The fifth season of the crucial pillar of the Australian rugby pathways, the National Rugby Championship, is upon us again, with three games this weekend in Fiji, Canberra and Brisbane.
The fourth game of Round 1, a much-anticipated local derby between the Sydney Rays and NSW Country Eagles will be played on Wednesday September 19, to get around the still-to-be resolved clash with the Shute Shield Grand Final in Sydney this weekend.
On that front, my understanding is that good progress is being made to ensure that the clash doesn’t happen again next year, and that both Rugby Australian and the Sydney Rugby Union are confident that the Shute Shield and NRC don’t overlap in 2019. And that’s pleasing; if Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, and Perth can all play their Grand Finals early and allow their NRC sides time to prepare, there’s really no reason why Sydney can’t do the same for the NSW sides.
The biggest change for the 2018 edition of the NRC is that we’re back to eight teams, with confirmation coming through back in June that NSW Rugby had made the decision to shed their third side and mimic the Queensland model of a city and country side, a move that coincides with greater input, planning, and even day-to-day operational support from the Waratahs.
Andrew Kellaway runs the ball back for the NSW Country Eagles (Loryn Ettridge/Rugby Australia)
On the surface, this increased input and support from the Waratahs is long overdue and something that when compared to the other four states has been conspicuous by its absence. And if it means the NSW sides are better equipped to make a return tilt on the NRC Finals this season, then that’s a good thing for the competition.
But coming at the expense of the Greater/Western Sydney Rams is where this becomes a bit bittersweet. On one hand, a consolidation of resources and playing talent into two teams can only strengthen NSW Country and Sydney. Even taking the opportunity to rebuild to traditional Sydney-Country rivalry is a good thing.
But shedding the Rams in the same year the Sydney Rugby Union force Penrith out of the Shute Shield isn’t a great look. Never mind the small but passionate Horned Army that mobilised in behind the Rams from day one of the NRC, the removal of yet another pathway to the professional game for rugby in Sydney’s west looks really short-sighted.
It leaves the area ripe for World Series Rugby’s 2019 ambitions, and it remains to be seen if the fledgling competition will swoop in as a saviour for the game in Western Sydney just as it has for the game in Western Australia.
Eight teams, then, means we’re back to seven rounds and no byes, meaning the whole NRC campaign is all over in nine weeks. It’s a sprint, not a marathon (not than 2017’s eleven-week season was a marathon), and slow starts will almost certainly end season before they’ve barely began.
Queensland players celebrate victory during the NRC Grand Final match between Canberra and Queensland Country at Viking Park on November 11, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
And that brings a new element of intrigue into this year’s competition, because the stronger squads in NSW, along with the sprint nature to the tournament mean that not only will all eight teams be capable of beating each other, they’ll need to hit the ground running and do exactly that to ensure they start strongly. They who hesitate finish bottom four.
On the field, the rugby played in this season’s NRC will look very similar to last year’s, which in actual fact looked pretty much the same as 2016 – and both years were described as being the best yet. If the 2018 season repeats that – and my gut feel already is that it will – then the competition will only continue to consolidate itself as the crucial development rung on the ladder.
The traditional points system restored last year will carry over, as will all the experimental laws introduced over the run of the competition, and which are mostly all in place in Super Rugby now anyway. There will continue to be scope for local refereeing interpretations around the speed of the set piece, and the locations of short-arm quick taps; anything that keeps the game flowing and the ball in play will carry over.
I’ve admitted several times since that I was pleasantly surprised that the restoration of the five-two-three points scoring had no impact on teams’ style of play and the approach to the game at all.
Yes, more penalty goals were attempted, but 21 penalties from 26 attempts across 39 NRC games is hardly grinding play to a halt. For what it’s worth, last year’s 26 was up from the one solitary, successful attempt in 2016, but no teams averaged more than one penalty attempt per game last year.
Looking ahead to this weekend’s games, it’s all a bit of the unknown, with squad lists and memory all you can really go off in trying to measure likely strength, never mind anything resembling actual form.
Connor Vest during the NRC Rd 8 match between Perth Spirit vs Sydney Rays (Photo by Johan Schmidt)
From that point of view, the Western Force – admitted to the NRC in place of Perth Spirit – come into this year’s NRC with a distinct advantage, having already played seven strong WSR games as a group prior to the NRC. They would have to start the competition as one of the favourites, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how their form this year carries through.
Plenty of teams are offering free entry again this year, though I’d strongly suggest you check club websites and social media to confirm all details. You certainly won’t be disappointed in checking a game or two out this season.
NRC Round 1
Saturday
3pm FST / 1pm AEST: Fiji Drua v Melbourne Rising; Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori, Fiji – live streamed on www.foxsports.com.au
5pm AEST: Canberra Vikings v Queensland Country; Viking Park, Canberra – LIVE on Fox Sports 503
Sunday
3pm AEST: Brisbane City v Western Force; Norths Rugby Club, Brisbane – LIVE on Fox Sports 503
(Sydney Rays v NSW Country Eagles to be played Wednesday 19 September).
Tips
There’s a fair bit of guesswork here, as I’ve mentioned, and even plenty of presumption about the possible return of Wallabies but I’m thinking this way for the opening weekend: Fiji and Canberra at home on Saturday; Western Force in Brisbane on Sunday.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Are you all there? All 3 of those articles were written by Tom Decent of the SMH. They are just published on the Crimes site too. But as it turns out I found 2 articles in the lead up and 1 with the result just looking on the website - It's amazing what you find when you actually look... https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/rugby-union/canberra-vikings-lose-grand-final-rematch-against-queensland-country-20180901-p5015y.html?crpt=index https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/rugby-union/vikings-prop-vunipola-fifita-chasing-opportunities-in-canberra-20180831-p500ze.html?crpt=index https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/rugby-union/tom-banks-folau-faingaa-rory-arnold-joe-powell-released-for-vikings-20180828-p5007e.html?crpt=index
concerned supporter
Guest
Memo Brett, Fionn, Bakkies & other ACT people, Is there, or is there not an RA Marketing & Promotions Department? Canberra Times (I know it is a sister to the SMH) have run 3 articles on the Shute Shield Final, here they are, ''https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/rugby-union/pain-of-2016-defeat-driving-students-towards-shute-shield-glory-20180831-p5013j.html'' ''https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/rugby-union/beyond-the-field-what-players-in-this-weekend-s-shute-shield-final-do-outside-of-footy-20180831-p50104.html'' ''https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/rugby-union/sydney-university-bracing-for-hostile-reception-from-warringah-hillbillies-20180830-p500rs.html'' NIL on NRC?
gatesy
Roar Guru
Bring it on - can't wait - which newbie stars will be unveiled this season??
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
No thanks to Cheika and Co. We'd actually like to win matches.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Your dreaming. No one is WA will ever agree to being manipulated to serve or dictated to by East Coast Rugby again.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
I think the idea of using the Western Force name in the NRC is a logical one. It's now the brand used for all other WA teams. There was a good role up for the Force V Stockmen game last week even thogh it was held in the outer suburbs. I expect the games at the centrally located UWA will be very well attended.
Lukas
Roar Pro
The fact that they are currently administered by different bodies is completely irrelevant to what ought to happen. And as emotional as it is, the history of how things have been done up till now should also be irrelevant. Reverse your thinking for a second. It's not that a Brumbies team playing in the NRC would "feed" the NSW and QLD teams, it that the QLD and NSW teams would play at a higher level of representation as befitting the significantly higher potentially to play a handful of games in front of much larger crowds a la State of Origin, hence the comparison. NO ONE suggests that sides from ACT and Victoria should play against the Blues and Maroons, or that the Blues and Maroons should play week in week out. For good reason. I do understand what is hard to stomach about this proposal. For a Force, Rebels or Brumbies fan, the NRC at present is a massive demotion from Super Rugby. But the whole point is that it shouldn't be, it should be the heart of rugby in Australia, akin to the NRL as much as possible. I do understand that the history is different in rugby versus Rugby League, but Storm and Raiders fans don't want to play against the Blues and Maroons because where they are -- in the NRL -- is just fine. They understand that the Blues and Maroons are massive markets compared with them, and that keeping that product undiluted ultimately benefits the game overall. What I'm seeing from Force, Rebels and Brumbies fans is a failure of imagination re: how great the NRC could be. With that going well, most fans would happily tune in to a rugby "State of Origin" concept, or a short competition involving NSW, QLD and a handful of other club teams in the world. You might deny it, but I believe it.
AJ
Guest
QLD Country to face the Vikings 1. Harry Hoopert* - Brothers – Jondaryn 2. Alex Casey - Souths 3. James Slipper - Bond University – Gold Coast 4. Harry Hockings - University of Queensland – Bowen 5. Angus Blyth - Bond University – Gold Coast 6. Angus Scott-Young - University of Queensland 7. Liam Wright - Easts 8. Caleb Timu - Souths 9. James Tuttle - GPS 10. Hamish Stewart - Bond University – Pittsworth 11. Joey Fittock* - Bond University – Gold Coast 12. Duncan Paia’aua – Norths - Rockhampton 13. Jordan Petaia* - Wests 14. Jock Campbell - University of Queensland – Gold Coast 15. Tom Lucas* - Sunnybank – Rockhampton Reserves 16. Effi Ma’afu - Wests 17. Richie Asiata - Easts 18. Jake Simeon** - Souths 19. Rob Puli’uvea - Wests 20. Tai Ford - Bond University – Gold Coast 21. Harry Wilson** - Brothers 22. Tate McDermott - University of Queensland – Sunshine Coast 23. Patrick James - Brothers Sunday September 2 Brisbane City vs Western Force, Norths, 3pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS Brisbane City to take on the Force 1. JP Smith – Reds/GPS (Brisbane City debut) 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – Reds/Sunnybank (Brisbane City debut) 3. Ruan Smith – Reds/GPS (Brisbane City debut) 4. Pat Morrey – University of Queensland 5. Nathan Den Hoedt – Sunnybank (NRC/Brisbane City debut) 6. Adam Korczyk (C) – Reds/University of Queensland 7. Fraser McReight – Brothers (NRC/Brisbane City debut) 8. Dillon Wihongi – Wests (NRC/Brisbane City debut) 9. Moses Sorovi – Reds/Wests 10. Quade Cooper – Reds/Souths 11. Jayden Ngamanu – Reds/Souths 12. Con Foley – University of Queensland (Brisbane City debut) 13. Karmichael Hunt – Reds/Souths 14. Emori Waqavulagi – Souths (NRC/Brisbane City debut) 15. Jaye Thompson – GPS (NRC/Brisbane City debut) Reserves 16. Moli Sooaemalelagi - Sunnybank 17. Misioka Timoteo – Wests (NRC/Brisbane City debut) 18. Feao Fotuaika – Souths 19. Tuaina Tualima – Sunnybank 20. Matt Gicquel – GPS (NRC/Brisbane City debut) 21. Phoenix Hunt – Easts (NRC/Brisbane City debut) 22. James Dalgleish – University of Queensland 23. Matt Gordon – Easts (Brisbane City debut) See there's quite a number of players that are straight out of Qld premier rugby which will be great to see how they step up. Not sure what's happened to Reece Hewat? He was immense for Norths this year, ended up captain, age of 20 and was a natural leader.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
Having looked over the first round lists I think we could be seeing the strongest year yet in terms of overall quality on the pitch. Which is why it's such a travesty that this article is literally the only one I've seen (the Blaise McKee piece aside) actually looking to promote the competition. This is crazy.
Boomeranga
Guest
Excellent. I'm hoping to see that true blue country boy, Jake Gordon, on the team list as well. From my scribbled team lists of who I know to be country origin players, Eagles will have a pretty solid pack but might be scratching for a decent back line. Gordon and Mason with Newsome at either 13 or 15 would be a good start.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Actually I believe in 2017 NSW was in the black. Albeit to the meagre tune of something like $15k.
Don
Roar Rookie
Thanks AJ We had to drink that Newstead stuff at Ballymore during the finals. Boy, I hope you are wrong about having to drink that at our club ground too.
John R
Roar Guru
You could make a documentary about it aye. Launch the doco on the back of a huge new grass roots funding campaign, with that doco showing the tangible pathway to international rugby.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
It's a strong team that can leave Simone and Peni on the bench! Looking forward to it.
Bakkies
Roar Guru
The Canberra District Rugby League Club (Raiders) is headquartered in Queanbeyan NSW.
Bakkies
Roar Guru
Melbourne Storm is a League club in the NRL. Completely irrelevant comparison. The Brumbies is the representative team for the ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union a completely independent union to the NSWRU whose representative team is the Waratahs. THEY will never be a feeder for a Waratahs team you clearly have not got that through your head since you posted that drivel.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Nice summary Brett and like many other fans I was glad they ditched the "mickey mouse" 8 point tries. If I was going to suggest any tinkering at all I would just rule that conversions be attempted only with a speedily taken drop kick. I thought NRC2017 was the best yet, the Fijian Drua added a spark to the whole competition although as you rightly say above, the three NSW teams disappointed. Whittling it down to 2 teams from NSW is a good move. I will go on a limb here and predict Vikings will meet the Rising or Qld Country in the final. Sadly the Spirit have lost too much Force to present as a danger. Round One Teams and Times are: Saturday 1st September Fijian Drua vs Melbourne Rising. 1pm AEST Fijian Drua 1. Eroni Mawi 2. Tuvere Vugakoto Veremalua 3. Luke Tagi 04. Peni Naulago 5. Albert Tuisue 6. Filimone Seru 7. Mosese Voka 8. Eremasi Radradro 9. Frank Lomani 10. Alivereti Veitokani 11. Levani Kurumudu 12. Cyril Reece 13. Poasa Waqanibau 14. Avete Daveta 15. Apisalome Waqatubu Reserves: 16. Ratunaisa Navuma 17. Joeli Veitayaki 18. Mosese Ducivaki 19. Tevita Naqali 20. Johnny Dyer 21. Peni Raidre 22. Serupepeli Vularika 23. Enele Malele. Melbourne Rising 1. Tetera Faulkner 2. Anaru Rangi 3. Jermaine Ainsley 4. Matt Philip 5. Trevor Hosea 6. Angus Cottrell 7. Richard Hardwick 8. Isi Naisarani 9. Harrison Goddard 10. Archie King 11. Tom English 12. Billy Meakes 13. Sione Tuipulotu 14. Sefa Naivalu 15. Justin Masters Reserves: 16. Andrew Tuala 17. Fereti Sa’aga 18. Mees Erasmus 19. Esei Haangana 20. Robert Leota 21. Michael Ruru 22. Kemu Valetini 23. Kiti Ratu The Drua have about 3-4 new players in their pack, the two big changes in the backs are no John Stewart or Eroni Sau. The good news is Apete Daveta, their gun 5/8 is still there. They were fun to watch last year so let' s hope they are strong enough to continue the good work from 2017. Rising 2018 is far stronger than the 2017 version, thanks to the influx of ex-Force players. Nick Stirzaker and L.Timani are gone, but replaced by pretty handy players M.Ruru and I.Naisarani. Canberra Vikings vs QLD Country, Viking Park, 5pm AEST Vikings: 1. Sione Taula 2. Folau Fainga’a 3. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin 4. Rory Arnold 5. Darcy Swain 6. Blake Enever 7. Luke Kimber 8. Ben Hyne (c) 9. Joe Powell 10. Wharenui Hawera 11. Lausii Taliauli 12. Jordan Jackson-Hope 13. Len Ikitau 14. Andy Muirhead 15. Tom Banks Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney 17. Vunipola Fifita 18. Tom Ross 19. BJ Edwards 20. Brodie Leber 21. Ryan Lonergan 22. Irae Simone 23. Chance Peni I predicted the Vikings would win it last year on the basis of their monster back 5 but R.Valetini is wounded and not sure where Tom Cusack or Lolo Fakao’silea are. Even so they are very dangerous with their four WB in this match. Qld Country will need to be right on song and with a new coach. QLD Country. TBA Sunday 2nd September Brisbane City vs Western Force, Hugh Courtney Oval (North's field ) 3pm AEST Brisbane City TBA Force TBA Sydney Rays vs NSW Country Eagles. Leichhardt Oval 7:00pm Wednesday 19th September
Bakkies
Roar Guru
Yes they can the Rebels are still going to receive far more than the other sides even when the RA posts a loss. The RA have shown they are capable of backing out of a 'deal.'
Bakkies
Roar Guru
Yes the directors are supposed to be independent as well as the nominations committee that goes through their application. For example Phil Waugh's application: - Sydney Uni tick - Former Waratahs captain tick - Shore old boy tick - Makes the odd appearance on Fox Sports tick
Bakkies
Roar Guru
Watch the Mitre 10 Cup matches.