The sleeping giant of Australian sport? Or a dead horse that has been flogged three different ways?
The illusive second-tier provincial rugby competition that our sport has desperately needed for decades is on again in its most recent manifestation, the NRC.
Most outside the rugby fraternity won’t know it exists and even a dedicated rugby fan has to work hard to watch it. If you don’t have Fox you’ll need a speedy internet connection.
Like most, I have been cynical about this competition. At first I tried to care about it out of a sense of responsibility to my code, but like so many others I had no emotional connection to a team invented overnight – in my case the North Harbour Rays.
For some reason though, this year something is different. Maybe it’s the consolidation of the Sydney teams into one, playing in a jersey that I and so many other young rugby players once wore in one of the first junior representative honours afforded to a Sydney boy. Suddenly, I had pride in one of the jerseys out on that field. Suddenly I cared.
Charles Abel wears the Sydney Rays’ 2019 NRC jumper. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
But that wasn’t the end of it. For the first time, I found myself seeking to watch the games of the other teams. My Saturday was suddenly consumed with scheduled fixtures around the country. It dawned on me – I had unintentionally become an NRC fan.
So now, like all good converts, I feel a compulsion to spread the good word. Thus I bring you five good reasons to get into the NRC.
1. The players
Australian rugby is experiencing a wealth of young talent coming of age right now, and the NRC is your best chance to see them.
There are a huge number of players from our successful Junior Wallabies showing they can mix it with the big boys.
Mix in a host of Super Rugby and even Wallaby names standing shoulder to shoulder with these stars of the future, and you have some serious talent out in the field in every game.
2. The fly-half battle
Next year Australian rugby loses Bernard Foley, Christian Lealiifano and Quade Cooper. The Wallabies’ No.10 jersey is seriously up for grabs.
Brisbane City boast the already earmarked 20-year-old Isaac Lucas, Sydney have the Junior Wallaby Will Harrison, NSW Country boast a young Mack Mason, who is incomparable to the accident prone (and perhaps nervous) stand-in for Foley that most Waratahs fans would recognise.
My pick so far has been the Canberra Vikings fly half Noah Lolesio. This kid looks the most likely to challenge Lucas for that future green-and-gold No.10.
3. The crowds are growing
OK, stay with me here. Yes, they’re not playing to a full Parramatta Stadium. In fact, they’re probably smaller crowds than a few Shute Shield teams can boast. But from where this competition started, the site of reasonable crowds in country stands and suburban hills shows there is at least some local interest.
The Western Force continue to bring their fan base along with them on their journey, with a sea of purple colouring the hill at UWA Sports Park. The spreading of both NSW and Queensland Country games across different regional towns gives them a rare chance to watch Wallabies and Super Rugby stars run around, and they turn up to watch it.
The Canberra Vikings clearly have the best set up, with the well run Viking Sports Club creating an amazing atmosphere that allows fans to watch great rugby from the warmth and comfort of the licensed club.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
I’m not saying the crowds are really something to boast to the other codes about, but it is something to give us hope that it’s catching on.
4. It’s good for our Super Rugby teams
When Jack Debreczeni moved from the Rebels to the Chiefs, he was asked why he believed the NZ teams were so dominant. His answer was simple: their provincial competition.
With so many of the players afforded the chance to continue playing with their team-mates for months after the Super Rugby season finishes, every year they have a head start on their Australian counterparts who are forced to learn each other’s game from scratch.
The more Super Rugby players that play with each other outside of the short Super Rugby season, the stronger our teams will be.
5. It’s good rugby.
Simple point I know, but this is the point that matters.
The rugby is fast paced, high scoring, and entertaining.
This is, I concede, is perhaps the most subjective claim I can make, so by all means test this for yourself. Give it a chance, you might just find yourself converting someone else.
andrewM
Roar Rookie
Griped? not sure if that's a typo or you saying it's giving everyone the sh%ts?
Tuc Du Nard
Roar Rookie
Thanks Carrick. All good points. Seeing the young blokes from U20 stepping up and showing how to back up properly has been a revelation. The instinct from some seems way better than in previous generations imo. Just seeing clinical rugby at times gives me heart. The standard is much better than I expected.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
All the NRC needs now is the appropriate amount of attention and resources to help transform it into something that reflects the quality of the Rugby on display.
Richard
Guest
So good to read an article about the NRC that perfectly reflects what I have seen this year. I've been into this comp since day 1 and I think this year the foundations have finally set. Very excited about the talent that is running around. Historically there have been 3 - 5 guys who have Wallaby written all over them running around (excluding that actual Wallabies playing). This year I reckon 10 - 15 are out there. Loving the mix of commentary as well.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Plenty. Harry Hoopert, Matt Fessler, Harry Hockings, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Hamish Stewart, Carter Gordon, Jeremiah Lynch, Tom Lucas just to name those that were in the 23 last game. Why is GC not Country? It’s always been for the traditional team. Is it not because it just gives you another reason to moan?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
True. QLD Country in name only. How many lads come from outside Brisbane and say, the Goldie. That's the joke. Should be renamed QLD 2.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
he did
hayboy
Roar Rookie
Why would there be a sea of purple at UWA watching the Force? They're blue.
piru
Roar Rookie
I think Deegan signed with the Rebels?
Paul
Roar Rookie
Further to my previous comment, it appears that Uelese's younger brother is also lining up for a crack at the big time. https://www.melbournerebels.com/news/2019/09/12/rising-star-junior-uelese
Carrick Ryan
Roar Rookie
Look colours aren't my forte, dark blue? Yes you are correct (though I didn't know about him signing with Sydney). Deegan and the Force are playing great rugby too.
piru
Roar Rookie
To paraphrase Bill Lawry "That's Indian Ocean blue my friend and don't you fxxxing forget it!"
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately Malo, you are correct. The RA Marketing & Promotions team went walkabout as usual Fox was only interested in televising one game, midday start ???? I think that Fox want more subscribers for KAYO. Had a few beers with Rugby blokes on Monday night, all Rugby people from GPS or Assoc Schools. These people are the heart & soul of Rugby supporters, yet not one watched or discussed the NRC game at Woollahra Oval, yet there was lots of discussion relating to the Easts Souths NRL game on Friday Night. If Foxtel are seemingly not interested in televising all NRC games and no FTA how will NRC prosper? I watched the game, it was a good spectacle. Will Harrison, L. Foketi ??? , & L.Swinton are great prospects for the Waratahs next year. RA & Foxtel have both dropped the ball.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
I can understand why the ARU tried to involve the Shute Shield clubs when the NRC was set-up, inviting them to bid for franchises; if it had gone well, there would've been the sort of instant rivalry which people have been wanting. However, it's a shame that (for various reasons) it didn't work out and ended up with active hostility from some in Sydney rugby. Hopefully now it's Country and City the remaining detractors will be won over, as there is plenty of upside to the competition. I agree with Debreczeni above; more chances to play together, along with generating a wider player base than just the SR academies, and we can generate more players nearly ready to make the step up to the next level. The gap between amateur club rugby and professional Super Rugby is too wide these days - it's only the rare star who can bridge it, and if they don't make it then you are left with a failure who is on a full professional contract. But given a season or two in the NRC with professional coaching and year-round training and support for those 100 or so guys who've been promoted from amateur club rugby, and you can spend longer identifying who has, not just the talent, but the drive and smarts to make it in a professional set-up.
Ex force fan
Guest
Love the NRC, it should become our Currie Cup. It is good preparation for the Force prior to next years GRR and confirms that the Force is on the right path with player selection and the development opportunities.
Deborah Buckley
Roar Rookie
Sea of Purple? Sounds like you turned on a game and saw the Perth Glory crowd. Or condolences if you are colour blind and think they are play in purple? Also no mention of Deegan in the first-fives? He has signed for Sydney next year!!! They finally recognise him after all these years.
Rough Conduct
Guest
My team is Queenland Country, unfortunately they have nothing to do with Queensland Country, just a second Brisbane team based in the little regional hamlet of the Gold Coast. Shove your NRC.
piru
Roar Rookie
6. it's the only comp that spans Australia and is subject only to Australian objectives
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I finally tuned in last weekend and watched a couple of game. What we need more of is weekly or fortnightly updates on the comp and the try scorers and people to look out for. I have to say i’m wrapped with the western force and already have predicted their title win. Great article. We need more of this.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I have to agree. This year has been a major step forward for the NRC. NSW have teams sorted in the logical Country and City guises and the free streaming on Rugby.com.au is excellent.