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QRU chairman's plan for new comp
30th January 2008, 11:15 WST
Queensland Rugby Union chairman Peter Lewis has proposed a five-team national club competition to replace the controversially-scrapped Australian Rugby Championship.
The eight-team ARC was an instant on-field success in its inaugural season last year but was scrapped because of the cost.
Designed to bridge the gap between Super 14 and club rugby and also provide a better player pathway, the third-tier competition delivered on both counts but the Australian Rugby Union found it unsustainable.
While ARU supremo John O'Neill has indicated the ARC will not be replaced in another form in 2008, Lewis wants the concept continued and believes a streamlined alternative would cut the costs and provide the desired results.
The outspoken QRU chairman proposes a competition fought out on city lines with teams from Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth doing battle, probably over two complete rounds.
"The teams will represent state capitals rather than be hybrid teams with no tribal following," Lewis said.
"Most of these teams would be made up of players already being paid by their state franchises, with a good smattering of the best club players looking for a contract.
"This, alone, will save a fortune.
"In time, as success grows, new teams could be added."
Such a plan would see less club players exposed to the third-tier but the teams could effectively be run by their state unions.
The main difficulties would be the travel expenses of Perth and assembling a Melbourne team without the support of a Super 14 "big brother".
The Melbourne Rebels were the surprise packets of the ARC, losing the final to the Central Coast Rays when they were widely tipped to finish as wooden spooners, and would have to rely on the aid of interstate teams for quality personnel.
Lewis said the fundamental flaws of the ARC were the player payments, red ink and "it was thrown together with undue haste and unfounded optimism".
"That said, the competition, i.e. the rugby, was great and it was a genuine pathway between club and professional rugby," he said.
"As I understand it, the ARU is to consult with all parties soon on an alternative competition, in the interests of a fruitful outcome."
Other alternative plans speculated have included a competition involving the leading club teams from Brisbane and Sydney plus a Canberra side, as well as a four-team round robin featuring the Super 14 sides less their Wallabies.
But O'Neill, who on Tuesday painted a bleak picture of the code, insisted a new ARC-style competition was not on the immediate horizon.
"I have to say it's not a priority," he said.
"The priorities at the moment are at a higher level - the Wallabies and Super rugby."
AAP
Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
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