QLD Premier Rugby 2025

[Pfitzy]

This is one from the Shute Shield, but a flick through that page shows there's opportunities in lots of places

Funny how some people in the Shute Shield arena think they are the development path for the Wallabies - OK then why can't you even develop your own talent?

 

[Strewthcobber]

Funny how some people in the Shute Shield arena think they are the development path for the Wallabies - OK then why can't you even develop your own talent?

Isn't one of the answers that their "own talent" has gone off to be paid in Japan, or MLR, or France etc etc wtc

 

[Pfitzy]

Isn't one of the answers that their "own talent" has gone off to be paid in Japan, or MLR, or France etc etc wtc

That's a good point, though I doubt the numbers are massive. I think a gig overseas would be excellent for a lot of talent, and don't blame them for taking the opportunity.

I'm really looking at big clubs who have enough for 5 Grades + 4 Colts and are still importing. Perhaps they've got cultural issues with retention?

Sydney has multiple rugby playing schools (not as many as days of yore, mind), with multiple XVs every year who should be able to fill out every Premier and Subbies Colts program, but a lot of them don't come out the other side of schools it seems.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

This is one from the Shute Shield, but a flick through that page shows there's opportunities in lots of places

pity that so many coaches are out there willing to buy something they think might be better than what they have got.

Maybe the code needs to look at the attrition rates from junior / schools level into Colts and onto Seniors and why it is so.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Hospital Cup getting in on the act too.

 

[Pfitzy]

Hospital Cup getting in on the act too.

Love how they state small match fee from the outset. For players in those ranks, they'll be hoping the job covers it.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

Love how they state small match fee from the outset. For players in those ranks, they'll be hoping the job covers it.

wonder how they are able to pay a match fee?
Most Brisbane clubs are not flush with cash (have a look at Souths books this year), they run on the smell of an oily rag, use a lot of volunteer efforts, seek grants, have players pay subs (circa $600) and constantly hunt and beg sponsors.
To then think that coercing a mercenary in will make their operation more attractive is ludicrous.

 

[Strewthcobber]

wonder how they are able to pay a match fee?
Most Brisbane clubs are not flush with cash (have a look at Souths books this year), they run on the smell of an oily rag, use a lot of volunteer efforts, seek grants, have players pay subs (circa $600) and constantly hunt and beg sponsors.

Couple of hundred $$$ a game from one of the sponsors or wealthier club people.

Never appears on the books.

At least that's how it used to work

 

[PhilClinton]

Callum Lauder from Souths gone to Hong Kong RUFC

I know there is a decent rugby community in Hong Kong but I wasn't aware players went over there to play as a pathway. Is it there another party involved and it's work related?

 

[The Whisperer]

wonder how they are able to pay a match fee?
Most Brisbane clubs are not flush with cash (have a look at Souths books this year), they run on the smell of an oily rag, use a lot of volunteer efforts, seek grants, have players pay subs (circa $600) and constantly hunt and beg sponsors.
To then think that coercing a mercenary in will make their operation more attractive is ludicrous.

You’re kidding right? Souths were paying majority of their 1st Grade and Colts players. Some getting absurd money that they didn’t warrant and are now off to other clubs……

 

[LevitatingSocks]

I know there is a decent rugby community in Hong Kong but I wasn't aware players went over there to play as a pathway. Is it there another party involved and it's work related?

Unsure re: work arrangements, but playing for the Hong Kong rep team in 15s or 7s is great way to play international rugby if you don't have other options.

Far less of a culture shock than Japan given the prevalence of English.

 

[Interested Viewer]

Unsure re: work arrangements, but playing for the Hong Kong rep team in 15s or 7s is great way to play international rugby if you don't have other options.

Far less of a culture shock than Japan given the prevalence of English.

Just jumped on their socials they the front row for HKRFC is JP Tominiko from The Bank and Tom Fowler the THP from Easts

 

[noknowledgeatall]

You’re kidding right? Souths were paying majority of their 1st Grade and Colts players. Some getting absurd money that they didn’t warrant and are now off to other clubs……

Apparently Souths promised $$$$
a lot of it has not been distributed allegedly - hence the exodus

 

[Bulldog]

We should forget about expansion as the biggest issue for QPR over coming seasons is how clubs managing the increasing professionalism (I.e. payment of players).
Some clubs simply don’t have the financial capacity to compete for players on financial grounds and at the very worst it may bankrupt some historic clubs.

 

[Bulldog]

Currently there is a divide in QPR with financial capacity rankings roughly

tier 1: Wests, Brothers, Uni
Tier 2: Bond
Tier 3: Souths, Easts, Norths, GPS, Sunnybank

I can’t see the 2025-2027 premiers coming from outside the tier 1 clubs.

 

[Serge]

Currently there is a divide in QPR with financial capacity rankings roughly

tier 1: Wests, Brothers, Uni
Tier 2: Bond
Tier 3: Souths, Easts, Norths, GPS, Sunnybank

I can’t see the 2025-2027 premiers coming from outside the tier 1 clubs.

Is 'financial capacity' the right term, or are you talking about a willingness to pay players rather than not pay players and invest in player development internally. Some of the clubs in your lower tiers have no debt and healthy bank accounts.

 

[noknowledgeatall]

A 10 team comp does away with the bye round.
Gives the comp another "product" to market
Gives opportunity for another group to show their wares and assist with the attrition rate from schoolboy to colts to grade.
Shows the game is cognisant of the growth in SE Qld and not stuck in yesteryear - Moving with the times.
Club rugby has traditionally been the development grounds for State and National Representation. If it is strong and healthy by good management and participation, then the knock on is immense.

 

[The Whisperer]

Caboolture makes the most sense in trying to capture the Sunshine Coast and beyond market.
They have great facilities too.
Could easily have them start with 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, Colts 1 and Women in the first 1-3 years.

 

[Mismatch]

Currently there is a divide in QPR with financial capacity rankings roughly

tier 1: Wests, Brothers, Uni
Tier 2: Bond
Tier 3: Souths, Easts, Norths, GPS, Sunnybank

I can’t see the 2025-2027 premiers coming from outside the tier 1 clubs.

You could argue by the latest upgrades and extensions - Easts and GPS are on a similar path Wests made a couple of years ago to get into the positon they are in.

 

[Bulldog]

The thing that seems obvious but not often said is that RA/QRU has neglected grass roots / junior rugby - they have left this to junior clubs and schools. Unlike the AFL & NRL. This means that we have a number of QPR clubs (not all of them) who balance their responsibilities for junior development with QPR aspirations.
Maybe for the overall sake of Rugby in Australia is that we get junior development right in areas that don’t have a QPR club.
Possibly if the game had invested in the junior side of the Logan Saints that eventually they would have graduated to becoming a QPR club, as Sunnybank did.
if I was going to identify an area for junior development of the game it would be North Lakes.