Fiji will join NRC in 2017, Super Rugby looms

[beige]

If that's a national 2nd XV, I wonder if that means the players will get a cap and confirm Fijian eligibility?

Nope they have to play against a test team or another national 2nd XV.

[Kalahard]

There is still a lot of antagonism towards the NRC in Sydney Clubland. Dunno about Qld. Perhaps this (and maybe Samoa/Tonga next) is just what is needed to give the thing a kick along in those areas.

The Sydney clubs are softening their stance towards the NRC. The Rams in Western Sydney drove a lot of the Pacific Islander theme rounds and activities. It will continue to get support as long as the quality of the competition keeps improving. Im just glad the ARU is sticking to its guns and not pandering to archaic ideologies of the established strongholds.

[AndyS]

If the Sydney clubs manage to get their heads around how the NRC can benefit them, I expect it will all become their idea before too long.

[GIGS20]

they hate the fact the Shute Shield isn't seen as the major wallaby pathway anymore.

Too true,

On Rugby 360 this week, Nick Phipps suggested that the NRC filled the Gap between Shute Shield and Super Rugby...I guess being from New South Wales, he doesn't realise there is a Qld Premier Rugby/Pindan Premier League, Dewar Shield, ACT Club Rugby or even SA Club Rugby.

No wonder they see themselves as the major nursery for rugby talent in Australia, they don't even credit the existence of Sydney Subbies.

[maelkann]

Too true,

On Rugby 360 this week, Nick Phipps suggested that the NRC filled the Gap between Shute Shield and Super Rugby...I guess being from New South Wales, he doesn't realise there is a Qld Premier Rugby/Pindan Premier League, Dewar Shield, ACT Club Rugby or even SA Club Rugby.

No wonder they see themselves as the major nursery for rugby talent in Australia, they don't even credit the existence of Sydney Subbies.

Isn't Subbies both a lower standard than Shute Shield, as well as non professional?

[shasta]

Isn't Subbies both a lower standard than Shute Shield, as well as non professional?

Yes. Went sort of semi pro for a while but that has been changed by regulation.

[GIGS20]

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.

[jono]

Too true,

On Rugby 360 this week, Nick Phipps suggested that the NRC filled the Gap between Shute Shield and Super Rugby...I guess being from New South Wales, he doesn't realise there is a Qld Premier Rugby/Pindan Premier League, Dewar Shield, ACT Club Rugby or even SA Club Rugby.

No wonder they see themselves as the major nursery for rugby talent in Australia, they don't even credit the existence of Sydney Subbies.

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.

[chibi]

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."

[Tonkar]

Too true,

On Rugby 360 this week, Nick Phipps suggested that the NRC filled the Gap between Shute Shield and Super Rugby...I guess being from New South Wales, he doesn't realise there is a Qld Premier Rugby/Pindan Premier League, Dewar Shield, ACT Club Rugby or even SA Club Rugby.

No wonder they see themselves as the major nursery for rugby talent in Australia, they don't even credit the existence of Sydney Subbies.

Phipps was just looking for a medical 15 to field in the shute shield

[blueandblack]

Interesting quote from the boss of RUPA in this article:

...

Very