southsider
Arch Winning (36)
They’ve butchered the small amount of tribalism they had, I’m not supporting a team called the rays. If they’re going to go just one Sydney team I think they should adopt the old Sydney fleet name/logo
The problem with the NRC and how to fix it
- Thread starter TahDan
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They’ve butchered the small amount of tribalism they had, I’m not supporting a team called the rays. If they’re going to go just one Sydney team I think they should adopt the old Sydney fleet name/logo
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I'm less affected by this move as I essentially saw this coming from last season with Eastwood taking control of the Rams and moving them to TG Milner. That killed any momentum built from the previous season at Concord Oval and for all intensive purposes the Rams as a Western Sydney team. Even though Concord wasn't either.
And I was a Rams supporter.
This has been on the cards for at least a year and while I'm not ecstatic about it hopefully this will see the Tahs get more involved and look to invest more time and energy into the competition. But this has to be the last reduction of teams and the schedule needs to be grown from here on in.
As for support. I'm going to do as Braveheart has suggested and tap into my country heritage and support the Eagles. Which I sort of started to do last season anyway with the Rams move.
southsider
Arch Winning (36)
Yea cheers didn’t think of that..........
With you on all of that, WCR. The original iteration of the Rams with the Emus, Two Blues, Pirates and Woodies flying the flag for representative rugby in western Sydney had a lot of merit, and enormous potential. Then the great wrecker, Papworth, spat the dummy and refused to put any equity into the initial 2014 venture. How the fuck Eastwood could justify their decision to take over the Rams in 2017 after boycotting them for the previous three years remains a mystery.
Last year for the Rams was an unmitigated disaster. The joint venture did some healthy development work in its area in the earlier years culminating in some wonderful Pacifika tournaments at Concord with men's and women's games between teams from our four eastern cousins. These led to interstate matches from similar teams in Brisbane. Watching those tournaments with Fijian, Maori, Samoan and Tongan teams supported by their families and much celebration was one of the highlights in rugby for me these last many years. There was NO follow up for Pacific teams last year by Eastwood at Millner.
I was sitting in the western stand at Millner for the first Rams match last year horrified to see a brown grassless pitch for a representative match. Glancing over to the eastern side and the drab clubhouse depressed me even more; the best spectator spots were taken by club members, all white bread and (in my experience) with little or no interest in the development of rugby beyond glory for Eastwood. To the immediate north of the clubhouse are the dressing sheds, well to term them dressing sheds is offensive to dressing sheds at other sporting grounds. I've seen better changing/showering facilities at shearing sheds in southern NSW; they are appalling! A good nudge from a decent front row and they'd fall over. I doubt Eastwood's spent a cent on them the last 30 years.
This attitude to preserve what we had in the past at all costs by Papworth and others of his ilk will be the death of rugby in this country. Taking the Rams off them is a small but positive step.
Last year for the Rams was an unmitigated disaster. The joint venture did some healthy development work in its area in the earlier years culminating in some wonderful Pacifika tournaments at Concord with men's and women's games between teams from our four eastern cousins. These led to interstate matches from similar teams in Brisbane. Watching those tournaments with Fijian, Maori, Samoan and Tongan teams supported by their families and much celebration was one of the highlights in rugby for me these last many years. There was NO follow up for Pacific teams last year by Eastwood at Millner.
I was sitting in the western stand at Millner for the first Rams match last year horrified to see a brown grassless pitch for a representative match. Glancing over to the eastern side and the drab clubhouse depressed me even more; the best spectator spots were taken by club members, all white bread and (in my experience) with little or no interest in the development of rugby beyond glory for Eastwood. To the immediate north of the clubhouse are the dressing sheds, well to term them dressing sheds is offensive to dressing sheds at other sporting grounds. I've seen better changing/showering facilities at shearing sheds in southern NSW; they are appalling! A good nudge from a decent front row and they'd fall over. I doubt Eastwood's spent a cent on them the last 30 years.
This attitude to preserve what we had in the past at all costs by Papworth and others of his ilk will be the death of rugby in this country. Taking the Rams off them is a small but positive step.
Bandar
Bob Loudon (25)
I hear they only kept the Rays name due to a sponsorship arrangement - hopefully that could have be renegotiated and the Fleet make a comeback. If not maybe in another year or two it might???
I always thought the only way that the NRC would work and have competitive sides was to have two sides under each Super Rugby side
Having multiple sydney sides playing the some essentially Super Rugby teams without their wobs and two sides from Qld wasn't sustainable
Having multiple sydney sides playing the some essentially Super Rugby teams without their wobs and two sides from Qld wasn't sustainable
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
Two sides per Super Rugby team is probably the best set up. Would have liked one of those to have been the Rams but alas that is not the case.
sunnyboys
Bob Loudon (25)
Think this is a good move. Still allows the addition of more teams as well - if required.
for instance - IF(!) NRC had to be re-purposed as the main comp between Mar-June you could easily set up a Western Sydney team (if the demand was there) - which would fit it easily with a Syd City and NSW Country set up.
for instance - IF(!) NRC had to be re-purposed as the main comp between Mar-June you could easily set up a Western Sydney team (if the demand was there) - which would fit it easily with a Syd City and NSW Country set up.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I'd prefer to see an expansion of the schedule over new teams in the coming seasons.
The Honey Badger
Jim Lenehan (48)
I seem to remember them having some recent success.
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The Honey Badger
Jim Lenehan (48)
I wonder if the Rams could exist in Twiggy ball, that's what I would like to see
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I'd guess one was essentially controlled by Eastwood and the other was happy to fall in under the NSWRU umbrella.
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liquor box
Peter Sullivan (51)
I agree, if not all Super teams then certainly 2 x QLD, 2 x NSW, 2 x ACT (include some Country NSW) 1 x Melbourne and 1 x Perth.
2 teams is best, it allows the Super Rugby team to have 2 x assistant coaches coach as head coach at the next level to prove themselves, like Thorn at the Reds.
It allows the Super Rugby team to test players before they get a contract.
Silverado
Dick Tooth (41)
At least the Eagles take their games to regional areas and attempt to grow the game in the bush. Rugby in the country is struggling. They were sponsored by Elders and have held their own. I know the West of Sydney gets the rough end, but rugby will disappear up its own arse if they drop country. It seems to work pretty well in Qld. Attracts fans and city v country has always promoted rivalry
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eastman
John Solomon (38)
Strong recent performance should not factor that heavily when prioritising franchies, there are other metrics that are far more important including attendances (and potential for attendances), commercial opportunities (re. sponsorships) sponsorships and broadcast viewers. It is clear that a Western Sydney team has far more potential for a competition that needs to grow.
The reality is that all talented country rugby players move to the big cities to play Shute Shield anyway, so Country Rugby is not a legitimate pathway. These players can then be allocated to the City/ Western Sydney teams based on their club teams.
It wasn't a Western Sydney side though. It was essentially an Eastwood side.
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eastman
John Solomon (38)
How hard would it be to create a new Western Sydney side?
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