New competitions. New broadcast negotiations. New lockdown measures. New talent distribution ideas. So much has been variously reported, discussed and announced this week you’d be forgiven for forgetting there’s actually some rugby being played tonight.
Too much to talk about all in the one place though? I don’t think so.
Roll up for (yet) another round of broadcast negotiations
It took less than 24 hours for a frontrunner for Rugby Australia’s new(ish) broadcast offering to emerge, with the Daily Telegraph reporting a combined Optus-Ten bid was likely for Super Rugby and Wallabies Tests.
There’s more than a little bit of deja vu about the scenario. Cast your minds back six months and it seemed Raelene Castle was on the verge of sealing a deal with the telco and free-to-air network.
We need not spend much time outlining the merits of a change of broadcaster, given such benefits – live Super Rugby emerging from behind the paywall, the quality of Optus’ football coverage boding well for any move into rugby, and the potential for the 15-man game to be promoted well to the organisation’s phone, internet and English Premier League customers – were discussed in the first half of the year, and earlier. Suffice to say it would be a positive move for the sport.
If such a deal gets closed this time around, Castle should be given a share of the credit, as the offering put to market on Monday follows the groundwork laid by the former CEO, albeit with the additions of State of Ori- sorry, Union and the Champions League-style “Super Eight”.
Of course, it’d be foolish to suggest we know exactly how any broadcast negotiations are going to play out this early. That Optus and Ten have been so consistently mentioned in these discussions is a sure indication of their interest, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if top-level rugby was to remain on Fox Sports in 2021 and beyond.
While they may very well end up bidding for just club rugby, it’s not exactly against their interest for it to be reported that there’s only one party – albeit a combined one – to be interested in the top-tier rights. A late bid wouldn’t be a new tactic. Let’s watch this space.
Interim RA CEO Rob Clarke. (Hugh Peterswald/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
2020 throws down more COVID curveballs
In the grand scheme of everything that’s happening in the world, cancelling a dead-rubber rugby match isn’t significant. Still, missing out on a second Blues versus Crusaders fixture to finish up Super Rugby Aotearoa, as at the time of writing seems inevitable, is a real shame.
The Round 5 meeting between the two was a thrilling encounter, and the prospect of the Blues getting a crack at the champions at home was tantalising, even if the title was no longer up for grabs.
Alas, with new cases of COVID-19 appearing in Auckland, it seems inevitable that Sunday’s match will be cancelled. At least rugby fans can be grateful that last week’s Crusaders-Highlanders clash was an engrossing affair which was a more than adequate makeshift decider.
And if this weekend’s finale is cancelled, it’s for the best that Scott Robertson’s men claimed top spot a week early and so stopped the prospect of an actual decider being scuppered, leaving what was an outstanding ten-week tournament without a winner.
As an aside, how does a side so used to holding trophies manage to drop and damage this one?
(Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)
NRC will be sorely missed by Australian rugby
Speaking of things we won’t see anytime soon, let’s talk about the NRC.
Alongside Super W, the National Rugby Championship was one of two notable omissions from Rugby AU’s offerings for 2021 and beyond. With the 2020 edition already cancelled, we’ve almost certainly seen the last of it.
In such tumultuous economic times, you can’t blame the governing body for prioritising competitions likely to garner more of a broadcast audience, but the impact it’s had on rugby development in the country cannot be so hastily discarded.
Whether it’s been coaches (Brad Thorn, Tim Sampson, Jason Gilmore and a few more) or players (Folau Fainga’a, Isi Naisarani, Will Harrison and many more), the NRC has helped unearth plenty of emerging talent in Australia.
While a national club competition taking the season’s best performers from Sydney, Brisbane and the rest of the country might placate some of the grumpy voices in what could be termed the sport’s more ‘traditional’ clubland, it won’t provide the same developmental benefits as the tournament it replaces.
The way the NRC was scheduled – after Super Rugby and during the international season – allowed the next-best tier of players, like those with potential who might not be given much of a run by their Super sides, plenty of gametime against good, if not provincial-level, opposition.
Take that away and replace it with a “short-form” alternative and there won’t be the same opportunity for consistent footy over a proper season. Nor would emerging players stuck on the bench in Super Rugby be guaranteed a guernsey by their clubs.
On the flipside, given they won’t necessarily have played much of a role in the club season due to provincial duties – and hence done little for the club to qualify for the showcase – teams drafting such players into their XVs for the national tournament would make such a competition somewhat disingenuous.
There aren’t many casual fans who will bemoan the NRC’s demise, but that doesn’t mean it’s a positive development for Australian rugby.
Isi Naisarani in action for the Perth Spirit in the NRC. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Spread the local talent around
“It would help solve team depth issues, the concerns [New Zealand] have, and I think a draft would be extremely promotable and exciting for the fans. It would also create more content for the game.”
So Rugby AU chairman Hamish McLennan told the Sydney Morning Herald’s Georgina Robinson.
I’m a sceptic of McLennan’s State of Union concept, but this idea is entirely more palatable for the reasons he mentions.
Player drafts are the norm in the US, and of course closer to home in the AFL. They’re an excellent way to keep the sport in the headlines in the off-season, with mock drafts and speculation about who’ll take whom with what pick all too easy to enjoy.
They’d also provide a vehicle to balance out positional depth across the country, something we talked about last week. Australia’s player distribution isn’t half as good as it good be, and allowing clubs to pick and choose from the country’s crop of youngsters would go some way to addressing that problem.
NSW and Queensland will protest on the basis of producing the most players in the national talent pool, but given that hasn’t helped them produce the most wins in recent Super Rugby seasons, there’s a fair argument that if they’re not – or at least weren’t – doing enough with said talent, maybe it should go to someone who will.
McLennan’s other proposal in the Herald piece – of allowing surplus New Zealand players and other internationals to join Australian sides – isn’t as enticing.
Sure, it might help out a team or two in the wins column, but the obvious danger is that it comes at the expense of developing local players. There are only five no.9 jerseys available any one week, for example, and the Wallabies are far better served by them being worn by those who can later wear a green and gold guernsey with the same number on the back.
The Junior Wallabies all going into a draft before finding a Super Rugby home? Yes please. (Photo by Amilcar Orfali/Getty Images)
Now, about that rugby
Force versus Waratahs. Reds versus Rebels.
The former screams danger game for the Tahs, who’ll have to avoid a drop-off after the euphoria of trouncing the Reds. The Force will be fresh off the bye and have almost caught out every side already this season, with the exception of the ladder-leading Brumbies, even if they haven’t yet managed to find a victory.
The latter is almost – not quite, but almost – in must-win territory for the Reds, who are coming off consecutive losses. Brad Thorn has reverted to his best-performed back row of Liam Wright, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, a combination which will pose proper challenges for the Rebels around the ground, if not at the lineout.
There are some superb match-ups all over the park in this one. Matt Philip against Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second row. Jordan Uelese and Brandon Paenga-Amosa at hooker. They might not be playing the same position, but James O’Connor at flyhalf facing off against Matt To’omua in the centres.
At the back of the scrum, Wallabies incumbent Isi Naisarani matches up against a young man with claims to take the no.8 jersey away from him in Wilson. And out on one wing we have John Eales Medallist Marika Koroibete opposite Jordan Petaia.
As a neutral, I’m hoping for all to be even, engrossing contests – with one exception. After his father tragically passed away just week, here’s hoping every single thing possible goes Petaia’s way on Saturday, and he reminds us all of his phenomenal talent. Go well, young man.
JAMES G HASLAM
Guest
If NRC was valuable at producing/developing players, how come our super Rugby teams are so bad? The bread and butter for broadcast deals that the AFL and NRL enjoy is the long interesting regular season. Finals and state of Origin, and Anzac Day are the cream. I fear Rugby cannot earn good TV revenue until it provides a good week in week out product. And revenue is needed for grass roots, sustaining clubs, buying players, retaining players. It seems to me the painting of this package as something broadcaster will desire and pay big bucks for is our leaders denying reality. To fix a problem you must first recognize the problem.
Lorry
Guest
Unfortunately, alot of that coverage has been negative eg Malcolm Knox's 400th attack this year on a sport he claims he used to enjoy.... Also, good to see Georgina Robinson slapping down Waleed Aly on Offsiders. I just feel Victorian AFL fans' opinions on rugby (for them that word is used interchangeably for league and union) offer nothing, really...
Lorry
Guest
It won't work! It has been tried with the NRC and the ARC - neither caught on. The A-League was popular for awhile with it's manufactured teams, now people are pining for the days of the NSL (despite all the known issues of sectarianism etc). Just goes to show in such a crowded sports market, there needs to be tribalism built up over decades. Using the already existing NSW and QLD club competitions that have been around for a hundred years and are increasing in popularity is the only way. With the other states, a team could be created if that is seen as the best way to draw a crowd. With NSW and QLD perhaps the top few teams could join a NCC at the end of their season. I feel that our (and NZ's) best players will start going to Europe and Japan and we'll just have to deal with that...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Terminator I think it needs to be like the Premiership Shield and be a defined completion though. Not friendlies. A genuine competition. Even if it’s first past the post. A genuine competition with planned from the start fixtures.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Why do they need anything to do though? It’s off season. NRL players not involved in tests do nothing in the off season.
Jacko
Guest
the problem is that runs with the SR season and does not give players not involved in tests anything to do. It needs to be a seperate comp run post SR
Walbags
Roar Rookie
excellent post Peter
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Ken...one thing I do...is admit when I don't know! It seems to me that the NRC was very important but not well supported by mainly Sydney rugby. Because I don't live there this is stuff I don't really have a handle on.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Late News, I cannot imagine how anyone could not have thought about it like I have. Sheeesh! What is wrong with people? I am grateful for your openness to the idea. Obviously mine is a mere theory and needs the furnace of implementation to temper it. With heat comes clarity. Yet I reckon it’s a gamble worth betting on. One positive about the current CoviDrama (and there are too few) is that we have some thinking/planning time to restructure things. So let’s restructure things!
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Excellent Ray! Write an article please. Essentially the problem with the NCC is “ The major flaw with the NCC concept as a pathway for higher honours, is that it will exclude a significant number of talented players, even contracted players, who don’t belong to the teams which make the cut.” Catchments! Tribalism! Staged Upward development of club players and coaches. Take the club tribes on trips about the country to see how other people live. Boost tourism. Kiss a bloke you screamed at on the hill during the bitter local derby. Make nasty enemies friends (temporarily) A few years ago I was speaking to a couple of Shute Shield players who were planning their next level allegiance. Players from one club were going to different ARC clubs (for coaches or convenience or reward, who knows?) Utterly unnecessary and tribalism down the toilet. We were standing in a heaving club bar post-game at the time. All that patronage/rugby support/ bums on seats – lost. And yes I remember the Nth Sth Harbour contests. Ray, you and I know it makes sense. Let’s feed the clubs, then structure it so that the club tribes feed the rest.
Terminator
Guest
Jeznez, If this makes you feel more comfortable with the concept of Super Rugby “A” squads, the NZ Super Rugby franchises have been doing this for years when NZ play other NZ teams. For example, the Crusaders developmental team is called the Crusader Knights, while the Highlanders developmental squad is called the Bravehearts. There games are played usually the day before the real team plays. An important note is that none of the 23 players named in the Crusaders squad are available to play for the Knights (player safety AND so the player can focus his preparation for one game only). The quality of the A games between development squads is the equivalent of Mitre 10. So, although an NRC would be preferred, weekly A development games between AU franchises is certainly a good plan B
Ray L
Roar Rookie
You took the words right out of my mouth Ken. I've been banging on about this now for some time and it's a principal reason why NRC has never caught on in Sydney and to a lesser extent in Brisbane. The single city teams in Canberra, Melbourne and Perth haven't been the problem. Even in the original ARC, I can recall attending a sold out North Sydney Oval of around 18 to 20,000 for a match between the Sydney Fleet and the Western Sydney Rams. It was a glimpse of what could be possible with a further tweaking of the team structures in Sydney and Brisbane. The difference with the ARC was that the 3 Sydney teams - the Central Coast Rays, the Sydney Fleet and the Western Sydney Rams - were based on regional representative teams in the North, South and West with the local Shute Shield clubs as feeders. It was effectively a modified reincarnation of the former annual North Harbour v South Harbour representative matches in the amateur era which were the stepping stone for City, State and National representation. These matches were televised and played in front of packed houses at North Sydney Oval. The Shute Shield never suffered as a result and although annual one off matches, they created that regional tribal following which has been missing in the NRC, because you followed your club representative players in your regional team rather than they being spread around. I can't speak for Brisbane, but the failure with the structure of the Sydney teams in the ARC was that for some inexplicable reason, the Central Coast Rays, supposedly representing the Northern Sydney SS clubs, was based in Gosford and the Sydney Fleet representing the Southern Sydney clubs was based at North Sydney Oval. They were at least correct in basing the Western Sydney Rams, representing West Harbour, Eastwood, Parramatta and Penrith at the then Parramatta Stadium. Just BTW, the Rams went on to qualify for the semi-finals. Where they got it wrong with the Sydney team structures in the ARC was in the identity of the teams, except for the Rams, and basing them in the wrong locations outside of their supporter base. This could have been corrected if the ARC wasn't prematurely cut after only one year. The same mistakes have been perpetuated in the NRC and in fact is even worse with players spread all over the place in artificially concocted teams supposedly representing Sydney and NSW Country and has no relevance to their origins. They are essentially NSW A and B teams without any clearly defined supporter base. It's little wonder that they didn't receive widespread interest and support such as that in the single team cities. As for future competition structures, much will depend upon the outcome of negotiations for a Trans-Tasman Super Rugby format. If that eventuates, then fine, but in the absence of an NRC style competition, even in the abbreviated state that it has been, it will be too big a leap in standard from an essentially amateur NCC to Super Rugby. The major flaw with the NCC concept as a pathway for higher honours, is that it will exclude a significant number of talented players, even contracted players, who don't belong to the teams which make the cut. Suggestions that they be drafted into the successful teams makes a mockery of the whole concept. Please just let it fade into oblivion. Some form of an NRC is an essential prerequisite to bridge the gap between the amateur and professional arms of the code. If TT Super Rugby doesn't get the seal of approval from our Kiwi cousins, then we have no alternative but to revert to plan B for our own domestic competition, which I'm becoming increasingly partial to. It still leaves the door open for an abbreviated Super 8 Champions League played over one round between the best of AU, NZ, SA and ARG, which is now my preferred format for Super Rugby. It will significantly reduce the cost of travel and accommodation as well as reducing travel fatigue for the players. I don't think a Super 8 Champions League works with a TT competition. I have already outlined my preferred concept for a wholly domestic competition previously, so I won't go into too much detail here. It is essentially a beefed up fully professional NRC to replace Super Rugby from March to June, playing home and away games with a finals series before the internationals in July (assuming that still continues). It will initially consist of 8 teams based in Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane North and South and Sydney North, South and West, with the Premier clubs in Brisbane and Sydney acting as feeders into their respective representative regional teams. This is more likely to create that missing tribal following in Brisbane and Sydney in a National competition. Further teams based on major regional centres could be added in the future. I don't see a place for a NSW v Qld State of Union/Origin concept in a truly National competition structure. We don't have to copy NRL. In this scenario, the Premier Rugby competitions would remain the 3rd tier, as they have been with Super Rugby, although they will lose some more of their best players to a professional NRC as they currently do to Super Rugby. This may go some way to allay the fears of the Premier clubs in Sydney and Brisbane in watering down their competitions, but I think it's an acceptable compromise in advancing the standard of AU Rugby. It also opens up opportunities for talented players, of which there are many, to advance through the club systems to higher honours. The importance of the Premier clubs won't be diminished.
Tight-Head
Roar Rookie
It’s a lot cheaper to run 5 super teams for the full year, with players needed for the super season already under contract, than all the nrc teams.
Guess
Roar Rookie
If ra don’t see a future for the nrc and fans want more established teams, why not have a purely domestic comp during the international season... Money?
Rhys
Roar Rookie
That's my thinking exactly, it just sounds pointless. My main gripe being that NSWvQLD Origin isolates a bunch of good players and is a blatant rip off of league.
AndyS
Guest
So if they were also playing an A program, both of those would also have to be club props as well. How would that all look in Club land...?
Tight-Head
Roar Rookie
If ra don’t see a future for the nrc and fans want more established teams, why not have a purely domestic comp during the international season using the super clubs? Call it Australia cup or something and play the same format as super rugby au, just with the internationals taken out. Keeps players who are in reserve for the wallabies playing a high standard, and with the actual international squad out the clubs will have to develop new players. This assumes a trans Tasman super comp in the first half of the year.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Exactly Hugh. If the comp is primarily a platform for player development/bridging/ testing, then we may as well attempt to harness regional tribalism. Ask players to play in their zones. In that way we might have a chance to funnel some tribalism upwards? Anyway, it may be a moot point because it seems we may not have such a tier now.
sheek
Roar Guru
Daniel, A NCC is fine, but it's not the most important concept we can come up with right now. It's basically a filler, an add-on, to fill up the show bags, as Alan Jones calls them.
sheek
Roar Guru
Jacko, That's because the ARC/NRC didn't look anything like a Currie Cup/NPC. For starters, the Currie Cup/NPC have provinces, not national clubs. Australia's rugby provinces are NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria & WA. For seconders, neither the ARC/NRC had the full support of the sporting community. You can fool the people most of the time, but not all the time. There were too many holes in the concept & structure of both ARC/NRC. Finally, even the administrators, ie, ARU/RA, didn't fully commit to either love child. They were never going to succeed because not enough people truly believed in them.