Yes. Went sort of semi pro for a while but that has been changed by regulation.
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I was just trying to highlight the arrogant assumption that there was only one rugby competition feeding players into super rugby.
Subbies might not add to the Sr rugby ranks very often (if ever) but it's at least a possibility. Perhaps I should have chosen the schoolboys comps as the subject of my hyperbole, because they are quite a large contributor.
Case and point right there - that's the attitude of a lot of the players and power brokers at the ARU. they seem to think the NRC devalues their competition - even though there was no way the Shute shield could be financially viable of it was expanded into a national competition. It's the old Boys looking out for the old boys... (similar parallels could be made about federal parliament... but I digress)
I don't blame Phipps personally though. There isn't room enough in his tiny tiny brain to remember all the competitions.
Interesting quote from the boss of RUPA in this article:
Fiji to join National Rugby Championship in bid to shake 'poor cousin' tag
"Who knows, maybe this Fijian NRC side can be the incubator for a professional Pacific Islands team to play Super Rugby in 2018, alongside the Sunwolves and the 10 Australian and New Zealand teams in a 12-team competition."