Which Wallaby will play for which NRC team? That question has been answered today with an announcement by the ARU (and no, the answer isn’t ‘they won’t because they’ll be at the World Cup).
That said, it is probably worth mentioning that most of these guys won’t be playing much, if any NRC games this year.
Still, it’ll be a very interesting competition to keep an eye on in the lead-up to and during the World Cup.
Not all players in the Wallabies squad have been allocated to teams. We’ve contacted the ARU to clarify the rules around marquee player allocations to NRC clubs.
There have been photos taken with Scott Fardy wearing a North Harbour Rays jersey at an NRC photo shoot on the Sunshine Coast, though he’s not on the list of marquee Wallabies announced today. This could be because he wasn’t a member of the Spring Tour squad. Allocations for the 2015 NRC are those part of the 2014 Spring Tour, plus Tatafu Polota-Nau, David Pocock and Stephen Moore.
Each team is allowed three players who are in the Wallabies squad outside their 33 contracted players. If clubs choose to have four players, they would have to sign one player under their normal 33-man squad.
The ARU’s Rob Clarke rightly points out that many players made comebacks through the NRC. Players like Samu Kerevi and Rory Arnold also impressed in that competition last year, leading to Super Rugby berths and Wallaby squad selection.
“Last year, without the NRC, Quade Cooper may well not have had the game-time to impress the Wallabies’ management ahead of the 2014 Spring Tour had it not been for his starring role playing for Brisbane City in the competition. This gives a little snapshot underlining the importance of the competition in our pathways.
“I know for a fact that each player is looking forward to being a part of their respective NRC club. Coupled with the fact we’ll have hungry club players looking to impress and Super Rugby representatives going up against each other, this season is shaping up to be one to remember.”
The NRC kicks off in just under a month, on the 20th August.
Brisbane City
James Horwill
Quade Cooper
Will Genia
Greater Sydney Rams
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Rob Horne
Kurtley Beale
Benn Robinson
Melbourne Rising
Sean McMahon
Luke Jones
Tom English
North Harbour Rays
Michael Hooper
Scott Sio
NSW Country Eagles
Sam Carter
Matt Toomua
Queensland Country
James Slipper
Rob Simmons
Saia Fainga’a
Perth Spirit
Tetera Faulkner
Kyle Godwin
Sydney Stars
Nick Phipps
Bernard Foley
Israel Folau
Will Skelton
UC Vikings
Henry Speight
Christian Lealiifano
Joe Tomane
Brisbane boys
Guest
Vary funny We all know he cannot use a keyboard. not as good as 92 three grades in the GF this week it is a long way from where we were a couple of years ago. Should be a big day at Ballymore
Spraggsy
Guest
Brisbane boys ? Are you really DOUBLES DALEY in disguise.?? hehe... 1992 was a great day for souths , we won 5 grades that day...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He only played a sole game off the bench. It was the game the Reds belted the Rebels at Suncorp.
Brisbane boys
Guest
I cannot remember much of this season or last TWAS I have probably blanked it out given how rubbish the Reds were both this and last year, However in a beaten team against Souths I would have said if not for him the margin would have been thirty.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I thought he looked overwhelmed in his brief Super Rugby appearance personally.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They are contracted through the NRC. Kane Douglas for example played last year.
Brisbane boys
Guest
After watching Sam Greene I hope he gets some meaningful game time. He looked a classy player at Premier level
Brisbane boys
Guest
Agreed Harry although I am obviously biased
bazza
Guest
I think scott gale played one game off the bench this year for REDS..Correct me if im wrong TWAS
Oldmate
Guest
This is the same list as last year isn't it? Godwin, Fainga'a, Jones and Robinson were in the initial squad/injury cover last year and weren't included this year so far and surely Horwill and Genia wouldn't (hypothetically) be sticking around for the NRC with their European contracts.
pjm
Roar Rookie
"There have been photos taken with Scott Fardy wearing a North Harbour Rays jersey at an NRC photo shoot on the Sunshine Coast, though he’s not on the list of marquee Wallabies announced today. This could be because he wasn’t a member of the Spring Tour squad. Allocations for the 2015 NRC are those part of the 2014 Spring Tour, plus Tatafu Polota-Nau, David Pocock and Stephen Moore." Your parents paid good money for you education, use it!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah some of those played QLD Country last year and a number who did play last year will this year.
AJ
Guest
There probably needs to be another team in Brisbane based on that. All but one back has played Super rugby. I hope the younger players get to start the games, sitting on the bench while established SR and Wallabies play isn't going to help them much. Good for other teams to come up against Will and Quade etc, though I guess.
Harry
Guest
LOL great stuff and good luck to both teams for Sunday's grand final, should be a cracker of a game.
bazza
Guest
With potentially these dudes playing for brisbane city,it looks like it could be back to back premierships.. JAMES HORWILL LIAM GILL SAM TALAKAI PETTOWA PARAKA JAKE SCHATZ ED QUIRK HENRIK TUI ANREW READY ADAM KORCYK MARCO KOTZE TONGAN THOR TUPOU CURTIS BROWNING QUADE COOPER WILL GENIA KARMICHAEL HUNT JAMES O`CONNOR JJ TUALAGI SCOTT GALE SAM GREENE SAMU KEREVI CHRIS KURIDRANI CAMBELL MAGNAY CHRIS F SAUTIA NICK FRISBY JAKE MCINTYRE
Brisbane boys
Guest
Hi Spraggsey The word is only three with the Tightwad prop potentially heading down south as he cannot get a run up here. That having been said they have won the past three games by a total of 4 points Brothers buy one point and then by two points and UQ by 1 point and uni was after in the 82nd minute. Go to www.redsrugby.com.au for the match scoring plays. Up the magpie army
gman
Guest
Only 2 in the North Harbour Rays ? Palu is a manly player FARDY IS A RAT Pek Cowan is a rat Why can't JORDY Reid play for North Harbour Rays
TahDan
Roar Guru
Still hoping to see Easts and Randwick form a venture that actually represents the East. Don't get them just contributing to a country side... I just can't get enthusiastic about that team. Come on boys - just call yourselves the Eastern Stallions and wear Blue and Green.
RT
Guest
NRC will be interesting. Might be a chance for one or two fringe wallabies to press for selection or at least stay fit in case there is an injury to a front liner. One thing I noticed when I was looking at a few profiles on club rugby sites (bit sad I know!) was that a lot of the first graders list as their ambition "to play in the NRC this year". I think that augurs well for the competition.
Spraggsy
Guest
Up the SOUTHS MAGPIES !! Knocked over Scott Allens QLD/REDS/UNI team to play against Easts Tigers in the GF YEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! ..I expect we shall see more than two MAGPIES in the NRC teams this year ....