Robbie Deans says Australian rugby needs Sheffield Shield style comp

Robbie Deans says Australian rugby needs Sheffield Shield style comp
By Grey Morris
October 19, 2009 Wallabies coach Robbie Deans wants rugby union in Australia to adopt cricket's tried and true Sheffield Shield competition format.

In Darwin to conduct a coaching clinic and host a junior fundraiser for Territory rugby, Deans said the lack of a strong domestic competition was hurting international results.

"There's no doubt it's a big contributing factor, with the biggest example of what can be done being cricket and the Sheffield Shield," he said.

"It's probably the best domestic competition in the world and they pump out the best players in the world as a result.

"So we need a format of some sort, even if it's an abbreviated format of post-club rugby.

"That will give club players something to aspire to beyond their competitions and a chance to meet and compete with the country's contracted players."

Deans' native New Zealand boasts three divisions of domestic rugby, from which contracted international players are drawn.

"To do something similar here you would need an interstate competition of some sort, even if it was club-based," Deans said.

"So it wouldn't matter where you live in Australia, you would have an opportunity to aspire to a higher level.

"And it would make the contracted players accountable, when now contracts are a bit of a given - blokes know they are contracted for next year before they've even played this year."

Deans and the Wallabies embark on a grand slam tour of the United Kingdom in November when they play England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

On the way, they will play New Zealand in a Bledisloe Cup match in Tokyo.

Australia will have Rocky Elsom (captain) and Berrick Barnes (his deputy) as their leaders, part of Deans' plans to change the leadership group.

"There's been a significant evolution of players, in fact two thirds of the group are effectively in year one of Test rugby," he said.

Smart man is Dingo...

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Originally Posted by Burgs

Smart man is Dingo...

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Yeah. I wonder why nobody else thought of that?

Fortunately for him, he doesn't have to pay the bills. :S

I'm sure they can think of something less expensive than the last one...

Look how many good players were uncovered by the ARC. Deans is right we need this additional tier of Rugby to Develop Players
The ARC failed due to costs and the Sydney and Brisbane Comps complaining about how it affected them.
How about for the good of Austarlian Rugby the NSWRU & QLDRU take a look at this instead of trying to protect the existing competitions which is not developing enough players for Australia to compete internationally.
If supported by all stakeholders I believe that it could work and not be such a financial drain as the ARC was.
Surely One HD would like some live sport content which could also help finacially.

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Originally Posted by blue

Look how many good players were uncovered by the ARC. Deans is right we need this additional tier of Rugby to Develop Players
The ARC failed due to costs and the Sydney and Brisbane Comps complaining about how it affected them.
How about for the good of Austarlian Rugby the NSWRU & QLDRU take a look at this instead of trying to protect the existing competitions which is not developing enough players for Australia to compete internationally.
If supported by all stakeholders I believe that it could work and not be such a financial drain as the ARC was.
Surely One HD would like some live sport content which could also help finacially.

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actually champ the QRU was in support of the competition... but hey dont let the facts get in the way

You mean NSW screwed Australian rugby for it's own gain? Surely not!

All new endeavours are a financial drain to begin with. The ARU should have stuck with it instead of tossing it away

Wonder what would happen if the ARU said to the NSWRU, QRU, ACTRU, VRU and RWA, "Right you lot, it is going to happen. You can have two teams each under your control, they can be located anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. You can have "X" non S15 eligible players. Oh, and you are to run your respective state comp from the takings and any sponsorships you can muster because we aren't forking out anything more until you sort it out."
Turn the onus back on the states to make a viable comp without being propped up. You would see NSW wanting to make a deal with say the ACT and Vic to try and get two extra teams and profit share and perhaps the QRU striking a deal with RWA for a share deal on the Gold Coast etc.
Never happen but perhaps it should.

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Originally Posted by Burgs

Wonder what would happen if the ARU said to the NSWRU, QRU, ACTRU, VRU and RWA, "Right you lot, it is going to happen.

Never happen but perhaps it should.

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Actually Burgs, I don't think it really matters what you put after the first statement the second statement is true.

What this sort of initiative needs is some strong leadership from the ARU, I understand the difficulties much od this would cause to a (well established) Shute Shield or QRU club comp......that's why the respective unions will resist it. I would guess that anything that fits for Qld is likely not to fit for NSW and vice versa, and like as not any agreement those two could hammer out which is a fair compromise probably wouldn't work for the other unions.

ARU needs to accept that we're not going to develop talent any better than we currently are until the structure changes. that will involve some cost (inevitably) and some high powered toe-stomping. The sooner this is done, the better for Australia's international rugby future!