Wednesday Rugby News

RA Set To Get Club Rugby Rights

Raelene Castle and Cameron Clyne

Raelene Castles TV Broadcasting package seems to be coming together with Rugby Australia expected to come to an agreement with Shute Shield about the sale of its broadcasting rights.

RA will now be able to shop their premier club rugby competitions to broadcasters in an effort to improve the appeal of showcasing rugby.

Although the competitions themselves have limited monetary value, RA believes it is vital to increase the viewership of the country’s main grassroots competitions.

Moreover, club rugby has been one of the few shining lights in Australian Rugby of late, with large crowds turning out in support of their sides. This support resulted in Fox Sports launching a late bid on the Sydney and Brisbane competitions which was ultimately turned down.

Castle plans to send out non-disclosure agreements to Foxtel, Optus, Amazon, Rugby Pass, and Australia’s three commercial free-to-air networks.

Coaches Break Ranks

New Chiefs Coach Warren Gatland and Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown have criticised New Zealand rugby’s controversial “load management,” policy.

Kiwi Super Rugby sides must give returning All Black players restricted minutes through the first three rounds of Super Rugby, and then rest them from a further two matches throughout the competition.

Brown believes players should be handled on a “case by case,” basis.

“It’s always been the sort of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kieran Read plan, where they need to give those guys all a rest.”

“So as to keep it even they made it mandatory to rest every All Black. I think in the past it’s actually cost a few players their All Black careers,” Brown said.

Former Wales coach Gatland believes it should be left to the clubs to manage.

“Everyone is in a different boat. Some might need more than two games off,” Gatland said.

“The people in charge need to trust us and if we don’t do a good job then don’t let us manage them,” he said.