New teams, Origin clashes and five principles to keep the game thriving: The Roar

Australian rugby’s international success is based on intelligence, not brawn.

Here are five principles I propose as common sense for a new initiative: ‘Super Rugby Downunder’.

Firstly, a clear separation between the supervision of ‘amateur/foundation’ rugby and ‘professional/elite’ rugby.

Secondly, we must make the game as attractive, inclusive and safe as possible for players and fans.

Third, only one professional league.

Fourth, limit costs.

Fifth, never again let the Wallabies be responsible for the popularity, viability or sustainability of rugby (an extremely stupid strategy).

The first principle requires state and territory bodies to relinquish the roles they have in overseeing professional rugby. Their roles can then focus exclusively on clubs and schools.

Rugby Australia would be responsible for both contracting and funding all player salaries; with ultimate control over the distribution of players between the ‘provinces’ of Super Rugby Downunder. Rugby Australia would also be responsible for coaching appointments and fees at provincial level (and maintaining a national coaching/referring academy). While state and territory bodies would no longer control players’ progression into pro rugby, they would now be under pressure to perform (or risk being replaced in their remaining roles by ‘new provinces’).

The 2nd principle (‘attractive rugby’) is made possible by the 3rd (‘our own comp’). Rugby Downunder can dispense with European laws that have degraded southern rugby. Stuff legal evolution: The culture should be ‘try this – if it doesn’t work, drop it’. Oz becomes the world’s trialist.

A balanced domestic comp cannot have teams for Queensland or New South Wales. The inaugural comp should consist of teams that are foreseeable, as the long-term DNA for Australian pro rugby. Exception: Once comp is proven, full DFAT funding of a Pacific Island team?

Eight teams play three rounds. One home game. One away game. Optional location for third game. 21 week season, plus two weekends for the semi-finals and grand final. Total 23 weeks.

Fix the Giteau rule. Select whoever they want, wherever they play. But players lose their right to Wallaby if they sign a contract that obliges them to play an offshore game before their 26th birthday (or if the contract does not guarantee their availability for selection by the Wallabies).

Solve the Pay-TV/Free-to-Air conundrum. Geographic segmentation of matches: Free-to-Air viewers are given access to ‘away’ matches for the teams that best reflect their location. The broadcasts end with players inviting viewers to attend the next home match, or to watch it on Pay-TV.

It would be foolish to ignore the success of State of Origin. Run the rugby version the same way – during the week during the regular season. Show three different games. Queensland v New South Wales; Queensland v Aussie Barbarians (ACT/NT/SA/Tas/Vic/WA); New South Wales v Aussie Barbarians. Run in weeks immediately following NRL State of Origin games.

The selection of ‘State of Origin’ players would rest with the Wallaby Selectors. Coaches would be appointed by the underlying province (of a given home state team), which would then be highest on the Rugby Downunder ladder (the appointment of a Brumbies coach would be for the Barbarians). The Wallaby coach is responsible for announcing ‘what rules’ apply for that year’s home state.

There are no additional fees paid for playing/coaching State of Origin in Super Rugby Downunder.

Indicative teams for Super Rugby Downunder:

Sydney Dragons (emblem: native water dragon) mainly plays from Moore Park. Represents the Eastern Suburbs, Sutherland Shire, Inner Sydney to Old Canterbury Road. North Sydney Bears (emblem: dignified Blinky Bill in rugby outfit) mainly plays from North Sydney Oval. Represents Sydney north of the harbor to the Lane Cove River catchment. Western Sydney Magpies who play mainly from Parramatta Stadium represent all others.

The Australian Brumbies, training in Canberra: “Welcome, representative of the Australian Capital Territory; and the north, south and central coasts of New South Wales, the Hunter Valley, the Illawarra, every New South Wales man and woman living west of the Divide; the Brumbies!”.

(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Brisbane City Kings (emblem: ’15-pointed-coronet’-atop-‘XV’), playing mainly from Suncorp Stadium. Representing Brisbane and Morton Bay Local Government Areas (Brisbane’s ‘outer LGAs’ are excluded).

The Bulls (the symbol of Queenslander – Red Brahman/Droughtmaster cattle) training at Ballymore: “A warm welcome to all residents of the Northern Territories; and Queenslanders from Redcliffe to Cape York, from Bundaberg to Birdsville, from Cunnamulla to Surfers Paradise; the Bulls!”

The justification for teams in Perth and Melbourne remains largely the TV audience. Should they embrace the rest of Oz: ‘Southern Cross Sharks’ for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania?

Align all foreign recruitment for Rugby Downunder teams on a basis consistent with tribalism. For example: Only Africans in Perth; Only Islanders in Melbourne; Only JRL players in Canberra.

Apply the five principles and watch rugby flourish.