Consider the starting Combined NSW/QLD Country XV side that takes on the Lions tonight: just three players are actually from either NSW or Queensland Country clubs – and just 10 in the 23.
The rest have been selected on a ‘Country Origin’ basis – players from Super Rugby franchises or the Brisbane or Sydney Premier rugby competitions.
I’ve wondered if the game has been rigged by the ARU to attempt to reduce any chance of a blowout and attract a bigger crowd. The move to stack the shelves with second-tier Super Rugby players won’t necessarily make any difference to the eventual result. The British and Irish Lions will still comfortably win the game.
But what is being rigged is the opportunity of Country-based players from Country clubs being selected to go up against the Lions.
Perhaps the word is robbed, or maybe it’s dudded, or maybe … you get the point.
So what, you may ask?
This match was always supposed to be about players from the bush getting a go against professionals until it was hijacked by the ARU.
The game is recognition of the amount of effort Country players put in for little reward – maybe a beer and rep jersey – not the obscene cash payments that is sending the ARU broke.
It’s hard being a rugby union supporter away from the city.
The only free-to-air rugby you see on television, apart from the Wallabies, is the excellent ABC coverage of a Saturday afternoon which you normally miss because you are out either playing or watching your own local club rugby team.
It’s also a long way to drive to see a Super Rugby match.
You sometimes see a smattering of contracted Super Rugby players come through your town or regional city, but they pale into comparison from the visits of AFL or rugby league players.
In short, rugby supporters in the bush are disengaged from powerbrokers at the ARU, Super Rugby franchises that talk about community engagement but rarely make it past their city limits and touring international teams.
That is until those touring international teams play a representative side that truly represents their area.
Rugby clubs in the bush contribute so much to the social fabric of their towns, so when one of their own is selected in a NSW or Queensland Country representative side it is an honour not only bestowed on the club but also the town from which they are from.
That is why NSW and Queensland Country representative teams can truly lay claim to being representative.
Furthermore, it’s the highest honour an amateur rugby union player can achieve without moving to the city and into the realms of professional rugby.
Which brings us to the Combined Country match against the Lions.
Initially, the game was supposed to be between Country-based players and the Lions, as it was in 2001 and as it was in 1989, however somewhere in between it was decided by the ARU that ‘Country Origin’ players could be eligible.
These players are from the country but not of the country. Some have lived longer in the city than the bush and they represent city clubs with no relevance outside of the city.
The ARU made the decision probably more concerned about a cricket score and ticket sales – remember the Lions tour is the great hope to get some money.
In one sweep of the pen, the top amateur players of the country were cast aside and then given the insulting message that they can play the curtain-raiser.
Clubs that run on the smell of an oily rag, run by volunteers and producing junior and senior players that progress to elite levels were given the administrative middle-finger.
An initial 43-man squad was whittled down to a 23-man squad in the last week or two by coach Cameron Blades.
In a press release put out beforehand, Blades stated that he wanted all of the Super Rugby contracted players to be available.
“Our goal is to put the strongest 23-man squad together to face the Lions and ultimately we’d like as many of the Super Rugby players named today to be able to be considered for final selection,” said Blades.
“It is an ongoing process and we’ll continue to work closely with the Super Rugby sides.”
Where that leaves the Country-based amateurs that were selected is fairly obvious.
Yes, the Country-based team would be well-beaten by the might of the Lions and may need some strengthening in the tight-five to ensue no injuries but to freeze out bush players is exceptionally disappointing and a real slap in the face to country rugby players, officials and supporters.
By Steve Spinks – Lennox Head Rugby Club supporter and reserve grade bench player
Combined Country XV
1. Haydn Hirsimaki (Prop) QLD Country
2. Josh Mann-Rae (Hooker) Brumbies
3. Tim Metcher (Prop) Southern Districts
4. Phoenix Battye (Lock) Western Force
5. Blake Enever (Lock) Queensland Reds
6. Richard Stanford (Lock) Eastern Suburbs
7. Jarrad Butler (Back row) Queensland Reds
8. Tim Davidson (Back row) Melbourne Rebels
9. Michael Snowden (Half back) Western Force
10. Angus Roberts (Fly half/Full back) Melbourne Rebels
11. Tom Cox (Wing) Brumbies
12. Tereta-Junior Siakisini (Centre) QLD Country
13. Lewie Catt (Centre) NSW Country
14. Alex Gibbon (Centre/Wing) Southern Districts
15. Nathan Trist (Full back/Wing) Sydney UniversityReplacements
16. Tom Kearney (Hooker) QLD Country
17. Dylan Evans NSW Country
18. Rikki Abraham (Prop) QLD Country
19. Rory Arnold (Lock) QLD Country
20. Trent Dyer (Back row) Melbourne Rebels
21. Adam McCormack (Half back) NSW Country
22. Shaun McCarthy (Fly half) QLD Country
23. Dale Ah-Wong (Wing) QLD Country
x_man
Roar Rookie
I understand what you are getting at but what would be the point in letting 22 amateur rugby players get beaten 150-nil by the best players in the UK and Ireland? Neither the players or the rugby viewing public would enjoy it. At least with the semi pros drafted in it was competitive at times and it allows the concept to endure.
Jo
Guest
The wholly amateur NSW country team in 2001 that had no contracted players lost 46-3. If I remember correctly, they held them tryless for the first 20 minutes. I thought the CC team played well on Tues but they did no better than the true country team in 2001.
SkinnyKid
Roar Rookie
Classic contradiction there....
Wheatman
Guest
Very good post. I have been calling this team the Cam Blades Invitational XV for the reasons you have given. The true Qld v NSW Country match happened earlier in the day, which I have been told was done as an olive branch to the respective organisations. Nice thinking when that game is played at 4:30 in the afternoon - congrats Heelers on the win anyway! Unfortunately (and sadly in my opinion) the selection of Qld Country teams with players from Sunshine Coast Stingrays and Gold Coast Breakers Premier Grade clubs has been happening for a while now. Heelers should be picked from players in teams not playing in Premier Grade and outside of Brisbane. I have heard similar rumblings in NSW. Lastly, I agree with Cam Treloar regarding the country boys not losing their country heritage when they move to the city though. They are very proud of where they grew up, and would happily represent the area in nearly all cases.
SkinnyKid
Roar Rookie
Well said, I also find it funny that people are getting their back up about country lads playing in the city being selected.
SkinnyKid
Roar Rookie
no sure of the point you are making soap it.
liam
Guest
I find it interesting players with origins from Coma and Young were included when both these areas are not affliated with nsw country rugby union.
Cameron Treloar
Roar Guru
I agree 95%!! Everything except the mystical level of countryness people lose when they move to the city to play rugby. I didn't see the game so I am not sure how the scrums went but I'd say for safety's sake alone the tight 5 should be made up of professional players or as close to professional. It wouldn't have to be all pro's. For example if you had a country prop he is with a pro hooker and prop. A country second row packs down with a pro second row. The rest- give the boys a crack. it almost defintely would have been a higher score, but so what.(although the points for the Lions dried up a little in the second half as more of the country based players got on the field) Part of the romanticism of this tour, for me, is this game. I actually threw my hat in the ring for this game. I was told I couldn't be selected as it was only open to Australian based players- fair enough. I offered... 1- cause it would be a once in a life time opportunity. 2- I'm very proud of my country ubringing 3- I play against some of those guys week in, week out so I thought I could be of some benefit. Admitedly I didn't feel great about the notion of displacing a "proper" country representitive. However... the one part of the article I didn't agree with was the fact that because players such as myself no longer live in the country means we are not country enough to play in a team like this. Rubbish. Once a country boy always a country boy. (or girl) In saying that, apart from the majority tight five playing at any one time, this team should have been made of players who are picked from the country representitive sides. I'd rather the ratio have been 6 pro players and the rest picked from the NSW and QLD country rep team. If the ARU really want to develop country rugby, and make up for the slap in the face, they should send a proper combined country team on a European tour to play against English championship (div 2) and French pro d2 teams to give them games against pro players and full time coaching for a few weeks whilst on the tour. (develop country coaches as well). They could run the tour every 2 years or so. Would be a great carrot for further selection and a great way to test themselves against Professional players more than once every 12 years. That my 2 cents...
soapit
Guest
wnm, no more harsh than a super rugby player leaving aus last year and not being able to play for the wallabies against the lions this year. rep teams have eligibility rules and its the only higher honour pathway for all the guys who are unwilling or unable to move to sydney just for their rugby
soapit
Guest
as opposed to the respectable 64-0
soapit
Guest
this is what happens when you cram the season full with super rugby and tests. this extra round of derbies means that we have a ridiculous situation of a split super season and gives you minimum flexibility with the touring parties. i know they're short of cash but theres a lot to be said for giving a bit less but a better product.
peeeko
Roar Guru
i agree sheek, it would be great if they could compete. but it is 2013 and it would have been ugly if it was a proper country team and it probably was not the ARU that demended it , it was probably the lions wanting a better quality match
sheek
Roar Guru
I'm glad I didn't respond to this article BEFORE the game. Otherwise I would have been severely embarrassed. As much as I would still wish NSW Country & Qld Country each play the Lions separately, this game showed why it shouldn't, & didn't , happen. Such is life..........
SkinnyKid
Roar Rookie
Exactly what I was talking about above. Couldn't agree more. People here fly into outrage before even scoping the facts....in this case even in 2001 a chunk of the players were city based... Look I appreciate everyone love for country rugby but people need to forget about to romantic notions of sitting on the hill with their family watching to local town fullback weaving through the Lions to score...it just wouldnt happen now. The Lions would get nothing out of the game...nothing other than maybe an injury or two....
2001 Tour Reality
Guest
I think its best to remember that the 2001 team contained a number of "origin" players in order to bolster the quality of the team - i will struggle to remember all the guys sydney based at the time but Dave Lubans was playing for Norths, Angus Baldwin for Easts, James McCormack for Souths, Keiran Shepard for Uni etc. see the following link: http://www.lionsrugby.com/2013tour/match_centre_2013.php?section=lineups&fixid=58553 Those of us who grew up in the country always strived to wear the Orange and Black country jumper, nothing beat going away for country week. We could be nostalgic and talk of former Wallaby greats such as Jon White who spent their whole career playing from the country (2nd division no less) but with professionalism the gap has just become too big (and playing windows too short) to justify putting fully fledged amateur teams up against full time teams. The reality is that a NSW country side would be unable to compete against shute shield sides these days, let alone the combined might of the 4 home nations. Even the sydney v country clash that has been reinstated in recent years is picked on an origin basis to a degree. It shouldnt be seen as a marginalising or belittling the input of country players. If anything it should be a celebration of all the guys who have gone on to make it professionally.
Roarer
Guest
I'm outraged!
Rough Conduct
Guest
If Newcastle and the Gold Coast are considered country, then the whole concept of Country rep teams is dead, it no longer serves any purpose and should be scrapped.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Newcastle's always been considered Country - for rugby, rugby league and anything else. It's hardly the bush, but Roar HQ is here too.
Gatesy
Guest
Not to mention that the Force had a bye the Saturday before, when the Lions were playing their meaningless game in HK and could have fielded a full strength side.
Big Mike
Guest
Gussy Boi, between your goodself and honest Steve Spinks you have summed up the sad truth of what has happened to this narrative of dinkum Bush Boys having a roll your sleeves up crack at the Lions and telling that tale to their grankids. Sadly, a huge hiatus to that has now robbed a generation of the right to the rites of passage for the true and enduring nursery of Australain Rugby. History will record a shortsighted bundle by the bean counters and misdirected custodians of the game downunder!