Brothers rugby coach backs rival’s plan for FNQ’s 2020 season

Brothers coach Sven Schafer has backed a rival coach’s call for FNQ Rugby to run with a one-grade season when they can return to the field this year.

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Brothers coach Sven Schafer has backed a rival coach’s call for FNQ Rugby to run with a one-grade season when they can return to the field this year.

FNQ Rugby officials are keeping a close eye on government restrictions and advice from the state and national bodies, though have already declared they could run a season as soon as they receive the green light.

Earlier this week, Mudcrabs coach Russell Todd called for the governing body to consider running a one-grade competition.

He also called for clubs with too much depth to release those players to others struggling for numbers, saying

“I’m a believer in a two-grade system but there’s more importance on playing rugby this year,” Todd said.

“If FNQ Rugby does go for one team per club, you’d like to think a few clubs with too many players for one team would allow them to play elsewhere so they can play.”

Schafer backed Todd’s comments, as discussion continues as to what the FNQ Rugby season could look like in 2020.

Though he conceded it is difficult to work through plans without a hard deadline for the resumption of the 15-man code.

Rugby Australia’s suspended all rugby activity until at least June 1, though the state governments will ultimately decide when they can return to the field.

The Queensland Government indicated Friday that non-contact training in small groups of no more than 10 people could resume from this Saturday.

That determination could open the door for club members to start fitness training.

Gathering limits would lift to 20 next month, with the potential for full-contact community sport to resume from July 10, albeit with a gathering limit of 100 people to be observed.

The guidelines indicate competition could resume as early as July 10, but Schafer warned players needed the type of training which could only be done from that date.

“Structure and contact is the stuff we really need to work on,” he said.

“Lineouts, scrums, tackling, rucks, the stuff that gets the game moving.

“A few options have been put out there for long and short seasons, but it’s tough without having that solid date.”

Originally published as Brothers rugby coach backs rival’s plan for FNQ’s 2020 season