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Last week, a major story broke. Unfortunately, it received almost zero coverage. So RobC and El Gamba have decided to start the conversation.
RobC says
While we are all busy discussing the future of stars like Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau, there is something far more important going on.
The ARU, along with its broadcasting partner Fox Sports, has arranged for the National Rugby Championship to continue until at least 2020. That’s six more years!
The Karmichael Hunt saga has generated a significant amount of press, consternation, argument and speculation. What I hope to see instead is to watch him in the NRC.
We have seen players and teams improve their form during the NRC and I suspect a player like Hunt will benefit from it. There are few things to clarify, including areas such as team composition, marketing, broadcast and rule changes.
El Gamba says
For those that have read my (sporadic) recent posts, they may have noticed a certain kind of melancholy associated with many things ‘rugby’. As a Force supporter I should be used to the lows of the game but generally I can still find delight in watching a well worked team move or an application of overall strategy.
This helps you remember what we loved most about playing the game and after Round 4 of the ‘best provincial competition in the world’ I find it lacking across the board (forgive me South Africa if I am missing something by not staying up thus far, and DiggerCane the Hurricanes seem to be a lone beacon, was trying for a Julian Savea pun there but nothing worked).
It is evident that rugby will rot away in Australia if nothing is done, the NRC may be the last hope. Continuation is crucial unless we want the game to end with the relevance of a mobile phone without a camera.
Tournament composition
RobC says
There is some talk about reducing the number of teams. This most probably means that NSW must cull the number of teams – and players. Last year the NSW Country Eagles delivered a consistently good performance. The Rams, too, played well with improved results as they progressed through the season. The Sydney University, ahem, Sydney Stars and Harlequined North Harbour Rays did not fare as well. I hope we see Adelaide join the foray at some point.
El Gamba says
It was clear last year that the teams that did well were those that were a continuation of the Super squads. The Rising, Spirit, Vikings and Bundy Bears (as the QRU seemed to stack Brisbane City at the expense of Queensland Country) were, apart from a few upsets, the dominant sides. I think that this will become less of an issue if the Sydney sides can get some consistency around squads. Politics aside though, this is probably where a side may be dropped off in the short term.
Marketing and broadcast
RobC says
Last year’s viewership numbers, like the match day attendance, were not good. It does not help that the person in charge of the programme left. Not just to another state, but to another code altogether.
In any case, the whole competition was rushed last year and promotion was a major victim. I hope they sort out all the details much earlier, so they can plan the promotion and get more partners to raise awareness nice and early.
I hope the NRC improves its coverage through FTA or streaming. Last year, every man and his dog had their own stream. This should be organised centrally. They should also syndicate their content to other channels such as ESPN and Setanta.
El Gamba says
This is the key to the competition. The new broadcast deal is sketchy on financial support and broadcast guarantees. The ARU need to forget about pie in the sky Greg Inglis bids (for example) and get real about committing to the NRC. It must be marketed and telecast.
To do this, a real business plan needs to be developed (yesterday) and the resources committed to deliver. This needs to be done now so that the clubs can start planning how to engage with their potential supporter base.
Rule changes
RobC says
I can’t think of many rules that need to be changed, except maybe to make sure that the TMO wears spectacles.
El Gamba says
I think that as there are so many issues with top tier rugby watchability, the NRC needs to be taken by the ARU as the opportunity to create entertainment that can flow up into the national mind-set.
In the last decade the focus of rugby has been on the ‘jackals’ disrupting the flow of the game. The irony of this is that what we really want to see is flowing rugby. The rules last year worked in my opinion, so maybe keep them with a review of a couple laws based upon player and supporter feedback… and bring back rucking!
Summary
El Gamba says
I don’t think that the NRC is off the hook at this point. Reading between the lines, I think that it has been given an 11th hour reprieve. This means that the work starts now and the ARU needs to take ownership and make some hard and long-term decisions.
As rugby supporters, we need to put aside petty rivalries and differences of opinion to work towards a solution. Those differences will be forgotten in 50 years regardless, let’s hope that rugby union as a game in Australia isn’t forgotten as well.
RobC says
I suspect the 2015 NRC will have a greater influence on Australian rugby coaches, players and administrators. I think we will see fast, mobile rugby. We will discover the next Will Skelton and James O’Connor. You never know, we may still see Will Skelton and James O’Connor there.
I hope Australian rugby will continue to mature and find a way to extend the competition and become the one true trophy, instead of being the leftovers of various state competitions.
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.