The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Australian rugby needs its version of college football

ruggerman new author
Roar Rookie
15th February, 2012
Advertisement
ruggerman new author
Roar Rookie
15th February, 2012
75
2643 Reads

Two articles this week struck me as particularly interesting. First, Jake White’s outspoken statement regarding the lack of feeder systems in Australian rugby. Second, the announcement of the Cheetahs’ squad.

Despite being ousted from the most recent major tournament by the Wallabies, few could argue that Springbok depth at the World Cup wasn’t superior to almost any other side in world rugby.

The All Blacks’ renowned depth went a long way to securing their World Cup triumph. However, the Boks had back ups in several positions that were more dangerous than the All Blacks equivalents. And perhaps with better coaching in the years leading up, those players would have had a more significant role to play. But that’s another story.

Regardless of results, New Zealand and South African rugby have shown greater depth of talent in the last 10 years or so. Australian rugby enjoyed a bumper year in 2011, with the Reds taking out the Super Rugby tournament and the Wallabies finally lifting the Tri Nations trophy.

But despite the Reds’ success, the other Australian Super Rugby teams languished well behind their South African and New Zealand rivals, much as they have done in the past 10 years. Much of the Reds’ success can be put down to the skill of coach Ewen McKenzie in developing promising players, rather than superior depth.

The 2012 Cheetahs team contains a large chunk of players who have come up through the Currie Cup (the SA National Provincial Competition), the Varsity Cup (a televised national university competition), and the Vodacom Cup (the feeder division for the Currie Cup).

All of these sides are made up of guys who have come up through a nationally competitive school rugby system, which feeds into junior versions of the provinces that make up the Currie and Vodacom Cups and therefore, the Super Rugby teams.

My knowledge of the New Zealand system is limited, but from what I can gather, the set up is similar. The aim is to create a large network of talented players that feeds into an ever-growing player development system.

Advertisement

While South Africa’s superior rugby systems may have not been brought international success outside 2007-2009, this is more down to operations at a first XV level than any issue with player development. With the right coaching staff, South Africa can become a permanent powerhouse of franchise and international rugby.

South Africa’s superior junior systems make the All Blacks’ continued dominance all the more admirable. South Africa, with a stronger set up and close to three-fold the number of registered players, has failed to dominate Super and international rugby to the extent New Zealand has in the professional era.

Just think, when was the last time a New Zealand Super Rugby team received the wooden spoon? Even more importantly, what’s the longest time the All Blacks have not been ranked number one in world rugby?

All international rugby unions have a lot to learn from the strength and depth of New Zealand and South African rugby. With respect to Australia, my focus is the South African Varsity Cup, which has enjoyed phenomenal success despite being relatively new. It is starting to grow into an equivalent of the American college football scene, on a less sensationalised scale.

Considering the strength and wealth of the major universities in Australia across the major states, and the added bonus of players receiving an education, the Australian Rugby Union must invest in a system like the Varsity Cup.

A university-based system may be the key to developing young players and creating an adequate feeder system in Australia, picking up the slack from the failed Australian Rugby Championship.

Universities in the major rugby states of NSW, WA, Victoria and Queensland would take part in a national multi-team comp that would be played in the background of Super Rugby during the academic year. This could be helped by a high school level varsity rep system, whereby local students to the teams could be picked in an u19’s team that would help select Australian Schoolboys and give young men the chance to get educated through rugby at top universities around the country.

Advertisement

It’s only an idea, but Australian rugby needs a shake up.

Coming from one of the most experienced coaches in the world, who went from a school first XV coach to a World Cup winning mastermind, the idea has some merit.

We should all take note and try and put some pressure on the ARU to act on what could be the only reason for Australia not lifting as much silverware as it could in the next decade of professional rugby.

State club systems, both in major comps and subbies, have hundreds of players who could take the next step given the opportunity that this system would provide. Many would also benefit from the added bonus of offering a quality education to secure their post-rugby lives.

It’s time for Australian rugby to grab the other codes by the preverbial bollocks, show them how its done, and deliver measured success.

close