been pretty solid but he is not an overly flashy player.

BH, I think you're right about the non-Wallabies Tahs this year. However, I would disagree with you about Naiyaravoro and Mason being in good form in the NRC. Give the ball to Taquele at full pace up to 20m out and he'll most likely score, true, but his input to the remainder of the game is essentially invisible. Mason might have had some ok games or moments, but his efforts last weekend were about the poorest I've seen from a professional player this year. Very hot and cold, or perhaps more accurately very luke warm and cold.

 

[Braveheart81]

BH, I think you're right about the non-Wallabies Tahs this year. However, I would disagree with you about Naiyaravoro and Mason being in good form in the NRC. Give the ball to Taquele at full pace up to 20m out and he'll most likely score, true, but his input to the remainder of the game is essentially invisible. Mason might have had some ok games or moments, but his efforts last weekend were about the poorest I've seen from a professional player this year. Very hot and cold, or perhaps more accurately very luke warm and cold.

Naiayaravoro has made plenty of tackles busts and line breaks. Him and John Grant on the wings would probably be the two best backs for the Rams in my opinion.

I said Mason had been "pretty solid". Hardly a resounding endorsement.

A big issue for the NSW teams are these fringe Super Rugby players haven't been stepping up and starring in the competition like some of the others have.

For the Vikings players like Cusack, Valetini, Fainga'a, Muirhead etc. have been outstanding.

For the Queensland teams, a couple of non Super Rugby wingers have been electric and Hamish Stewart has really progressed at 10 for Country. The Queensland Country backrow has been outstanding and all those guys are pushing for opportunity in Super Rugby next year.

Outside of probably Tayler Adams for the Eagles, it's hard to pick a NSW based player who has really come from nowhere to be a star of the comp.

 

[Braveheart81]

Last year the three NSW teams were 1st, 2nd and 6th in the regular season.

I don't think it is crazy to cut back a NSW team to make it an 8 team comp but I also don't think it's essential for the competitiveness of the NSW teams.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Last year the three NSW teams were 1st, 2nd and 6th in the regular season.

I don't think it is crazy to cut back a NSW team to make it an 8 team comp but I also don't think it's essential for the competitiveness of the NSW teams.

I'd like to see the NRC add more games to the schedule so cutting one team so cutting a NSW would make that more workable in the sense of 8 teams would work better than 9 in my opinion. Two pools of 4 playing each pool opponent twice plus each of the other teams from the other pool once for 10 game plus finals. Total 12 weeks.

 

[kiap]

Ask the Force how those guarantees go

If Greater Sydney Rams get the boot from NRC, I say they get invited to the IPRC.

Invite a Brisbane club as well. Sunnybank can scrounge up some cash and players.

 

[TOCC]

Last year the three NSW teams were 1st, 2nd and 6th in the regular season.

I don't think it is crazy to cut back a NSW team to make it an 8 team comp but I also don't think it's essential for the competitiveness of the NSW teams.

This was before the SRU shifted the SS finals, now Sydney teams have less time to prep, unless the SRU are going to be flexible then the short prep time will hurt the Sydney teams

 

[Bandar]

I really think there need to be two NRC teams per Super franchise. Rebels - Rising & Spirit, Reds - Brisbane & QLD Country, Tahs, Rams & Rays, Brumbies - Vikings & NSW Country. This would evenly distribute the professional players and force the Tahs into managing their two teams much like the rest of the NRC teams.

I'd like to see the NRC add more games to the schedule so cutting one team so cutting a NSW would make that more workable in the sense of 8 teams would work better than 9 in my opinion. Two pools of 4 playing each pool opponent twice plus each of the other teams from the other pool once for 10 game plus finals. Total 12 weeks.

I also like what you are saying here WCR but that conflicts with the 2 teams per franchise... Maybe we ca get World Rugby to also fund a Tongan or Samoan team and make it two pools of 5???

 

[TOCC]

Does anybody know how to get tickets for the Drua-Qld game in Lautoka this weekend? Can't work it out.

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[WorkingClassRugger]

I really think there need to be two NRC teams per Super franchise. Rebels - Rising & Spirit, Reds - Brisbane & QLD Country, Tahs, Rams & Rays, Brumbies - Vikings & NSW Country. This would evenly distribute the professional players and force the Tahs into managing their two teams much like the rest of the NRC teams.


I also like what you are saying here WCR but that conflicts with the 2 teams per franchise. Maybe we ca get World Rugby to also fund a Tongan or Samoan team and make it two pools of 5???

I'd actually welcome World Rugby looking to emulate the Drua with another Island base squad.

 

[Jagman]

Thanks for that. Picked up 2 tickets

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[Micheal]

I'd actually welcome World Rugby looking to emulate the Drua with another Island base squad.

I'd love for that to happen as well, but is it really viable?

Fiji has a population of ~900k. Samoa and Tonga are both sitting around ~200k and ~100k respectively - very different sized player pools and markets.

 

[Jagman]

I'd love for that to happen as well, but is it really viable?

Fiji has a population of ~900k. Samoa and Tonga are both sitting around ~200k and ~100k respectively - very different sized player pools and markets.

You've got to remember that Fiji is made up almost 40% of people from Indian decent who don't typically contribute to rugby the way the native Fijians do.

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[Blind Freddy]

Does anyone know how many locally-produced players are in the Spirit and Vikings teams in play today? ie how many juniors from WA and ACT?

 

[RugbyReg]

Does anyone know how many locally-produced players are in the Spirit and Vikings teams in play today? ie how many juniors from WA and ACT?

This is my best guess. Vikings: 6 from ACT - Sione, Makin, Oakman-Hunt, Cusack, Lonergan, Johnston 2 from NSW - Fainga'a, Dargaville 4 from QLD - Swain, Fakoasilia, Ikitau, Banks 2 from NZL - Hawera, Muirhead 1 from VIC - Valetini Spirit: 3 from WA - Ferris, Koteka, Jooste 2 from NZ - Rangi, David 2 from QLD - Vui, Prior 3 from NSW - Cowan, Arnold, Grant 1 from Fiji - Naisarani 4 from SAF - Grant, Owen, Verity-Amm, Brache

 

[RugbyReg]

basically 6 ACT Schoolboys in the Vikings.

3 WA Schoolboys in the Spirit.

 

[Slim 293]

Does anyone know how many locally-produced players are in the Spirit and Vikings teams in play today? ie how many juniors from WA and ACT?

Ten from the ACT:

Sione
Lloyd
Makin
Abel
Swain
Cusack
Oakman-Hunt x 2
Lonergan
Johnston

 

[RugbyReg]

Ten from the ACT:

Sione
Lloyd
Makin
Abel
Swain
Cusack
Oakman-Hunt x 2
Lonergan
Johnston

I only counted the starting XV.

Swain is a Qlder

http://amp.canberratimes.com.au/rug...olster-super-rugby-squad-20170824-gy2x9h.html