Andrew Forrest was obviously busy last weekend, knocking up his plans and his administration structure for the proposed Indo-Pacific competition that he hoped he would never have to unveil.
On the other side of the country, a team was making its competition debut under an initiative that the mining magnate should be actively chasing.
The Fijian Drua’s initial foray into the NRC resulted in a 45-36 loss to Brisbane City at Ballymore Oval, but they certainly proved in running in six tries that they’re more than capable of competing at this level.
But behind the scenes, the Drua’s presence in the NRC has come about because of a funding package put forward by World Rugby, primarily, and the Fijian Rugby Union to a lesser extent.
World Rugby effectively covering all transport and accommodation costs makes this move possible, and those two elements will be the biggest costs involved. Though the Drua have been based in Brisbane and Melbourne for the first two rounds, NSW Country head to Fiji next weekend and will stay at The Warwick Resort for the length of their stay for the Round 3 clash. A cursory glance of a booking site noted rooms start at around AUD$300 a night!
(And yes, I’m still open to offers to cover that game ‘on the ground’ – have your people contact mine to discuss.)
But this is the same sort of developmental funding Forrest should be pulling out all stops to have in place?
In confirming his plans for a new six Indo-Pacific competition so that the Western Force can remain a competitive rugby entity, Forrest reiterated his desire to grow the game into new areas of Asia, and into the Pacific Islands.
Immediately, the speculation points to Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, and this is somewhat backed by Hong Kong proactively declaring their interest before Forrest’s people have picked up the phone.
As an aside, this kind of geographic spread raises immediate alarm bells for me; the same sort of travel and time differences that plague Super Rugby fairly obviously stand out about this proposal, too.
Regardless, Forrest’s plans would seem to marry up with up World Rugby’s visions for developing the game in the Pacific and the broader Asian region, and the same sort of involvement from the governing body as what they provide the Drua for the NRC could actually kill two birds with one stone.
Obviously, the less Forrest has to pay of what will quite clearly be a substantial travel and accommodation bill in a competition of any length, the better. Sure, sponsorship opportunities will help in this department, too, and I have no doubt Forrest’s IndoPac people will have securing such sponsorship as a very high priority.
(AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
But the other part of this is actually what could make or break Forrest’s plans at the first step.
Having World Rugby involved means that the governing body’s approval for this competition is virtually guaranteed. World Rugby sanctioning would see the words ‘rebel competition’ disappear completely, and will allow players to sign for the new competition knowing that they national eligibility will be unaffected.
This is of huge importance. Forrest has said that wants to ensure the pathways continue for young Western Australian players, to ensure their dreams of playing for the Wallabies remain in place. But that won’t happen if his competition doesn’t get World Rugby tick. Even if the ARU do follow through with their stated support, they wouldn’t have any obligation to pick Australian-based players from an unsanctioned competition.
Beyond that, and assuming his competition includes the national unions being guessed at and suggested, Forrest should also seek discussions with SANZAAR. Knowing what we now know about South Africa’s plans, this new IndoPac proposal could, in fact, create the initial framework for a refocussed Asia/Oceanic-based Super Rugby competition from 2021 onwards.
Drua debut had it all; now the hard work begins
In running in the six tries they did against a Brisbane City side that already looks much improved on last season’s NRC disappointments, Fiji’s debut in the national competition had just about everything we’ve come to expect from them.
Open rugby. Silky skills. Willingness to attack, with almost enough ability to match. Hard hitting defence. Horrendous discipline. And now, the longest suspension in NRC history, and the longest suspension I can recall ever handed down at this level or above in this part of the world.
Drua hooker Samu Suguturaga pleaded guilty to a biting charge, after City hooker Andrew Ready’s ear required a couple of stitches and was left with a pretty gnarly set of teeth marks after a first half scrum on Saturday.
NRC Judiciary head Paul Tully concluded the severity was on the high end of the scale, allowing for an entry point of 24 weeks, which was reduced to 20 weeks with “mitigating circumstances” and what you suspect would have been a healthy and humble amount of remorse.
It’s not the sort of thing we need in the game, and it’s not the sort of thing the Fijian Drua should be known for in the NRC, because on one week’s showing we already know they’re capable of so much more.
It resumes for them on Saturday down in Melbourne against the Rising, and the huge Polynesian and specifically Fijian rugby community in Melbourne means this will be another wonderful occasion. If you’re down that way, honestly, do yourself a massive favour.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Brisbane City will have their hands full dealing with a Queensland Country side who will be disappointed with their second half fade-out in Canberra last weekend.
And we’ll find out if my suspicions about Perth Spirit using ‘home’ and ‘away’ squads for the NRC again are true, when they head to Canberra to face the Vikings without their Kookaburras colours. Last year’s semi-finalists, the Sydney Rays will make their first outing of 2017, when they host what already to looks to be a very handy Eastwood no, *Greater Sydney* Rams side.
Enjoy your NRC rugby this weekend.
NRC ladder
Greater Sydney 5, Perth 4, Brisbane City 4, Canberra 4; Sydney 0, Queensland Country 0, Fiji 0, Melbourne 0, NSW Country 0.
Round 2
Saturday
1pm: Queensland Country v Brisbane City; Dolphins Rugby, Noosa – Live streamed
3pm: Melbourne Rising v Fijian Drua; Harlequin Oval, Melbourne – LIVE on Fox Sports 501
Sunday
1pm: Canberra Vikings v Perth Spirit; Viking Park, Canberra – Live streamed
3pm: Sydney Rays v Greater Sydney Rams; Macquarie University, Sydney – LIVE on Fox Sports 501
NSW Country Eagles have the bye.
Tips
Happy with three from four last week, but a week’s worth of knowledge could be dangerous: Brisbane City and Melbourne on Saturday, Canberra and Greater Sydney on Sunday.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
They did, it was called celebration day, With Jason Bonham in the engine room and it was awesome.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD-MdiUm1_Y So you are saying it is going to be a roaring success.
ForceFan
Guest
Don't waste your time ethan TWAS has totally lost the plot. It seems that if something isn't his idea or flies in the face of the EARU's mantra it has to be crap. Super Rugby will continue to go the way it's going until 2020. Of course it's not going to be easy for Twiggy to get the Indo-Pacific competition up and going. Noone has said that it would be! However, the East Coast will be very surprised at the level of support and interest coming out of the region and particularly Asia. The Pacific region will be very needy and difficult but don't rule out the IRB stepping up to provide assistance. I like you don't want to have rugby in WA without a professional team. Without that there is no pathway other than players being developed only for East Coast teams. The NRC competition is a short term focus. Playing in Alan Jones' Barbarians team and the Brisbane 10s early next year is the medium term focus. These are simply extensions of what the WA set-up has been doing. The longer term picture is the Indo-Pacific competition with a WA based team involved. When that actually happens I don't know - but July is probably doable. What I do know is that WA Rugby now has a supporter who has a track record of achievement despite adversity and naysayers. It also appears to have the support of the State Government. Keyboard warriors like us are a dime a dozen...... I'm very proud to be a member of the Sea of Blue. What other group of rugby supporters in Australia have been prepared to provide >$2 Million to help their club move forward - and pledge >$5 Million more if there was a known future? I'm prepared to sit and wait and see what unfolds and support the idea at every step. I do know that if in the end it isn't successful it won't be for the want of trying. The game of rugby will continue to grow in WA throughout this process. Go the distance......Build it and they will come!
ForceFan
Guest
It was the Sunday afternoon game against the Kings which drew a crowd of only 8,500. What a great piece of timetabling that wasn't. Week 8 of the season and the 1st home game for 7 weeks (Played Reds at home is Round 1). Great family opportunity - Sunday afternoon. EXCEPT - it was the 1st weekend of the 1st Term School Holidays and and those who can in Perth head down south before the onset of Winter. It's the same every year. To give an indication of the impact - attendance at my home church was only 25% of normal that same morning.
ForceFan
Guest
Gobsmacked how TWAS presents absolute rubbish as facts. The Western Force average attendance in 2017 was 9,600. This was marginally above the Brumbies 9,500 and Rebels 7,600. The Rugby "heartland" teams: Reds 15,100 and Waratahs 14,500. I don;t think that any of these numbers are anything to be proud of but I can confirm that they are averages from the best information available (all rounded to nearest '00) The Waratahs numbers were difficult to get as the Tahs stopped reporting the low attendances early in the season. I can present the FACT (as I know it's true) is that the WF attempted to gets bums on seats by a number of initiatives during the year but they were vetoed by the ARU as the ARU believed that it would "cheapen the brand". Personally I'd rather see a full stadium. For the last home game against the Waratahs, finally the ARU approved one of the initiatives with $20 family passes (2 Adults/2 kids) but it was already too late as the axing of the Force was already gaining momentum and the forecast was for rain all night. Those who attended certainly enjoyed Matt Hodgson being sent off in style. There was little or no effort in planning appropriate game times for the Force and often home games were up against local AFL games. It didn't help fan support to have only the single home game in the 1st 7 rounds.
ForceFan
Guest
Totally agree Brett and it's what many are missing. There appears to be no desire to replace SR or compete with it. Twiggy and others in WA are driven by the desire to maintain a professional team in WA to ensure a pathway to the Wallabies. Without a Perth-based professional team there is no pathway. NRC just doesn't provide one. WA would just provide players for the East Coast. Despite the current anger and angst that's been created by the axing of the Force I reckon the development of the Indo-Pacific comp will be something like: + Eventually it will be developed in close collaboration/sanction with the IRB and EARU. To that end "Rebel" has no place in describing the initiative. This ensures that players are available for Wallabies selection and that quality Refs are available + 6 teams initially in order to follow KISS principles to make it work. + 7s, Women's XV and Men's XV should ensure a great match day experience. + FTA TV coverage will give Rugby the lift that it needs. + Fill the window between the end of SR and Wallabies Spring Tour. That means a July start and avoids the heat in some locations. Puts International Rugby up against Mitre 10 & Curry Cup local comps. + This could easily become the 2nd division set-up once SR falls over after 2020 (or before) when SR teams can join in. Big supporter of the Alan Jones initiative of Western Force players making up the bulk of the Barbarians team in Sydney against the Wallabies at the end of October. It will be interesting to see the players that Jones adds to the squad. We've already seen what a motivated WF team could do against a team with 11/23 Wallabies.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not purchasing a ticket doesn't necessarily mean people weren't counted. It's in the venue's best interest to publish every single fan for advertising reasons.
lobby
Roar Rookie
At least 8402, my 2 daughters came free on family day without tickets
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Well, They are either paying the Wrong Players or people are stupid or have been brainwashed by the Fox Fake Commentary. Many of us purists understand that there is a lot more to Rugby than the try score. Lead up to, and prevention of is where the game is played. The highly paid "Finishers" are a waste of money. "There is a lot more to rugby than is on the 4 Minute Highlights Package"
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
add 2,500 kids to your stats and they don't look so bad!
mtiger
Guest
Malaysia is currently 4th in Asia, hardly biting at South Korea. Singapore is probably 3 teams below. Malaysia is thinking of RWC 2019 (real long long shot, but who knows in 2027). In this decade, Tana Umaga had been planting rugby seeds in Sabah, so within Malaysia, that became a very decent team in South East Asia. By themselves, it would be pouring money into the desert, it will still be dry. But a South East Asian team, where both owners stump up 50% players, a few retiring Allblacks, regional MNCs pitching in, it would be good profile for rugby, competitive team, and helpful for both in pursuit of higher quality games and catching up with Hong Kong and South Korea.
Bakkies
Guest
No they submitted a poor bid with no real infrastructure ready to support the team. The VRU rested their laurels and thought they would get the team based upon the size of the Melbourne market. Not much has changed since then.
Bakkies
Guest
Read the South African fans viewpoint on their websites they also are stating that the end is nigh for Super Rugby.
Bakkies
Guest
Bali Corbys
Bakkies
Guest
'No disrespect, but I think it is you who have the head in the sand here Bakkies. NZR and ARU are very dependent on each other' Nonsense you are TWAS are deluded. The NZRU have stated that they aren't interested in a Trans Tasman competition so why would run to an organisation that is not professional, can't look after its own and historically they have trust issues with. They aren't dependent on the ARU. It's the other way around. The NZRU is far better run, has better financials and commercial clout as they can attract bigger sponsorship deals than the ARU (who are losing sponsors). Go on neutral if the ARU are so trustworthy why are they losing players, fans and sponsors... Their so called partners are looking for alternatives.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Fair of weather but clearly not fair of mind. Just to bring you up to speed as you are quite clearly lagging, it is Forrest's personal fortune from which the money is drawn. He is a shareholder, he receives a dividend (just like every other shareholder) he is then able to spend it as he wishes (just like every other shareholder). Understand now or is the concept still to difficult to grasp? What is it with you lot that have nothing better to do than to try and heap scorn on someone who is clearly prepared to put money into the game that we supposedly all love? You know it won't compensate for your own mediocrities dint you?
Fair Weather
Guest
The Rebels would have gotten into Super rugby way back if it was not for the lie of Firepowers support. Melbourne were duped. So we are getting some long overdue justice now.
Fair Weather
Guest
Might be the right time to dump your Fortescue Metals stocks if Twiggers is going to be pissing the companies coin up against the wall. Where was he 2, 3 or 4 years ago? About as much chance of happening as Led Zeppelin have of reforming.
Fair Weather
Guest
You forgot the Pyongyang Prick.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
You think that offer will come back post 2020 when the broadcast deal ends? If they decide to keep the Sunwolves, why not Hong Kong and Singapore also? Right now anything is feels possible almost.
ols
Roar Pro
Nobodies talking about the Asia Pacific Dragons. Based out of Singapore. Owned by Frenchie Eric Series. He wanted stakes in the Highlanders. They lost out to the Sunwolves (not keen on private ownership perhaps-some irony there with the Rebels) Select players from Asia and the Pacific Islands. Have played the Force and Brumbies in pre season games. Ready and waiting.