Roar Rookie
Opinion
There have been many Australian rugby fans clamouring for a return of the NRC, which realistically from a financial perspective is not going to happen in the short term.
However, what has been mooted is a potential domestic competition with the existing domestic Australian franchises, which surely has to be explored.
Bringing back the Australia A programme is a step in the right direction.
However following the Pacific Nations Cup tournament in Fiji, there needs to be a platform for the players on the cusp of Wallabies selection to continue to develop at a standard higher than club rugby.
A domestic competition with the five already established Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchises without their Wallabies players would be an excellent developmental opportunity in a high performance environment and a chance for teams to develop cohesion ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
There will be a freshness next year with new head coaches at the Brumbies and Waratahs, and Darren Coleman and Kevin Foote only just finishing their first season as head coach.
The chance for the coaches to analyse their squad and look at prospects for next year can only be a good thing.
The Junior Wallabies could also enter a squad into the competition in preparation for the 2023 Junior World Cup.
Following the 2019 tournament, a number of the Junior Wallabies finalists credited the NRC and playing against senior players as a reason why they were so prepared ahead of the tournament.
Failing this, then the Fijian Drua or Moana Pasifika franchises could be considered or even an Australian Barbarians team with club rugby players could enter to fill out the teams.
Following the success of the Waratahs playing at Leichhardt Oval, this should also be the blueprint for a domestic competition playing at regional grounds across the states.
Another option is that each state rotates hosting all matches over a weekend to make a festival of rugby.
These are all ideas but it should be a chance to engage with the local population.
There will of course be costs for this tournament and therefore additional finances are required from Rugby Australia.
But without a doubt it would prove to be an incredible developmental tool for Australian players that can reap benefits on the field as we move into an exciting decade of rugby union in Australia.