The Sydney Stars and Brisbane City played out a fantastic opening match in the first round of the National Rugby Championship for 2014 that left us rugby fans screaming for more.
Ten tries were scored despite terrible conditions at Ballymore Stadium, with Brisbane taking out the clash 45-20 against the Stars. From the very first game we have learnt a few things about the new third tier competition.
1. The NRC needs to stay
I would happily say that the game I just witnessed was one of the best examples of running rugby I have ever seen. Both sides threw the ball around with reckless abandon and despite the overwhelming amount of errors made, which could be blamed on the weather, anybody who watched that match would surely be left well and truly entertained.
2. There is depth in Australian rugby
It is an outstanding chance for some players to get some exposure and show what they are capable of. Two examples of this were Brisbane City players Nick Frisby and Samu Kerevi.
Both of these men played absolutely outstanding games. Halfback Frisby showed his experience and vision with a dominating kicking game that had the Stars on the backfoot for the entire match. He also set up one of the best tries of the game after sneaking through a gap next to the ruck and putting a supporting teammate past the fullback with a brilliant flick pass that Queensland Reds’ teammate Quade Cooper would be proud of.
And for those that missed watching this game live, they missed a dominant performance by 20-year-old centre Kerevi. The Queensland Reds player impressed at the end of the Super Rugby season with a strong running game and tackle breaking ability and those qualities were showing in his debut game for Brisbane.
Everytime he ran the ball he broke two or three tackles and broke the line on more than a few occasions. The Fox Sports commentators were left raving at his performance and one called him a Wallaby in waiting.
For the Stars, Jim Stewart and Peter Betham had great games as well. Stewart was similar to Kerevi in his rampaging running and tackle breaks while Betham showed his class with a great hit-out that did nothing to harm his chances of a Wallabies recall, especially as he is on the brink of selection should anything happen to the current Wallaby backs.
3. The rule changes work
IRB and SANZAR take note. It was no coincidence that the running rugby style was encouraged by the many experimental law changes made for the NRC, with penalty and drop goals downgraded to two points, and conversions for tries going up to three.
There was not a single penalty goal attempted in the game and we were treated to an entertaining spectacle that showed the way for the sport to continue in the future. This game was an example of how rugby should be played, minus the errors and defensive lapses, and if Super Rugby was played like this the game wouldn’t be in such a poor financial state.
I for one have been screaming for changes to the point scoring in rugby union and this instant result shows how well it works. However in saying that, I believe too much emphasis is now on conversions. A great example of this is after the Stars had scored four tries, to Brisbane’s two. However two conversions for Brisbane and none for Sydney left the scoreline at 20-16, something that could have had a big impact on the outcome of the game.
29 unanswered points to Brisbane may have put those worries to bed, but nonetheless I think it should be six points for a try and two for a conversion, but it is still going the right way.
Also the changes to the scrum laws are excellent, there was no reset after reset like we have come to get used to, and this is definitely a positive.
4. Better TV coverage
How good was that game! Are you excited for the rest of Round 1’s matches?
Well unless you plan on racking up some Frequent Flyer points or heading to Coogee Oval on Saturday afternoon, then that’s it until next week. You can understand why Fox Sports is only airing a game a week on their channels, due to the flop of the ARC in 2007, but the competition must be aired more, especially on free-to-air channels.
Ideally more games will be brought on during the season because of good ratings but realistically, it won’t be until next season where we see more than one game on our TVs.
Sydneysiders, head out to Coogee Oval on Saturday afternoon to watch the NSW Country Eagles clash with the Greater Sydney Rams in what will hopefully be another attacking rugby showpiece. Kick-off is 3pm. And go the Rams!
Reality
Guest
"How do you know that the 130 odd countries will agree with how you want the game to be played? " You'll never know if you don't try it out and then ask them!
Reality
Guest
I like him, because he is fallible and he doesn't take himself too seriously, the kind of guy who ends up with a cult following.
Bakkies
Guest
That result this reiterated the fact forward development is paramount.
Bakkies
Guest
The key thing was that the NZ players aren't exposed to that level of physicality back home and the players that might handle it aren't picked. NZ were very lucky to have scraped in to the semis. You mustn't forget that England and SA have more than useful backs to unleash from that platform. This has brought Australia back in to the pack as the forward platform ain't there.
Bakkies
Guest
Andy there were ELVs that were trialled that didn't make Super Rugby (hands in the ruck and collapsing mauls to name two) and the north wouldn't have a bar of the free kick ones which were knocked back for similar reasons to the current ones being tested. What we got was three sets being used which was a total mess. South had free kicks, North didn't so test Rugby was a compromise. It's a waste of time as there will be no universal agreement. Sanzar took a long while to implement the full front row on the bench which was a basic one to further reduce uncontested scrums. The French test ELVs that might get approval in other European comps which mean the key parties in the north are on board while the Saffers and Aus waste time on ones that will get laughed at. That's the key difference. At the moment they have reduced losing bps to 5 points and a 1 minute time limit on penalties.
paul craggie
Guest
Oh please, I suppose you think ever game in the Vodacom cup is fixed or that every game of Rugby since they had 20 player teams is staged. If you're argument is that black is white and white black then your argument against these changes, in particular the 2 point penalty is already lost.
Eddard
Roar Guru
You are just guessing. The reality is no one will know until it's tried. My view is that teams are always going to give away some cynical penalties to avoid tries being scored. 2 vs 8 or 3 vs 7 doesn't make a big difference in the defensive mindset. Either way the try is worth a lot more. However, when it's 8 vs 2 the attacking team will more often take a tap or kick for touch. And if the defence continues to infringe or starts to infringe a lot more cynically they will get a yellow card. Refs will simply need to be willing to use it - sometimes without warning if the infringement is obviously cynical. At the moment you know if you give away a penalty they'll kick for goal - it's an immediate release of pressure. And it's easy to get away with a few because immediately after the penalty attempt the game goes back to being neutral again. With the point system being trialled you are unlikely to relieve any pressure by conceding the penalty. In fact you put yourself under a lot more pressure of conceding a try or losing a man for 10 minutes.
Eddard
Roar Guru
Yeah the rule changes having an impact are far less likely than an ARU led conspiracy to 'fix' the style of the matches. They're probably all loosely scripted like a WWE wrestling 'match' as well.
AndyS
Guest
I'm also sceptical, but it is all hypothetical until it is tried. If it becomes unremittingly negative, at least there will be something that can be pointed at in future when it comes up again. But it may turn out that teams get negative but the opposition takes the line or the tap until the try or card comes. That would be a win for mine, and would then merit trying another level up. There is only one way to find out, but it is worth remembering that a number of the ELVs trialled in the ARC and elsewhere are now law at all levels.
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
It means it doesn't matter about the specific ELVs used but their effect on the players. If the competition survives into a second year, then with or without the ELVs the trial nature of the competition will be gone so the play will tighten up regardless of the ELVs.
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
Rugby trial matches are also ususlly try fests because the goal is showing your talent and a good game rather than which team wins. Negative tactics are not common because those players don't get picked. This comp seems like a big trial game where results matter less than the style. That's actually a dangerous road to go down...
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
How do we know the players are not jus t undet orders to not take penalty goals? The first few rounds, and indeed the first season of this competition is avout the style and flavor of the the rugby so they will be heavily discouraged from slotting goals explicitly or implicitly. So claims that it was free flowing because of the rules alone habe to be weighed against what the players know about the style of game they are 'supposed' to play. It's almost as if it's ok to lose if the game is a free flowing thriller that proves the ELV's work. If the fans don't come this competition goes under. Fans want tries not 1-point penalty wins from a middle of the road team. If their team eventually goes down they wanna see tries!!! Or else why make the ELV's?? Skeptic much?
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
The immensely disappointing thing for me with both ITM Cup and the ARC is why we had to wait 8 months of the year to be able to see these players? Were they not good enough to play in April? Were there no stadiums available? Were they busy working 3months ago? These young guys deserve the chance to show their wares for 6-8 months of the year the same as league, AFL and Super Rugby players do. They are good enough. The only thing stopping them is a broadcast contract for super rugby that doesn't want competing content - but there aren't enough matches in Australia anyway! This situation is ludicrous. As soon as is possible this first round match should be played in March or April.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
Size was a 'big' factor in the recent junior world cup. I wouldn't read too much into the junior AB's losing to monster teams from SA and Eng (not to say that Eng and SA weren't the better teams, but men against boys did come to mind). Size based disparities are not as significant or as influential in senior rugby.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Yeah, when I see people complain about drop-kicks I think about how often I actually see them done successfully. This year I think I've seen the Highlanders and Lions do some successfully, and that's about it. Teams like the Reds tried some but missed.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I think fox did end up allowing the teams to stream the non-Thursday games. But because the teams were given late notice, they couldn't get it set up for this weekend. Should be streams by next weekend though.
Bakkies
Guest
You have to be deluded to think that there is no such as cynical Rugby.
Bakkies
Guest
More at stake with teams avoiding conceding 8 points. Apart from the Top 14 refs are reluctant to card infringing players. Also only deluded Australians are calling for two point penalties no one else sees the need from them. That's why so what is the point in attempting it? You can't bring the loss making Vodacom Cup that barely is a blip on the radar and Varsity Cup in to the argument as the ridiculous ELVs tested in those comps won't make it as far as the Currie Cup.
44bottles
Roar Guru
There was actually quite a lot of forward work, noticed the Stars in particular doing quite a bit of pick and drive and short hitups. Obviously that didn't make the highlights though. I think the difference in the way the game was played was more affected by the coaches being told of realising a 'running rugby' sort of game was wanted by the ARU, and thus coached the teams to play more ball in hand. I felt it was just like a normal rugby game, except that all penalties not in your defensive 22 were a quick tap. That was about it. Agree on the colours. Surely a basic away jersey could be designed. Brisbane City vs NSW Country will be particularly bad I think. They're the same king of yellow whereas the Stars were lighter.
Eddard
Roar Guru
How do you know? The NRC involves all but the top 25 or so players in Australia. Most of the guys that start matches will be professional rugby players. It's a reasonably high level. Game 1: 20 penalties (normal), 0 yellow cards (normal), 10 tries and 0 penalty goal attempts (extremely rare under the normal points system). If players become more cynical in future matches they'll be yellow carded. But people probably wont have to sit through half a dozen or more momentum killing, boring penalty goal attempts.