I’ve been doing a lot of reminiscing recently – not just small things like seeing friends in person, but with rugby league, too.
I’ve thought back to England reaching the 2017 World Cup final, that amazing 2014 grand final, back to days when Latrell Mitchell didn’t go missing for 80-minute stints. Or if he did, at least while he was at the Roosters.
Having somehow ended up in a debate having to prove that Souths are historically more successful than the Broncos (“History did not begin in 1988.” I win), I stumbled across a competition called the Amco Cup, the closest Australia ever came to a standalone, knock-out rugby league cup.
It was eventually canned for reasons of over-scheduling, fatigue and disinterest. Greg Prichard wrote an excellent piece about its nostalgic value, while providing the consensus view that it can’t return.
But with some tweaks, I believe that it can be revived. Hell, we brought back Tina Turner, and if last week’s performance is anything to go by, are returning to an age where Wayne Bennett was just a grumpy Queenslander rather than a serial winner (something we England followers know all about).
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Before you dismiss this as bored, nostalgic ramblings, I want to address concerns that led to it being scrapped in the first place.
The original midweek games are a non-starter. A five-day turnaround between rounds is just about acceptable, so three games a week, five times, would be too much. The Dragons have shown that some players struggle even for 80 minutes a week. Weekend rounds are the order of business.
Round 1 could be played in February, Round 2 in March, both still pre-season. Of course, there would be gripes around playing competitive footy so early.
Leave aside the fact that many of these ties will be against lower-grade competition. NRL premiers already fly across the world for the World Club Challenge, the annual condescending humiliation of the best that the UK can muster. And the 2014 edition at Allianz Stadium, where the Sydney Roosters defeated Wigan in front of 31,515, proves fans will turn out for early non-NRL games if there’s something on the line.
For the quarter-finals and semi-finals, there are already bye rounds built in to accommodate State of Origin. Replace this humdrum mediocrity with the excitement of the cup. Rather than taint the pureness of the league standings by playing without Origin stars, use what would otherwise have been a second-rate weekend to excite fans with winner-takes-all knockout ties.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The final, I admit, would have to eat into the a regular NRL round. One or two games would have to be rescheduled to midweek to accommodate the final on a weekend.
But for the non-final sides, it is a case of a round delayed rather than an extra game. And for the sides involved in the final, a solitary, slightly discombobulated round is a price worth paying for staging a cup final, and all the glory that comes with it.
And if coaches don’t want to risk their players, that’s their prerogative. No one would force Paul Green to pick Jason Taumalolo during the Origin bye, or make Des Hasler play the Trbojevics against the Sunshine Coast Falcons. If he believes that he can get away without Daly Cherry-Evans, or simply doesn’t care, that’s his choice.
The grand final it is not, but it would be meaningful silverware, a chance for glory, something that players and fans can enjoy and look back on with fondness. The revived Amco Cup won’t be as big as a premiership ring, not even close, but would provide another chance for victory, bragging rights, and an addition to the trophy cabinet.
Sport is supposed to put you on the edge of your seat, make you nervously excited and produce moments that leave you breathless. A weakened second-string match to see who finishes 13th while the star players are away on Origin duty doesn’t quite do it.
But a one-off chance to win some silverware, head to the big ground and have that day in the sun, sharing the rugby league love to lower-league sides without disrupting the NRL, seems like a great addition.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
The exposure is great for the CRL brand. Besides, I have seen some great Group rep teams over the years. There are great amateur players who have no ambition to go and play in the NRL week-to-week.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
I would start with Country rep teams from NSW and QLD, the champions from each NSWRL and QRL premier division clubs, state association rep teams from the rest of Australia, and domestic based rep teams from the Pacific
matth
Roar Guru
Exactly, they had to return to their clubs each weekend and then get together each week to travel down to Sydney. Little or no training sessions, travel in an era when players didn't do it. At the time, Canberra were the furthest any team travelled. It was a mighty effort.
Rellum
Roar Guru
They had to travel mid week in the age of, well, semi amateurism. Their recovery would have been horrific for a mid week game. You cannot overstate how hard that travel was at that time. The Early Broncs years showed that as well for the Broncs and the visiting teams. They were not a team but a rep team so they only played together mid week. They were a great collection of players but it took all that ability to get past those obstacles.
max power
Guest
hurdles? they had the best team on paper by a mile
Rellum
Roar Guru
The Brisbane residents win in the mid 80's is one of my favorite league memories. The hurdles that team had to over come was immense.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would rather see the QRL than a Broncos reserve grade team. The QRL is a great comp, no need to destroy it for some meaningless comp.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Only if it includes the State teams and runs over the Origin period. That way we might get a few upsets and teams can stay fit and play for something without the usual Origin ruined our chances arguments.
Bear
Guest
I would like to see the Commonwealth Bank cup brought back great School comp
Doug Graves
Guest
It's a nostalgic idea but I'd rather see the NRL implement a complete 30 round home and away schedule.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I used to really enjoy watch those games BD. Younger players coming through and the older ones still running around or coming back from injury. Then a few of them sitting on the bench for first grade!
Nat
Roar Guru
Unfortunately I think the amatuer country clubs would be set up for a hiding. Only very few would be competitive with NSW & Qld cup teams just as the best Stae comp team would be average against an NRL team. Once the local tradies start taking on semi pro & pro clubs, the level professionalism would become evident pretty quickly. If you left the NRL out, you might get a few smokies from the bush occasionally.
Big Daddy
Guest
Suchhi, that's something I would love to see. I suppose because these comps are state based we would only get to see a limited number of matches. The NSWRL and QRL need to work closer with the NRL to achieve that.
Dayer
Roar Rookie
you forgot the other states and a territory .. WA, VIC. NT. SA
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I’d rather see a strong reserve grade comp player prior to the first grade game.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I'm old enough to remember the Amco Cup. I think Russell Fairfax broke his leg in one of those midweek games. I know clubs could rest their stars however I guess the prizemoney was probably worth chasing back then. One lasting memory was Western Division who I think was coached by Johnny King being successful wth TV Ted Ellery playing a starring role. If we bring back the Amco Cup perhaps we could reincarnate Rex Mossop's panel show with the passing competition & the great prizes such as Patra orange juice. Memories.
Drew
Guest
More games? A season that already feels like it lasts for ever, pre season 9s comp, state of origin, internationals. Then local comps to follow as well. I dunno man. Sometimes more does not equal better.
PaulC
Roar Rookie
Your joking, could I please have some of what you are smoking?
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
If a Challenge Cup type competition was to return, I would start with Country rep teams from NSW and QLD, the champions from each NSWRL and QRL premier division clubs, state association rep teams from the rest of Australia, and domestic based rep teams from the Pacific. Those teams would play off until a top 4 is achieved, and then introduce the NSW cup, QLD cup and a top 4 of a separate NRZL play off. Work those teams down to a top 16, then include the NRL clubs into a 36 team bracket. Of course, this would rely on serious funding from both the NRL and NZRL to achieve, so its a massive pipe dream and would never actually happen.
Aussie D
Guest
Personally think C10 were on the right track in the early 90s when they made it a pre-season knockout competition. Make it over 4 weeks replacing the trial matches, keep the four quarter concept too. Make it a 'country' tour with knocked out teams playing against each other the following weeks. The season would need to be shortened by 2 weeks, so clubs would need to be won over.