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Quite a different commentary from the Spirit vs Rams result last week. The NRC is an opportunity for new players to get exposure to the next level of rugby, which is what the Spirit have done. I'm sure Kevin Foote has a plan here, and it'll all be good.
Having said that, the coverage and commentating seriously needs to be looked at. Hoiles and McMahon are shocking, they come across as not having a clue what they're talking about and are so un-impartial it's not entertaining to watch the game because of them. Considering the NRC is supposed to be our equivalent of the Currie Cup or Mitre 10 Cup, Foxtel has a long way to go before they're up to scratch and have a lot to answer for.
I'm a bit worried what's happening with the IPRC though, the ARU seem to be stalling to take momentum out. We should have had a decision whether they would support the competition by now. I don't think the ARU appreciate how much they actually need the IPRC, and I hope that Andrew Forrest is trying to find a way out by looking for ways he could go overseas for support if he can't get it from the ARU. From the rugby in the weekend, I'm not sure how appealing Drew Mitchell's idea of a next level down competition featuring Sydney club rugby would be to the wider public. I could only think of it as a very expensive way to not really grow the game much. Australia needs more higher level rugby, and only the IPRC can offer that.
I could tell you how appealing Sydney club rugby is to the wider public....but this is a family friendly forum![]()
The long sobs of autumn's violins wound my heart with a monotonous languor
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
The ARU have got more problems to worry about then Twiggy.'m a bit worried what's happening with the IPRC though, the ARU seem to be stalling to take momentum out. We should have had a decision whether they would support the competition by now. I don't think the ARU appreciate how much they actually need the IPRC, and I hope that Andrew Forrest is trying to find a way out by looking for ways he could go overseas for support if he can't get it from the ARU.
- Covering up insider trading allegations
- Being better prepared for getting fried in Round Two by Senator Reynolds
- Funding their Rebels who are still coachless
You could argue it has mobilised existing support as club games used to get that many to matches in the early 90s.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Yes Ex, and with the most respect I can only comment on what I see and where I see it.
From that point of view, Sydney club rugby looks to be picking up a small percentage of fair weather fans in a limited and already saturated market,.
But that's the issue with perspective isn't it?
C'mon the![]()
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Absolutely GIGS
I think the proof will be in the attendance numbers of the 2018 Season. Personally - I think Australian Rugby across the country will see a rise in attendance at Club Rugby matches. I hope that the attendance spike trickles down to the lower grades of Club Rugby. I know a little club in Western Sydney that could do with an increase in canteen revenue.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
To be clear, I have nothing against Sydney club rugby per se, and an glad they have had an increase in attendance this year. They are appealing to their support base, providing something. Great
What I DO have issue with is conflating this into something it is not...it has nothing to do with anything outside Sydney (arguably including Penwiff etc), nothing to do with professional rugby, not up to even third tier, and has been used extensively to redirect attention, funding and player participation in local comps from Brumbies and Force.
The long sobs of autumn's violins wound my heart with a monotonous languor
Absolutely when Canberra and Newcastle were in the Sydney comp they were expected to field five grade sides and three sides which was ludicrous as it would have decimated their local club comps. The Sydney clubs also whinged about the travel as they travelling past Parramatta once or twice a season.
Hi guys,
Does anyone know when it was first mooted by SANZAR that it wanted to expand from 15 to 18? I'm assuming it was sometime in late 2014 as the TV broadcast agreement was due to expire in 2015 and they would have needed to plan ahead (I assume!).
If anyone knows the year and month they first saw stuff in the media about it, that would be awesome!
Thanks all
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
It was announced in May 2014 - https://www.ausleisure.com.au/news/s...teams-in-2016/
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...2e7-1506386238