Last weekend’s Pasifika round was a raging success around the grounds, with everyone getting among the festivities as part of a big day of rugby.
The Greater Sydney Rams enjoyed one of their biggest home crowds in their four seasons of existence, with two quality schoolboy games on the card before the Rams and Fijian Drua ran out onto a great-looking renovated TG Millner playing surface.
It instantly reminded me a similar event in Sydney last season, which similarly produced a huge crowd by NRC standards, becoming one of the surprise hits of 2016. That got me thinking of some simple things that could be implemented for not much money but which will have an immediate impact.
More event days
Simple, logical scheduling. More incentive for people to go to an NRC game. If people are used to going and watching several grades on a day, then play curtain-raisers before the NRC games. Schools games, university games, women’s games, sevens mini-tournaments.
Any of them would make a difference – but like last year’s Pacific Day at Concord Oval, more NRC double-headers. Obviously they’re not going to work in Canberra, Perth or Melbourne, but why not in Sydney and Brisbane?
Ballymore. Concord. North Sydney Oval if not required for domestic cricket. Give people more reason to go to games.
And I haven’t even mentioned NRC games as curtain-raisers for Test Matches. There has only ever been one NRC curtain-raiser, before the Brisbane Bledisloe in 2014 – but this year alone, it could’ve happened in Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, and the Barbarians game in Sydney. Why wouldn’t you?
Consistent entry prices
Whether it’s no cost or very low cost, I don’t really care; just make it consistent. This season we’ve seen free entry in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane; $5 on the Gold Coast and possibly for Queensland Country’s game on the Sunshine Coast too; $10 in Canberra and some NSW Country games; and upwards of $15 and $20 in Sydney. It’s crazy.
Are we really saying a game in Sydney is three times better than one on the Gold Coast? Twice as good one in Canberra? It’s madness if we are, and of course they’re not.
Free entry has definitely helped grow the crowds in Perth and Melbourne this season and should be seriously considered. If costs absolutely must be recouped through the gate, then surely we can cap it at a fiver nationally.
The one exception would be the aforementioned event days or double-headers. Ten dollars for two NRC games is still exceptional value, and that would suitable, but $20 for one game? I don’t think so.
(Image: Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Fox streamed games on Foxtel
Have you ever noticed the Fox Sports More channel on your Foxtel box or on the Foxtel App? It’s their extra channel they use for extra sport that they can’t fit onto any of the other six channels between 501 and 506, particularly on weekends.
This weekend coming my guide tells me it will have surfing, boxing and LPGA golf, and all live. I’ve seen Test and one-day cricket on there in the past, and the Sunday NRC game last weekend between Sydney and Brisbane City was on there too.
For three seasons now I’ve been asking the question of the NRC powers that be if they will lobby Fox Sports to show the live streamed games simultaneously on Fox Sports More (or via the ‘red button’, as it known originally), and I know the question has been asked every time.
I don’t know why it’s never happened.
But it can be done. Fox have even done it in the past, showing early rounds of the FFA Cup that are covered by their lower-cost live stream crews both online and on Fox Sports More. Indeed in some cases where multiple FFA Cup games have been played simultaneously they have often switched to a ‘streamed’ game heading into overtime on the broadcast channel of the ‘main’ game.
So why not for NRC games too? Fox Sports have paid for the broadcast and digital rights, but why not make it as accessible as possible for their customers? Why do we need separate accounts for TV and the Fox Sports website to watch the same competition? Why make it harder for people than it needs to be?
And they use footage from the streamed games on Fox Sports News as it is, so clearly there’s no issue with the quality of the video. Why not get that footage in front of as many people as possible?
It can be done, I know it can. In fact it makes no sense not to.
Like I say, these are all simple, small tweaks, but I bet they’d make a huge difference to the competition as a whole.
(Image: Jason O’Brien/Getty Images)
Round 7
Saturday
1pm AEDT: Greater Sydney vs Queensland Country; TG Milliner Oval, Sydney – Streamed live.
3pm AEDT: v NSW Country Eagles vs Perth Spirit; Scully Park, Tamworth – Live on Fox Sports 501.
Sunday
2.30pm AEDT: Canberra Vikings vs Sydney Rays; Viking Park – Live on Fox Sports 501.
4pm local/5pm AEDT: Brisbane City vs Melbourne Rising; Wests Rugby Club, Toowong, Brisbane – Streamed live.
Bye: Fijian Drua.
NRC ladder
Canberra 20, Fiji 20, Queensland Country 19, Perth 15;
Brisbane City 13, NSW Country 9, Greater Sydney 9, Sydney 5, Melbourne 4.
Tips
Hot damn, four from four last week, finally! Which probably means this week is really going to stink it up.
The real worry this weekend is that the four games look to have obvious favourites, and there’s no evident logic to pick against those four favourites.
So I’m going with Queensland Country, Perth, Canberra, and Brisbane City, but I just want the record to reflect that I am absolutely certain there will be at least one upset somewhere.
Regardless, enjoy your NRC rugby this weekend. I hope you can get to a game near you.
Bakkies
Guest
Sheek what needs to happen with NSW Country and Qld Country is to move forward the youth development programs. Have Country representative teams at the junior Gold Cup levels so the boys that aren't going to boarding school in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney get exposure to selectors and selective development squad specialist coaching. Then possibly have country schools rep teams at the Australian Schoolboys Championships. They then feed in to the likes of the Cockatoos, Eagles and Qld Country. SA do this with their representative tournaments to identify and capture the talent that are still going to school in regional areas. I notice that Elders Real Estate have given 30k to NSW Country Juniors but that's only a drop in the ocean.
Andrew
Guest
Totally agree with the streaming aspect of your article. My nephew plays for the Eagles, therefore I can’t make it to any of his games other than those in Sydney (which this year stands at one). So far two games have been televised and two streamed. And there lies the problem, other people may have figured it out but after several attempts I give up and call my nephews dad, he can’t either and is understandbly angered at not getting to watch his kid take his first steps into professional rugby. It makes no sense. Meanwhile, the more channel you mention lies idle and mitre10 is being played on one of the fox channels. They do replay the games on the website, but that is sporadic too. The first time it was replayed within a day or two, the second was a week. This weeks game is televised but a wallaby has returned to bump the nephew out of the squad. I do think the concept is important and relevant. the died in the wool clubland people don’t like it, but who from a super team who isn’t in the national squad is going to join a Shute shield team that’s not going to make the finals? How could the push for national selection if they’re not playing? How would the weaker teams improve if their players don’t have access to elite training techniques and game plans?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Exactly TWAS, I think Brett hit the nail on the head last week when he said Brisbane City weren't out of the running yet. At that stage (prior to Round 6) there were 4 teams on 15 points, then Rams on 9 and Brisbane City on 8 and I suggested in a blog that the semi finalists were settled. One round later and Brissie are 2 points off 4th spot on 13 points and Rams still on 9 points. Brissie City's roster is humungeous but a win this week is essential. If the Rams can pull off a win this week, then they just could be the surprise packet. After this round a lot of the teams will be losing their gun players to the WB setup for Baa Baa game then the EOYT squad. Of the teams for this week, Rams could lose 1 (N.Phipps), Qld C 2-3 (Tongan Thor, D.Paia’aua and J.Slipper), Eagles 2, Perth 3, Vikings 5-6 (surprise could be T.Cusack), Rays 0, Brisbane 6, Rising 1 (reserve). So for the last two rounds and the NRC finals, you can see Canberra and Brisbane City are severely affected with both losing up to 6 players while Qld Country and Perth Spirit also lose talent. The team to benefit the most from all of this is the Fijian Drua, who will go into the finals against weakened teams.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's probably the strongest Bris City side they've put on the park this year. Rising are going to struggle against them before we even worry about the players they've lost due to injury over the comp. Won't be getting their 2nd win this week!
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Anyone see Alan Jone's Baa Baa teams. Full of WB discards and potentials such as Luke Jones (Bordeaux) and Matt Philip in the locks PLUS The Pot returns J.Potgeiter, Isi Naisarani and Matt Hodgson, and a surprise in Sam Ward (I hope this bloke gets a game against the WB as he has been to hell and back this year). To keep up kiwi interest George Moala from the Auckland Blues is the sole centre named.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
NRC Teams for Round 7. Fijian Drua have the bye. Apologies for any errors as all info from the ARU web site. SATURDAY Oct 14th. Greater Sydney Rams vs Queensland Country, T.G. Millner Field, 1pm AEDT LIVE STREAM via foxsports.com.au/live and the FOX SPORTS app (Easily the match of the round, so what does *%$#@# Foxtel do? They hide it on their rubbish "Live Stream" portal. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!) Greater Sydney Rams: 1. Jed Gillespie. 2. Hugh Roach. 3. Robert Lagudi. 4. Albert Tuisue. 5. Adrian Hall. 6. Kotoni Ale. 7. Kelly Meafua. 8. Jed Holloway. 9. Nick Phipps. 10. Mack Mason. 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro. 12. Kevin Fuavao. 13. Dennis Pili-Gaitau. 14. John Grant. 15. Cameron Bailey Reserves: 16. Ed Craig. 17. Andrew Tuala. 18. Sam Thomson. 19. Fergus Lee-Warner. 20. Matthew Gonzalez. 21. Stuart Dunbar. 22. Benjamin Cotton. 23. TBC Queensland Country: 1. Sef Fa'agase. 2. Alex Casey. 3. Taniela Tupou. 4. Harry Hockings. 5. Angus Blyth. 6. Angus Scott-Young. 7. Liam Wright. 8. Caleb Timu. 9. James Tuttle. 10. Hamish Stewart. 11. Izaia Perese. 12. Duncan Paia'aua. 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia. 14. Filipo Daugunu. 15. Teti Tela. Reserves: 16. Richie Asiata. 17. James Slipper. 18. Fred Burke. 19. Phil Potgieter. 20. Ted Postal. 21. Tate McDermott. 22. Paddy James. 23. Jock Campbell. For the Rams, J.Hollaway returns to the starting piggies as do A.Tuisue and K.Ale. There are also changes in the backs from #9-11, with N.Phipps back from WB duties together with M.Mason and the rugby bulldozer Taqele Naiyaravoro. Five of the Rams starters are regulars for the mighty Waratahs. Qld Country is fairly settled, at least 5 of their starters are regular Reds players. There are 3 changes from last week's starter team, A.Casey replaces Alex Mafi as hooker while T.Tela replaces Patrick James at fullback and C. Feauai-Sautia comes in for Eto Nabuli. The big news of course is the return of James Slipper from a long lay-off with injury. Great news for Qld Country and the WB. A tough one to call, Qld Country have the form but the Rams have strengthened their team from last week. No fence sitting so I call Country by 8. NSW Country vs Perth Spirit, Scully Park, Tamworth, 3pm AEDT LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via the FOX SPORTS app NSW Country Eagles: 1. Paddy Ryan. 2. Brandon P-Amosa. 3. Tom Robertson. 4. Tom Staniforth. 5. Ryan McCauley. 6. Rohan O'Regan. 7. Maclean Jones. 8. Sam Ward. 9. Jake Gordon. 10. Tayler Adams. 11. Alex Gibbon. 12. Kyle Godwin. 13. Alex Newsome. 14. Seb Wileman. 15. Andrew Kellaway Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney. 17. Matt Gibbon. 18. Sam Needs. 19. Tim Buchanan. 20. Pat McCutcheon. 21. Nick Kellaway. 22. Tom Hill. 23. Henry Clunies-Ross Perth Spirit: 1. Pek Cowan. 2. Anaru Rangi (VC). 3. Jermaine Ainsley. 4. Matt Philip. 5. Onehunga Havili. 6. Tevin Ferris. 7. Kane Koteka. 8. Isi Naisrani. 9. Michael Ruru (C). 10. Ian Prior. 11. James Verity-Amm. 12. Bill Meakes. 13. Curtis Rona. 14. Chance Peni. 15. Marcel Brache. Reserves: 16. Sama Malolo. 17. Tetera Faulkner. 18. Shambeckler Vui. 19. Matt O’Brien. 20. Ben McCalman. 21. Nick Jooste . 22. Brendan Owen. 23. Clay Uyen. T.Robertson returns from WB duties to strengthen the Eagles while S.Ward replaces Pat McCutcheon at #8. The backline is pretty unchanged. Seven of the Eagles players are regular SR starters for Tahs or Brumbies, so it's not a bad team. The Spirit starting side is packed with Force regulars, I count 10 of them (but could be wrong). Spirit have two changes in the starting forwards, Force prop J.Ainsley comes in but Force lock Richard Arnold is out so O.Havili moves to the 2nd row and T.Ferris comes in from the reserves. Mass changes in the backs,. I.Prior is back at 5/8, while Billy Meakes and C.Rona return from WB duties. Perth Spirit is also strengthened with T.Faulkner returning to the reserves after playing against Argentina last week. NSW Country, aka Warringah with some ring-ins, are a good team but just missing that class in some positions. The Perth Spirit have class right through the team and as they did in the NRC Final last year, they should belt NSW Country. SUNDAY Oct 15th. Canberra Vikings vs Sydney Rays, Viking Park, Canberra, 2:30pm AEDT LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via the FOX SPORTS app. Canberra Vikings: 1. Faalelei Sione. 2. Folau Faingaa. 3. Les Leuluaialii-Makin. 4. Rory Arnold. 5. Sam Carter. 6. Blake Enever. 7. Tom Cusack (c). 8. Rob Valetini. 9. Joe Powell. 10. Wharenui Hawera. 11. Andrew Muirhead. 12. James Dargaville. 13. Len Ikitau. 14. Henry Speight. 15. Tom Banks Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel. 17. Harry Lloyd. 18. Max Bode. 19. Dean Oakman-Hunt. 20. Angus Allen. 21. Ryan Lonergan. 22. Mack Hansen. 23. Lausii Taliauli Sydney Rays: 1. David Lolohea. 2. Damien Fitzpatrick. 3. Wayne Borsak. 4. Dave McDuling / Connor Vest. 5. Angus Ryan. 6. Connor Vest / Alex Perez. 7. Gary Bautz. 8. James Brown. 9. Harry Nucifora. 10. Rohan Saifoloi. 11. Augustin Slowik. 12. Harry Burey. 13. Irae Simone. 14. Rob Buaserau. 15. Josh Turner Reserves: 16. James Hilterbrand / Sam Kitchen. 17. Tristan Goodbody. 18. Alex Westgarth. 19. Connor Vest. 20. Alex Perez / James Hilterbrand. 21. Jack Grant. 22. Kepu Lokotui. 23. Apo Latunipulu Canberra Vikings are looking really ominous in this NRC, and what was a very good side is strengthened this week with the return of Joe Powell, Henry Speight and Sam Carter from WB duties. Their (almost Brumbies) pack has pretty much monstered every team and they have the speedy backs to take full advantage. Lots of changes to the Rays team, Damien Fitzpatrick returns to hooker while Harry Nucifora comes in at half back. There could be many more changes with #4 and #8 double listed. The Rays just don't have the depth to challenge the Vikings. Looks like another 50+ game. Brisbane City vs Melbourne Rising, Wests Rugby Club, Toowong, Brisbane, 5pm AEDT LIVE STREAM on foxsports.com.au/live and via the FOX SPORTS app. Brisbane City 1. Markus Vanzati. 2. Andrew Ready. 3. Sam Talakai. 4. Lukhan Tui. 5. Kane Douglas. 6. Adam Korczyk . 7. Michael Gunn. 8. Reece Hewat. 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa. 10. Quade Cooper. 11. Ed Fidow. 12. Karmichael Hunt. 13. Samu Kerevi. 14. Chris Kuridrani. 15. Jayden Ngamanu. Reserves: 16. Ryan Freney. 17. Reuben Leilua. 18. Salesi Manu. 19. Jeremiah Lynch. 20. Tuaina Tualima. 21. Nick Frisby. 22. James Dalgleish. 23. Lachlan Maranta. Melbourne Rising: 1. Rory O’Connor. 2. Siliva Siliva. 3. Fereti Sa’aga. 4. Jason Havea. 5. Alex Toolis. 6. Rob Leota. 7. Ikapote Tupai. 8. Lopeti Timani. 9. Nic Stirzaker. 10. Jack McGregor. 11. Henry Hutchison. 12. Lloyd Johansson. 13. Sione Tuipulotu. 14. Kitione Ratu. 15. Jack Maddocks. Reserves: 16. Jordan Uelese. 17. Tom Moloney. 18. Pome Fa’amausili. 19. Sione Taufa. 20. Mahe Vailanu. 21. Harrison Goddard. 22. Hunter Paisami. 23. Angelo Leaupepe For Brissie, 13 of the starters are on the Reds' roster, 10 of them being regulars in SR. A few changes in the starting pack, a new LH in Markus Vanzati plus charges to accommodate returning WB players. As if they are not strong enough already, L.Tui and S.Kerevi return for a run with the "plebs". Nick Frisby acts as per his name and returns to the reserves, replaced by Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, while C.Kuridrani returns on the wing. Melbourne Rising as unchanged from last week except Nick Stirzaker returns at halfback. A fair sprinkling of SR experience (7-8 SR regulars) with big L.Timani in the back row. You can add Jordan Uelese from the reserve bench and that's not a bad pack of piggies. The centres for the Rising are huge boys who take lots of stopping once they wind up. This is one mighty powerful Brisbane City team, packed with WB and squad players. I predict the Rising will be sinking after playing this mob.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Marto, Teletubby Tommy is playing THP for the Country Eagles but I cannot find the Roar fav whipping boy, Ned "Flanders" Hanigan in any team list for this weekend. I suggest for everyone to get down to or switch the tv on as the NRC will be top level this weekend with quite a few teams having WB players returning into the side. For example, Brisbane City have Lurham Tui and Samu Kerevi to add to Kane Douglas, Adam Korczyk, Quade Cooper and Karmichael Hunt in their team. And that's not including regular starters for the Reds such as Andrew Ready et al. The best story of the lot is James Slipper gets a run from the reserves for Qld Country. Good for the Reds, great for the WB if he can get a couple of matches under his belt.
Wandering Aloud
Guest
Brett, The other tweak I would make is to show an awareness of the sporting landscape when scheduling and make use of the dead air. This competition should not be expected to compete against the AFL/NRL finals series. In the early weeks of the NRC it competes against finals football and it makes sense to play afternoon games that finish before the AFL and NRL kick off. On the AFL/NRL grand final weekend I would play Friday night and Sunday Arvo early enough so everyone can get to a TV for the NRL kickoff. After the other codes are done and dusted spread the product around. Friday night, Saturday arvo and night. Sunday arvo should be the time slots!
Marto
Guest
Well you`ll have those NSW Wallabies Hanigan and Robertsons added to the NRC his week,so chin up Charcoal...
Bakkies
Guest
'Exactly what I said…' No it wasn't
soapit
Guest
probably nrl increasing their thurs night games defeated the purpose a fair bit
rebel
Guest
Brett I think most Sydney people should be able to choose a side as the teams are pretty much geographical. The only side that has never really fit in is my Rebels, they have always felt tacked on somewhere. I do go for the Rams but it is getting tougher to maintain a connection with them. TG Milner is not exactly around the corner. I find I am more just following Souths players moreso than a team. I think a North, City and West split would be better with each team taking a match to the country. This would really only require Souths aligning with Country but dropping the false Country moniker. I agree this is not an NRC problem, it is a Sydney one. However getting the SS clubs to buy into these teams has created the mess, unlike in Qld where the QRU run the show. Anyway, this is just the cosmetic stuff as the main drivers for the NRC is working in bridging the gap to SR.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Copout? A day ago you refused to acknowledge the fact that Port Adelaide got 45% of the Adelaide AFL crowds because you're mate told you everybody follows other SANFL teams and dislikes them.
Bakkies
Guest
Yep or if they can't do it put it on You Tube after the match has completed as I suggested above.
Bakkies
Guest
Particularly the red and white which the Vikings insist the team wears. This is despite being in a national comp where people outside of the Canberra region can't relate to the Tuggeranong club and a ACT team wearing those colours. The former head coach didn't even play for them back in the day and listed his club as Wests.
Fionn
Guest
Vikings monopoly isn't ideal for Canberra. But nevertheless it's great to have a Canberra team to support when Super Rugby isn't on.
sheek
Roar Guru
Copout.
AndyS
Guest
I don't think that's true. As a random way to select some players, I just looked out the players listed in https://www.rugbypass.com/news/update-blacks-release-9-players-npc-matches/. Pretty much all have only played for one M10 team, it pre-dated getting a SR contract, they continue to return to it even if it isn't local to their SR team, and the teams certainly not all being Premiership...
Brett McKay
Expert
Pass, Sheek. Nothing I say is going to alter your my-way-or-the-highway position, so I'm not going to bother.
sheek
Roar Guru
So Brett, Q1 - Tell me how the Vikings monopoly is good for Canberra? Q2 - You don't think NRC needs to get their teams & fanbases connected properly to succeed? Artificial BBL teams might work in cricket, but rugby might need something more sustainable. Anyway, for me, the Australian national comp, isn't these NRC teams. It's New South Wales, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Western Australia, etc. As you know.....