NRC returns to grassroots with streamlined 2018 structure
A SHREWD switch to hosting matches at grassroots clubs and regional grounds is a feature of the new National Rugby Championship draw.
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A SHREWD switch to hosting matches at grassroots clubs and regional grounds is a feature of the new National Rugby Championship draw.
The NSW Rugby Union has almost been embarrassed into admitting that the centre of the Australian rugby universe is not, by right, in Sydney.
The three Sydney-centric clubs missed the semi-finals of the inaugural NRC in 2014 and last year’s devolution to two clubs did not produce a top four team either.
Along the way, the Sydney Stars (2015) and Sydney Rays (2016) have reached the semi-finals and the NSW Country Eagles, another pool of Sydney players, had a grand run to the 2016 grand final in Tamworth.
The positive call to streamline simply to one “Sydney” team has instant upsides.
The new-look Sydney side will run out in the traditional Sydney representative colours of blue and gold.
The famous anchor logo will reappear on the jersey as it was worn when the Sydney representative side had the prominence of NSW in the ‘70s and early 80s.
Beating Wales 18-16 in 1978 with a late Laurie Monaghan field goal and a 13-all draw with the All Blacks in 1980 were among the many highlights of Sydney’s golden era.
The reforming of Sydney instantly reignites the traditional derby with NSW Country and also Brisbane City.
The Sydney-Country clash is scheduled for the opening round on a Wednesday night, September 19, at Leichhardt Oval and will be live on Fox Sports from 7pm.
Sydney will play home games at Leichhardt Oval, Woollahra Oval and Concord Oval.
In Queensland, Brisbane City’s regular season home games will take place at Norths Rugby Club, Wests Rugby Club and Easts Rugby Club rather than Ballymore.
The City opener against the Western Force will be played at Norths’ Courtney Oval on September 2 as a family-friendly 3pm Sunday game.
Queensland Country will play home games at Bond University Rugby Club, Mike Carney Toyota Park in Townsville and BB Print Stadium in Mackay.
The NRC has streamlined to a seven-round, eight-club format.
Champions Queensland Country travel to the nation’s capital to face Canberra Vikings at 5pm on September 1 in the opening round, a repeat of last year’s NRC grand final.
On September 30, Brisbane City will face Queensland Country for the Andy Purcell Cup at Wests Rugby Club in another 3pm Sunday fixture.
“We saw the benefits last year of taking these games to our clubs and we are placing an even greater emphasis on that this year, particularly in relation to our regional games,” said Sam Cordingley, the Queensland Rugby Union’s general manager of Professional Rugby.
“Our clubs do an outstanding job in developing players and coaches in Queensland and fans will have even greater opportunity this year to support our two teams in their own backyard.”
Wallaby squad members will be released for NRC duty during The Rugby Championship to play alongside some of the nation’s rising club rugby stars.
“Being accessible to the community is the key to the success of the NRC and it is great to see many teams take the initiative to spread their home matches around,” Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said.
The Western Force will fly the flag in the west.
*FOX SPORTS is the only place to watch every game of the NRC with no ad-breaks during play. Two games per week will be broadcast on TV, with the remaining two games available to stream LIVE via foxsports.com.au/live and the FOX SPORTS App.
2018 NATIONAL RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW
ROUND ONE
Saturday 1 September
Fiji Drua v Melbourne Rising, Nausori, Ratu Cakobau Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Canberra Vikings v Queensland Country, Canberra, Viking Park, 5.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sunday 2 September
Brisbane City v Western Force, Brisbane, Norths Rugby Club, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Wednesday 19 September*
Sydney v NSW Country, Sydney, Leichhardt Oval, 7.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
ROUND TWO
Saturday 8 September
Fiji Drua v Brisbane City, Lautoka, Churchill Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sydney v Canberra Vikings, Sydney, Concord Oval, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sunday 9 September
Queensland Country v Melbourne Rising, Townsville, Mike Carney Park, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Western Force v NSW Country Eagles, Perth, UWA Sports Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
ROUND THREE
Saturday 15 September
Sydney v Brisbane City, Sydney, Woollahra Oval, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
NSW Country v Melbourne Rising, Mudgee, Glen Willow Sports Stadium, 1.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Queensland Country v Fiji Drua, Mackay, BB Print Stadium, 1.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sunday 16 September
Canberra Vikings v Western Force, Canberra, Viking Park, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
ROUND FOUR
Saturday 22 September
Melbourne Rising v Brisbane City, Adelaide, Bailey Reserve, 12.30pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Queensland Country v Western Force, Gold Coast, Bond University, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sunday 23 September
NSW Country Eagles v Canberra Vikings, Armidale, UNE Bellevue Oval, 1.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sydney v Fiji Drua, Sydney, Concord Oval, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
ROUND FIVE
Saturday 29 September
Fiji Drua v NSW Country Eagles, Nausori, Ratu Cakobau Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Canberra Vikings v Melbourne Rising, Canberra, Viking Park, 7.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sunday 30 September
Brisbane City v Queensland Country, Toowong, Wests Rugby Club, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Western Force v Sydney, Perth, UWA Sports Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
ROUND SIX
Saturday 6 October
Fiji Drua v Canberra Vikings, Lautoka, Churchill, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Queensland Country v Sydney, Gold Coast, Bond University, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sunday 7 October
NSW Country Eagles v Brisbane City, Camden, Camden Rugby Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Melbourne Rising v Western Force, Geelong, GMHBA Stadium, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
ROUND SEVEN
Saturday 13 October
NSW Country v Queensland Country, Tamworth, Scully Park, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Western Force v Fiji Drua, Perth, UWA Sports Park, 2.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Sunday 14 October
Melbourne Rising v Sydney, Ballarat, St Patrick’s School, 1.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS
Brisbane City v Canberra Vikings, Coorparoo, Easts Rugby Club, 2.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS
SEMI FINALS
Saturday 20 October
1st v 4th
Sunday 21 October
2nd v 3rd
FINAL
Saturday 27 October.
All times are local.
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