Where to for Super Rugby?

[Rebels3]

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp...z/news-story/cd73d3562a2a6ddbb8aa8811766e2590

Interesting - don’t know how that would work. Good luck with that strategy I say as I doubt oz fans suddenly going to tune in droves to have one oz side play nz super rugby sides. Would just mean I watch as many force games as nz super rugby Aurora games - ie zero.

Reading it, the headline makes more of what the journalist actually reports Hodgson said. Not much in it and wouldn’t be worried, Hodgson just showing due diligence as you’d expect someone in his position to do. Article does state that Force have confirmed they will approach Rodda, Lucas and Hockings

 

[sunnyboys]

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp...z/news-story/cd73d3562a2a6ddbb8aa8811766e2590

Interesting - don’t know how that would work. Good luck with that strategy I say as I doubt oz fans suddenly going to tune in droves to have one oz side play nz super rugby sides. Would just mean I watch as many force games as nz super rugby Aurora games - ie zero.

With friends like these....

 

[kiap]

Interesting - don’t know how that would work. Good luck with that strategy I say as I doubt oz fans suddenly going to tune in droves

I do see foresee a few problems with it - which I won't go into for the moment.

Nobody tuning in ain't one of them, though … because no one does that now.

 

[kiap]

Reading it, the headline makes more of what the journalist actually reports Hodgson said. Not much in it and wouldn’t be worried, Hodgson just showing due diligence as you’d expect someone in his position to do. Article does state that Force have confirmed they will approach Rodda, Lucas and Hockings

Yeah, RA need to work it out with Hodgo and Evans, and vice versa.

We all know the framework of the previous quarter century is gone. Swept away.

With friends like these.

Got to be a friend to get a friend.

 

[Adam84]

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp...z/news-story/cd73d3562a2a6ddbb8aa8811766e2590

Interesting - don’t know how that would work. Good luck with that strategy I say as I doubt oz fans suddenly going to tune in droves to have one oz side play nz super rugby sides. Would just mean I watch as many force games as nz super rugby Aurora games - ie zero.

I’d say the Force are pretty close to confirming details with RA and are now using NZ as a bargaining chip to get a few more terms and conditions to suit them.

 

[Dan54]

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp...z/news-story/cd73d3562a2a6ddbb8aa8811766e2590

Interesting - don’t know how that would work. Good luck with that strategy I say as I doubt oz fans suddenly going to tune in droves to have one oz side play nz super rugby sides. Would just mean I watch as many force games as nz super rugby Aurora games - ie zero.

Can't read behind the paywall, but if it suggestion that Force go in NZ Aotearoa, can't see it, though I would still think a lot would watch as rugby people anyway. From what I can gather North/South game on weekend and generally Super Aotearoa all had pretty reasonable viewing figures here. I still think main appetite from everyone is TT in some form, and only question is whether RA can afford to be in it as they want.

 

[dru]

I have said all along that Force would keep their options open and make the choice that best suits them. We are fortunate in that those odds are well stacked in the favour of an Aus competition, as long as that comp is better than half-arsed.

RA need to have their thinking caps on here, ball is in their court.

 

[Number 7]

Does anyone know if there would be anything stopping Australia having a 6 team comp next year from the perspective that there would be no bye thus players could potentially play 10-12 consecutive games? I dont think there would be however with the old Super Rugby format teams would barely play 6 consecutive games before a bye and I always wondered if it was to manage travel or fatigue, or both. Occasionally there would be a 3-team bye weekend which seemed odd.

Surely broadcasters would want 3 games a weekend.

 

[KOB1987]

Does anyone know if there would be anything stopping Australia having a 6 team comp next year from the perspective that there would be no bye thus players could potentially play 10-12 consecutive games? I dont think there would be however with the old Super Rugby format teams would barely play 6 consecutive games before a bye and I always wondered if it was to manage travel or fatigue, or both. Occasionally there would be a 3-team bye weekend which seemed odd.

Surely broadcasters would want 3 games a weekend.

That's why they are trying to get Japan in the mix

 

[Dan54]

Can't see any teams getting formed out of nothing in 3 months though. Think Aus and NZ will be same number of teams as this year

 

[Joe King]

Just listened to the podcast with Ben Darwin mentioned earlier. Very informative! Even if he's right (which I suspect he is) he understands that we can't voluntarily cut any teams. We've past that point. It would be like trying to get rid of 2 of your 5 children. The only way it would happen is if we are forced to for finacial reasons.

I suspect the reason the Force are keeping their options open in this manner, and that RA hasn't been able to completely reassure them is because there is still a chance we will be forced to cut teams for finacial reasons. Could I be right in thinking that?

Anyway, if we are to keep 5 teams, does anybody have any ideas on how to maximize cohesion based on Darwin's theory?

One idea he suggested (and then rebutted) was by stacking three of our teams with our best talent and basically getting the Force and Rebels to pick locally and then fill the rest of the team up with o/s players.

I wondered if another option was to keep our 5 as a base for an NRC and then pick two new rep teams on top of that for a TT comp. Call them Aussie Green and Aussie Gold for want of better names. But the point is that none of our 5 would need to miss out or be favored.

There are some problems with this of course, but just trying to work out a way to maximize cohesion for the sake of the Wallabies, and not cause WWIII within Aussie rugby.

 

[Wilson]

Just listened to the podcast with Ben Darwin mentioned earlier. Very informative! Even if he's right (which I suspect he is) he understands that we can't voluntarily cut any teams. We've past that point. It would be like trying to get rid of 2 of your 5 children. The only way it would happen is if we are forced to for finacial reasons.

I suspect the reason the Force are keeping their options open in this manner, and that RA hasn't been able to completely reassure them is because there is still a chance we will be forced to cut teams for finacial reasons. Could I be right in thinking that?

Anyway, if we are to keep 5 teams, does anybody have any ideas on how to maximize cohesion based on Darwin's theory?

One idea he suggested (and then rebutted) was by stacking three of our teams with our best talent and basically getting the Force and Rebels to pick locally and then fill the rest of the team up with o/s players.

I wondered if another option was to keep our 5 as a base for an NRC and then pick two new rep teams on top of that for a TT comp. Call them Aussie Green and Aussie Gold for want of better names. But the point is that none of our 5 would need to miss out or be favored.

There are some problems with this of course, but just trying to work out a way to maximize cohesion for the sake of the Wallabies, and not cause WWIII within Aussie rugby.

One of the things he touches on but doesn't go too deep into was the value of the NRC for this - if each of the 5 super teams are drawing from 1-2 base NRC teams, rather then straight from their 8-10 clubs, then you can maximize the cohesion in the super teams. That helps the cohesion at the top level. More management of contracting at an RA level with an eye to cohesion can help this as well.

The other option that maintains the 5 teams is a layer between super and wallabies - state of the union, Pasifika vs All Stars, etc. As a one off, this probably doesn't do much for cohesion, but a 3 game series might help. That depends on the effect it has on wallabies tests/camps though.

Putting it all together into a "5 tier" model (club -> NRC -> Super -> 2 team Domestic rep -> Wallabies) could be a way to ensure talent is condensed to bridge the big step ups (NRC in between club and super, Rep in between super and tests). For example the reds pathway would look like Hosptials cup-> NRC -> Super = 9 teams -> 2 teams -> 1 team, and then that would join in nationally with Super-> rep -> Wallabies = 5 -> 2 -> 1. Getting the scheduling right on this might be tricky, and it requires that rep level to be generating cash flow pretty quickly, but both state of the union and Pasifika vs All Stars should be capable of that. My preference there is probably for Pasifika, as it offers us a point of difference from league and could really help with Australian rugby's popularity in pacific communities like Western Sydney and Logan.

Failing any of those bigger, more ambitious options? Bringing back Australia A is probably the easiest way to add cohesion and bridge the gap between super and test match rugby.

 

[Number 7]

One of the things he touches on but doesn't go too deep into was the value of the NRC for this - if each of the 5 super teams are drawing from 1-2 base NRC teams, rather then straight from their 8-10 clubs, then you can maximize the cohesion in the super teams. That helps the cohesion at the top level. More management of contracting at an RA level with an eye to cohesion can help this as well.

The other option that maintains the 5 teams is a layer between super and wallabies - state of the union, Pasifika vs All Stars, etc. As a one off, this probably doesn't do much for cohesion, but a 3 game series might help. That depends on the effect it has on wallabies tests/camps though.

Putting it all together into a "5 tier" model (club -> NRC -> Super -> 2 team Domestic rep -> Wallabies) could be a way to ensure talent is condensed to bridge the big step ups (NRC in between club and super, Rep in between super and tests). For example the reds pathway would look like Hosptials cup-> NRC -> Super = 9 teams -> 2 teams -> 1 team, and then that would join in nationally with Super-> rep -> Wallabies = 5 -> 2 -> 1. Getting the scheduling right on this might be tricky, and it requires that rep level to be generating cash flow pretty quickly, but both state of the union and Pasifika vs All Stars should be capable of that. My preference there is probably for Pasifika, as it offers us a point of difference from league and could really help with Australian rugby's popularity in pacific communities like Western Sydney and Logan.

Failing any of those bigger, more ambitious options? Bringing back Australia A is probably the easiest way to add cohesion and bridge the gap between super and test match rugby.

I thought that NRC was now off the table. When Rob Clarke tabled the broadcast package it did not include the NRC so some have assumed it has died a quiet death.

 

[molman]

I thought that NRC was now off the table. When Rob Clarke tabled the broadcast package it did not include the NRC so some have assumed it has died a quiet death.

I believe it is off the table atm. The reality was that I believe it was cost neutral to a degree. That was off the back of Foxtel being willing to front the broadcast and some other costs. RA still chipped in for elements, travel etc..


I'm personally going to really miss the NRC. It was a great opportunity to see future talent from across the country. Club level will just never replace it to my mind, nor the other things such as a coaching pathway that is lost with it's demise.

 

[The Honey Badger]

I wondered if another option was to keep our 5 as a base for an NRC and then pick two new rep teams on top of that for a TT comp. Call them Aussie Green NSW WARATAHS and Aussie Gold QLD REDS for want of better names. But the point is that none of our 5 would need to miss out or be favored.

There are some problems with this of course, but just trying to work out a way to maximize cohesion for the sake of the Wallabies, and not cause WWIII within Aussie rugby.

Your late to this party Joe King. Great idea though.

I fixed the names for you

 

[Wilson]

I thought that NRC was now off the table. When Rob Clarke tabled the broadcast package it did not include the NRC so some have assumed it has died a quiet death.

It is but it shouldn't be.

 

[Number 7]

I believe it is off the table atm. The reality was that I believe it was cost neutral to a degree. That was off the back of Foxtel being willing to front the broadcast and some other costs. RA still chipped in for elements, travel etc..


I'm personally going to really miss the NRC. It was a great opportunity to see future talent from across the country. Club level will just never replace it to my mind, nor the other things such as a coaching pathway that a lost with it's demise.

Yep. The challenge will be to elevate the respective club competitions in terms of quality and exposure. The national club championship will potentially help with the latter.

On a coaching pathway note it is good to see Darren Coleman (ex-Warringah, current Gordon coach) pick up a US MLR coaching contract. Shows there is some progression opportunity in club land.

 

[dru]

Your late to this party Joe King. Great idea though.

I fixed the names for you

That doesnt work for so many reasons. Start with 5 teams 5 states. And a need for two teams. AND we need the best talent from 5 states in those two teams.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I’d say the Force are pretty close to confirming details with RA and are now using NZ as a bargaining chip to get a few more terms and conditions to suit them.

Yeh saw in same article hodgo quoted as waiting to see what RA come out with. I presumed twiggy more inside the tent with RA but perhaps not as much. But let’s not have any anti RA comments pls as I think based on few months the current mob deserve some credit for what they are trying to do. You are probably right that wa rugby, force and RA will sort it as better together and we all I think with force back in super rugby see this as much happier place to be, including ‘most’ force supporters

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Yep. The challenge will be to elevate the respective club competitions in terms of quality and exposure. The national club championship will potentially help with the latter.

On a coaching pathway note it is good to see Darren Coleman (ex-Warringah, current Gordon coach) pick up a US MLR coaching contract. Shows there is some progression opportunity in club land.

Yep Coleman had western Sydney grr gig rapped up until nswru in their (stupidity) wisdom canned it