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The history of national rugby union competitions has been disjointed to say the least.
From 1968 to 1977, the Wallaby Trophy was the first attempt with a competition featuring two divisions, the first of which was largely the Eastern tate sides, the second of which featured the rest. Due to financial difficulties, the competition was shelved in 1977.
The Ricoh National Championship ran from 1998 to 2000 although despite the presence of the word “National” in the name, this competition only included NSW, Queensland and the ACT.
The Australian Provincial Championship ran in 2006 and included the four Australian super 14 sides post-the Super Rugby season. Despite big hopes for subsequent expansion in future years, it was scrapped in 2007 for the Australian Rugby Championship.
In 2007, the Australian Rugby Championship was played and included eight teams. Perhaps the first truly national competition, this competition lasted for only one year due to ‘financial difficulties’.
Underneath all of this, from 2000 to 2008 the Australian Rugby Shield was played between eight teams from the traditionally ‘non-core’ areas of Australian rugby although it included NSW country, Queensland country and the Canberra Vikings.
Is your head spinning yet?
Fast forward to 2014, and we have just witnessed the first round of the latest instalment of a national provincial competition, the National Rugby Championship (NRC). Although there is much disagreement about format, teams, rules and playing strips, I’d say that there is an overarching unilateral agreement that, broadly speaking, a national ‘third tier’ competition is important to the future of Australian rugby, for one key reason: player depth.
I believe that we have witnessed an increase in player depth in Australian rugby over the last couple of years, now that we have five Super Rugby sides. Unfortunately I think that we have plateaued somewhat in this area.
Despite the increase in some local players coming through in some non-traditional rugby areas, the Force and Rebels are still struggling, lobbying for additional international player exemptions.
Depth in the forward pack is especially crucial. Australia is starting to field an excellent backline week in, week out but I would suggest that the weekend’s Bledisloe demonstrates how pointless any backline is without the forwards to deliver front-foot ball.
Unfortunately the kind of players we need up front are also highly sought after in Europe. Longbottom (who is now eligible for England!), Mowen, Douglass and Timani are a few very quick examples of players that would put pressure on the pack to perform if they were still in Australian rugby.
There are a number of reasons that the NRC can help to solve this problem:
1. Provide pathways for more players to a Super contract. Even in NSW and Queensland, the heartland of Australian rugby, there are a number of players who are brought up on both codes of rugby lost to league because of better pathways.
Through the Toyota Cup competition and individual clubs development squads, a much better chance is available for young players than an esoteric shot at making a local club first grade side and being scouted for an Eastern-centric academy system. This should help get a broader base of players actually into contention for the top level. The broader the base of the pyramid, the higher the peak.
2. Provide a better level of rugby consistently across the country. At present we may be able to argue about the quality of the Shute Shield or Premier grade in Queensland. Even in these better competitions some games are more competitive and faster than others.
Look at Perth or Melbourne, and the quality is more disparate again. I will leave the law trials alone but the NRC also allows an opportunity for Australia to cement a rugby identity, much as New Zealand does through a consistent approach from ITM through to the All Blacks. We bandy around “Australian running rugby” but what does this actually mean from state to state?
3. Provide match fitness and increase overall rugby skills. Previously after the Super season and club first grade competitions, rugby in Australia enters hibernation (apart from the Wallabies of course).
More than a couple of injuries in the Wallabies squad? Let’s hope that fourth choice isn’t on a fishing trip. We won’t worry about a skin fold… The ability for young players to play with others with Super and International experience can only help their professionalism and approach to the game.
The 2007 ARC showed the ability to provide these opportunities. Beale, Cooper, Genia, Pocock, Burgess and the Fainga’a twins are some very quick examples of some that came through. Fairly impressive, but would they have come through regardless? Maybe, but I do not think that dampens the argument at all. Over time it can only increase, however the key words are ‘over time’.
It is crucial that another competition is not thrown out for ‘financial reasons’ or lack of interest from the Australian public. The competition is in its infancy and it is crucial that we do not throw out the baby with the bathwater over the coming years. Rules will change, teams will develop, and hopefully more shades of yellow and gold will be discovered.
The beauty of media in this day in age is that we can make a difference, and what better place to do it than on The Roar, a shining beacon for the NRC through the likes of Brett McKay and all those driving the live blogging in the absence of viable watching opportunities (check out the game videos which have now been uploaded, absolutely brilliant stuff).
Andrew Fagan even chose The Roar to first speak and confirm the new competition! What the NRC needs is support from us, the rugby public. We need to demonstrate demand and show the broadcasters and sponsors that there is support in this competition.
How?
Pretty easy in this day in age. Share this article on Facebook, Twitter, good old fashioned email (or whatever social media you feel prefer), add a comment to the article, maybe with your location (e.g. “Brisbane, Queensland”) outlining any thoughts you may have.
Let’s, as the Australian (and international) rugby community band together and show that there is support for the NRC and hopefully this will start a snowball effect to promote more coverage.
Yours in rugby.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.