Saturday, September 29, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Players call for national club comp
Queensland Reds star Luke Morahan says Australian rugby needs a national club competition if the Wallabies are to remain competitive on the international scene.
The Wallabies' injury crisis and the performance of Australia's five provinces in this year's Super Rugby season has led to renewed calls for the creation of a third-tier competition so as to improve player depth.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU), under the guidance of then-chief executive Gary Flowers, introduced an eight-team Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) in 2007 but it was scrapped after one season because of financial reasons.
The ARC suffered a $4.7 million loss in its maiden year and it was forecast the competition would incur a further $3.3 million deficit in its second season.
The ARU, under the direction of current chief executive John O'Neill, declared at the time that continuing the ARC would be "an untenable financial risk".
This decision ignored the ARC's potential to aid player development similar to New Zealand's national provincial championships (NPC) and South Africa's Currie Cup.
Morahan says Australia needs a third-tier competition to sit below Test matches and Super Rugby if the Wallabies are to match their international rivals.
"Speaking to a few of them (players) about the ARC, the previous tournament, they seemed to enjoyed and say it was a good standard of football," he told Grandstand.
"I think if we were to progress rugby in Australia we need a competition like that, like the Currie Cup or the ITM Cup (NPC) in New Zealand."
Balmain Rugby Club, who competes in the New South Wales' suburban competitions, earlier this month revealed it was working on a proposal to establish a third-tier competition.
Twelve clubs, all privately owned, would be based in Sydney and Brisbane in its first season before consideration would be given to expanding the competition that would likely be held from late August to early October.
It would involve players not included in the Wallabies' Rugby Championship squad and $1 million in prize money would be on offer.
Morahan has not been approached in regard to Balmain's plans, but he says the creation of a national club competition has been spoken about amongst players.
"It's just been general chit-chat between players and saying they think it would be a good idea," he said.
"So that's as far as it's gone really."
The chance to play at the club level is something Morahan relishes, even though he has established himself in the Reds' starting XV in the past two seasons and made his Test debut against Scotland this year.
He will front up for University in Sunday's Queensland's Premier Rugby grand final against Sunnybank and admits he always welcomes the opportunity to play on the club scene.
"I enjoy all the boys there, they're all my mates," he said.
"So, it's something you can get back to and have a bit of fun and really express yourself, and have good fun."
Sunday's season decider at Ballymore is set to be an intriguing encounter, with both sides featuring internationals.
Aside from Morahan, University will have Mike Harris and former Wallabies squad member James Hanson in their starting XV, while the Dragons have been boosted by the inclusion of Rob Simmons and Ben Tapuai.
The Dragons also have 2009 Wallabies tourist Richard Kingi at full-back and former Australia prop Greg Holmes on their reserves bench.
Harris, Simmons and Tapuai have been granted temporary release from the Wallabies tour party to South Africa so they can play on Sunday and gain some match fitness.
Morahan says Harris' availability has been an added bonus for University, who qualified for the grand final by beating minor premiers Brothers 59-12 a fortnight ago.
"I think it's a boost for the whole team because he's in that playmaker role and he creates more opportunity and leads the team around a lot easier," he said.
"But Sunnybank have brought in Rob Simmons and Ben Tapuai, so they're boosted as well."
University is chasing its second premiership in three seasons, while the Dragons are defending their title.
Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000 First posted September 22, 2012 18:14:05Thursday, April 21, 2011
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The 2006 Rose Bowl National Championship
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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Sunday, April 17, 2011
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