PERTH SPIRIT RETURNS FOR NATIONAL RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

[Alison]

I have a lot of respect for Brett McKay - definitely one of the most thorough and scrupulous journos around (in my experience).

Bring it on :-))

[jono]

Can't find the squad anywhere, does anyone know who's in it

We will when it's announced

[jargan83]

We will when it's announced

Competition will have finished by time that happens

[GIGS20]

6 or 7 weeks until the season starts and still nothing has been confirmed and the ARU wonders why they're going broke.

My big worry is the fact that apparently it's not so much RugbyWA being cautious, but the ARU gagging them. Why then can the NSW teams get big stories on Fox with huge hoopla about how they're structured and who will play for them? It seems typically myopic and self-centered in my view. I hope we can get a great squad together with a good coach who can show these powder puff nancy boys how to play rugby.

[oxleymoron]

Its the other way Gigs - RWA are waiting until Force are finished in S15 before making any announcements re NRC. There is only one focus at hq this week.

[DazloT]

Its the other way Gigs - RWA are waiting until Force are finished in S15 before making any announcements re NRC. There is only one focus at hq this week.

That is pretty much what Sinderberry said at a members huddle a few weeks ago.

[GIGS20]

Its the other way Gigs - RWA are waiting until Force are finished in S15 before making any announcements re NRC. There is only one focus at hq this week.

I was referring to the implication in the article that it's not all by choice.

[Nic]

Here we go again, it's all about the bloody jumper and black n gold hoops, seriously, do you really care as long as we get to see more rugby

Chuffed about the rugby. But yes, if there's a choice about the jersey design - I would prefer the 2007 style one

[travelling_gerry]

The NSW Country Eagles hosting the Greater Sydney Rams at Coogee Oval will be the opening National Rugby Championship fixture in Sydney next month.

It’s been glacial in the making but the NRC draw is almost complete, and is set to be released next week ahead of a kick-off date of August 21.

A draft fixture list spied by this column had some eyebrow raising elements, including a return of rugby to Adelaide, a Test curtain raiser and a big old sidestep of the AFL and NRL Grand Finals.

But the most curious was what appeared to be an opening round between August 21-23 without any games in Sydney.

Brisbane will host the Sydney Stars in the TV game on Thursday, August 21, followed the North Harbour Rays playing at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Friday night (August 22). Canberra play Perth at home and the NSW Country Eagles were down to play the Rams at a TBC regional venue.

Perhaps sensing no games in Australia’s biggest rugby market wasn’t wise, it’s understood the Randwick connection for the Eagles kicked in and the game has been moved to Coogee.

Other news? Perth will host the Rams at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on September 6, the Stars will play at Leichhardt Oval and the Rays at Brookvale Oval. The Rams are being linked to Parramatta Stadium again.

Queensland Country may host the Rays as a curtain raiser to the Wallabies-Argentina Test on the Gold Coast on September 13.

All games on the NRL’s Sunday Grand Final will be played on the Saturday, and all games will be on Sunday to also avoid a clash with the AFL’s GF.

Not all clubs will host TV games, either: only Brisbane, the Rams, the Rays, Melbourne and Qld Country in the first five rounds.

After that the TV games will be decided by Fox Sports and the NRC Commission.

[RugbyRef]

Spirit in Adelaide???

[travelling_gerry]

ROAD TRIP!!!

[travelling_gerry]

Its the day of the Perth Test. Not a bad idea actually.

[GIGS20]

Did anybody catch Paddy Dellit's name linked with NSW country on Rugby HQ last night?

Clever move by RugbyWA

[jargan83]

New completion and the first home game for the WA side is interstate?

Ridiculous.

[GAFFA]

Did anybody catch Paddy Dellit's name linked with NSW country on Rugby HQ last night?

Clever move by RugbyWA

What to get rid of him?