Battle of the backrows lighting up the NRC

Absolutely agree what they are doing isn't really sustainable, but I don't know that major surgery is the right option. Obviously if they could get SR to be breakeven that would be ideal, and I have no doubt there are measures they should be taking to try and make that a reality. But you are right, the big wins in terms of where money could be spent is in the NRC. If those teams could be properly aligned with the underlying communities the way they should be, much of that benefit would flow down. It is likely that it would also help stabilise SR, lifting the skills and development of players before they've even entered the SR programs. It should be the fulcrum between amateur and professional rugby, and the lack for so long is why the balance has never worked properly. But at the moment it feels like a jigsaw with the pieces flipped over...the bits are all there, but they have no idea about the picture they are trying to build.

AndyS. Thank you for your well thought out reply on Super Rugby. You are probably right in most of your SR theories, but RA cannot afford to haemorrhage $$$$ on SR payments/expenses like they have over the last few years. Maybe with a decent NRC, not what we have at present, the NRC playing standard may be close to SR playing standard, and if a revamped NRC was on FTA then Rugby would be accessible to 100% of current Rugby people and casual fans.

Sure. So if the SR ceases to exist, SR standard players cease to exist. Those there are now will leave because they won't be getting paid, and there would be no money with which to pay them (your premise was that we would be binning both the revenues and cost of SR). The only extra money available under the new model would be that difference in cost, so if it all went into the NRC all that would have realistically achieved is swapping the current SR for a much lower standard one. If used for something else, the NRC would be as it is now, but with all the SR excluded. But that all assumes the value of Test rugby stays the same. Once that top standard of Australian player is current non-SR contracted NRC player, what will happen to the standard of the Test team? Will the broadcaster continue to pay the same money for only 28 hours of total content a year at that standard, or...? SR needs to be thought of as university. It is all cost, but necessary to earn money down the track. Otherwise, if your logic worked, it would be simple enough to extend it....players in Under 11s actually give money to play, so do away with the cost of all the levels above that and the sport will be rolling in Test match cash!

Andy S, I am not being a smart alec, but can you explain, ''money from Test rugby would then very quickly dry up and the whole lot would get flushed…'' Thank you

Except that the money from Test rugby would then very quickly dry up and the whole lot would get flushed...

Thank you, Brett, for answering most of my questions, I will retain your answers for the future. I would agree with you on your NRC explanation, seems logical. But the Bank Accounts of RA and 3 of the 4 SR Franchises are being ravaged by their SR expenses being much greater than their Revenues. Financially, all would be better off if Australia dumped SR, received NIL Broadcasting Revenue from Foxtel. Monies would then be freed up for the NRC, Club Rugby and Grass Roots. RA may then turn out NET PROFITS, and keep clear of firms of Liquidators.

Brett, There will be spectators at Woollahra from the earlier games, but NIL publicity in today's Daily Telegraph or SMH, no teams, the RA are hopeless, incompetent as far as Marketing & Promotions are concerned. Brett & TWAS, We would all agree that Test Rugby is a PROFIT maker for RA, but which do you think is a bigger LOSS maker for the RA? 1/ Super Rugby or, 2/ The NRC?

Slipper is going to the Rebels apparently. Locked in I've heard. Maybe the Brumbies already have a deal with Sione lined up and are just saving $$$$ letting Manuwatu pay him for 3 months.

Letting Sione go was a strange one. I thought he had been solid in the NRC and just starting to settle into Super Rugby. He is still very young too, and naturally big, which would surely be far easier to manage and more effective than trying to over-bulk an undersized prop. As far as I can tell they only have 4 props on the books for next season, one a first year rookie. They must be pretty close to locking in new names to be able to afford to lose 4/7 props from this year's squad (Alexander, Mayhew, Erasmus, Sione). Hoping that Slipper is far further along than just 'talks'.

Brett, Suggest you revise your starting time for Saturday. ''This Weekend at Easts Woollahra No.1 10am Pasifka Cup 11.30am SWRU XVs Grand Final: Sydney University v Warringah 1.30pm SWRU Grand Final Presentation 1.50pm SWRU 7s Tournament Grand Final 2.30pm NRC Round 3 Sydney Rays v Brisbane City 4.30pm Pasifka Cup Woollahra No. 2 & 3 9.00am SWRU 7s Tournament: pool games until 11am''

Excellent news that Jack Dempsey is eyeing a comeback. I really hope he gets back to his previous level of footy. The main reason for the long recovery is Dempsey's leg had suffered nerve damage, as well as tissue and ligaments, which raised extra concerns in light of Rob Horne's career-ending nerve damage in what seemed a run-of-the-mill arm injury.

That really puts some talent back into the Viking Horses. I bet they are chuffed that Rob Valetini is back. The bloke showed so much promise in last year's NRC only to get injured early (was it round 2?) in SR2018. Makes up a little bit for losing Isi Naisarani to the penguins.

Nice points The Selector, I think Liam Wright is a gun and could possibly be the next Liam Gill up in Bananarama Land although I think his best position would be at #6. Am not too sure but I think Wright has played most of his Reds games at #7 also. I would suggest Wright plays openside because Sam Scott-Young is a blindside who doesn't have the pace to be #7 and C.Timu has the pace and beef for a #8. A pretty awesome backrow, likely the best in the NRC. I watched both the Qld Country games in NRC2018 and reckon L.Wright has been one of their best. As Brett says below, the bloke is only 20 and can only improve. Suddenly Australia is looking good with talent covering more and more positions. The outlook is not as dire as it look back in 2016. :)

No shyte Brett... that was a good read. Thanks! :) So, fingers crossed we get to see Dempsey go round, at long last, this w'end for the Rams... oops the Rays. But, with as much seriousness as I can muster, the game I'm really itching to see is Qld Country v Drua in Mackay, McKay. Should be a ripper... like band-aid rip off stuff on hairy legs eh!

Agreed Brett. How they're distributed might become a consideration come the day they take look to professionalise and fund the competition, but as many of the top players that can play should play. Until then it is only a question of relative competitiveness, and this weekend demonstrates how little a problem that is at the moment!