Forget Super Rugby for a second. The game in this country really begins on March 24 in Queensland, April 7 in New South Wales and Canberra, and on April 21 in Melbourne.
Add to this the games in Western Australia and the Northern Territoy and we will be in full swing.
Frustration with the governance of Rugby Australia combined with poor results in Super Rugby for Australian sides has resulted in fans starting to walk away from the game.
Yet, amidst all of the chaos, club rugby has stoked the fire.
Club rugby provides what is lacking in Super Rugby. Passion. A deep burning desire for your team to win. Of course, this is driven by the localisation of each side – we see the players train, celebrate and work in their day to day lives.
We can also identify with our side because these guys aren’t just people we see on the TV once a week, they are people we know. They care and hence, we care.
It allows us to connect, to belong to something greater than the individual.
For too long has there been a gulf between Queensland and the Reds, between New South Wales and the Waratahs. Long gone are the days where 20,000 turn up to GIO Stadium and barrack for the Brumbies.
These sides are meant to represent us, however the link has been weakened with a lack of rugby fundamentals that are built on effort. The public has and always will back sides that compete, but when that is not evident, support wavers.
Compounding these issues is the ever-competitive Australian sporting landscape. Rugby has been pushed to the outskirts, allowing many to be taken away by other sports.
Despite these complications, suburban teams provide a connection for locals to actually be part of rugby. Not just a spectator but a fan; someone who wears their heart on their sleeve.
In the Shute Shield, an estimated 20,000 turned up to see Warringah hold on to beat Norths in an absolute thrilling final last year. In Queensland, over 6600 turned up to watch UQ finally beat GPS in their final – more than half of the 11,000 at the Round 1 Reds vs Brumbies match this season.
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These crowds, along with the passion, desire and tribalism that club rugby brings, is the much-needed medicine to help revive our sick game. We need to tap into what works in these state competitions and take them to the bigger stage.
At the very least, the barriers between the professional sides and the clubs that sit beneath them need to be broken down. These relationships need to be enhanced in order for the clubs to offer their much-needed qualities to our state and Super Rugby organisations.
Most annoyingly, players are frequently withheld from playing for their allotted club side, even when they are not required for their Super Rugby side. To restore the allegiances and loyalty of club rugby back to our Super sides, these players need to be playing club football so we can have someone to represent us and identify with when we attend games. The more they play, the better.
Along with this, changes should be made to help increase the attendance of clubs to the professional games. If at every stadium a portion of its capacity was opened up to the clubs, with discounted tickets offered to registered players and their families, not only would crowds increase and generate more revenue, but the atmosphere would be vastly improved.
One thing is certain: club rugby is re-establishing the craving for the game around the nation. I’m excited to see it back.
Vodka
Guest
Interesting that people who are very passionate club rugby fans on here have failed to mention that there is an important club rugby game on tomorrow, Warringah (winners of the Shute Shield) vs University (winners of the Hospital Cup). Love the passion of club rugby, and love the pace and skill of the NRC. Super rugby doesn’t do either for me at the moment, unless I watch two NZ teams play. My NRC teams: North Harbour - currently Sydney Rays South Harbour - currently NSW Country Western Sydney North Brisbane - currently QLD Country South Brisbane - currently Brisbane Canberra Melbourne Perth
Reverse Wheel
Guest
The Waratahs should be telling their recruits from outside the Sydney club scene what their new home club should be, and the answer should be Penrith, Parra and Wests in that order.
Bakkies
Guest
Crocodile this was suggested in the 80s. Politics, self interest and no money got in the way. Nothing has changed.
Bakkies
Guest
Absolutely as it improves the standard of club Rugby and takes the weight off those clubs who aim to have 'high' performance programs rather than focusing on paying bills and junior development.
rebel
Guest
When you survey them we will know. Doesn't matter as you will have a different opinion tomorrow anyway.
Train without a station
Guest
Try reading the comments. That will help. Like the part where I asked are they proof of rugby supporters, or are they just school supporters.
Gary
Guest
I was at the GF and if it wasn't 20,000 it was so close as not to matter . Where are you getting your info from mate ?
Bakkies
Guest
Geez you are getting defensive. The competition nearly finished in December last year due to the behaviour of the SRU. The Wallaby squad was selected with rounds to go. Clubs across the country use Cricket grounds so that is not an excuse. Due to the new CBA which has a policy concerning player breaks this is unlikely to keep continuing. Why should a Sydney district comp hold the rest of the participating unions to ransom?
Bakkies
Guest
Agreed CS, the SRU brought in Canberra, Newcastle and Penrith from outside areas to expand the comp. That's what you expect when expanding rather than being threatened with the axe.
rebel
Roar Guru
Not sure of the exact week but it was a player no longer with the Tahs early in the season a couple of years ago.
rebel
Roar Guru
So we shouldn't expand the game into schools? Hard to keep up with your flip flop wibble wabble.
AndyS
Guest
Agree with this. It isn't ideal that they overlap, but realistically it would only affect a small number of players. The bigger impact would be crowds, but that is hardly the end of the world...if necessary, schedule the first week of the NRC as an away game for Sydney teams.
Tuck Du Nard
Guest
Just to add to the conversation re ticketing. Why don't the tickets all include train travel? (Ok if we had a good rail system!)And they do it for events at Homebush.... So Newcastle, Gong rugby fans get their travel free. The trains are running anyway, put a few rugby fans on the trains! Then we will need a new stadium.....
Train without a station
Guest
So fully fit players, who need game time aren’t playing? You see I can cite examples of this not occurring. When did this occur?
Train without a station
Guest
Because of the concern being that you don’t get more ticket holders if the second venue isn’t equally supported
Train without a station
Guest
But that’s the point. Potential. If people only attend because they are alumni, where is the potential to grow? You are limited to alumni.
concerned supporter
Guest
Big Dog, You are perfectly correct what you say, "That’s not the way it works; there are excellent and well-supported subbies comps for those who are unable to field the required number of teams and players." The same applies to the NRL, but it doesn't stop their administration pulling out all stops to ensure that their Premier competition is as even as possible I would give Penrith Emus, special concessions to start rebuilding their image"so that the thousands of young people in the district will have ambitions to play for a successful club..The young people are there, fish where the fish are. Suggested concessions for a start. 1/Draft a certain no of NSW & Australian Schoolboy rep. players to Penrith Colts, say 5 -7 players. 2/ Make sure that they don't languish there, which really depends on the NSWRU. Give them paid scholarships to Western Sydney University, like SU & Randwick do.Or maybe local apprenticeships. 3/Rent houses locally for them ,sharing places with supervision, so that it is convenient for training & playing purposes together with attending University. Plus many other positive things promoted by the NSWRU.There will be a cost to the NSWRU but would be a step to evening up the Shute Shield competition. Similar concessions could be considered for Parramatta Two Blues. The NSWRU has been inactive in the above areas for as long as I can remember, as Sheek said, they are only concerned with maintaining the "status quo"
rebel
Roar Guru
Agree mate, they need to work together better. SS is important and essential, but for Sydney, just as other premier comps are for their cities. NRC is the stepping stone needed to Super rugby. It is the best way at the moment. Hopefully in the future we head down the path of the NRC replacing Super rugby as the main comp with a champions cup.
rebel
Roar Guru
Yes, NZ schoolboy matches are also growing in popularity, even televised. I used to play in a match every ANZAC day straight after the dawn service. Not quality rugby, but always a good crowd and great atmosphere. You can't go wrong playing rugby and having your first beer by mid morning. Point is, make it an event and people will come.
rebel
Roar Guru
Not a fan of this. You say no one cares about almalgamated teams ( I disagree), but no one cares about other club sides in their local comp either. Yet how many miss out? I can gaurantee you I would not follow this national club comp if Southern Districts did not make it. Games are already being played at smaller suburban grounds and they are geting TV coverage, just not free to air. Not going to go into the economics of it, just that it is not viable at this stage. The way it is at the moment is the best way, as at least you get to see your teams players running around somewhere. Only place it is a problem is in Sydney, I think it is time that the Tahs took over the sides and ran it like QLD, with two sidessplitting their squad and supplementing with club players. I know the clubs put their hands up when teams were asked for and I congratulate them for it. Unfortunately I think it should be taken out of their hands.