Queensland rugby clubs’ concern over possible new national competition

Queensland’s top rugby clubs are all for a mooted national competition but have warned an arms race could cannibalise more than 100 years of history.

There are questoins about the impact of a new competition. Photo: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

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Queensland’s top rugby clubs are all for a mooted national competition but have warned an arms race could cannibalise more than 100 years of history.

Club rugby is set to be a big winner with a grassroots-to-Wallabies package to be offered when Rugby Australia’s broadcast rights go to tender in the next few days.

RA confirmed it had “investigated the establishment of a national club competition” but in a format that is yet to be determined.

The ramifications of creating a club competition meshing the nine Queensland Premier Rugby clubs, Sydney’s 11 Shute Shield clubs and interests in Canberra and Melbourne are far-reaching.

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There are questoins about the impact of a new competition. Photo: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

Finding a 2021 calendar slot is not the hard part because any new competition would replace the National Rugby Championship after regular club competitions are played.

The premise is the new comp will feature non-Test Super Rugby players and Wallabies not on duty.

Any two-division split is tricky because all clubs should have an initial shot at winning a spot in the top tier.

“Rugby has to be careful because the ‘Super Club’ scenario where strong teams thrive and three go broke can’t be what anyone wants,” University of Queensland president Michael Zaicek said.

“Creating an arms race where players are attracted to the stronger clubs is a warning that hasn’t be considered.

“Any competition idea has to have a strategy for clubs outside the top three or four in Brisbane and Sydney.

“I’d say there is an enormous amount of work to be done, even just thinking of the logistics regarding using coaches, physios, club doctors and fields for far longer.

“Uni is all up for the challenge as an elite club but we don’t want to see a club competition with over 100 years of wonderful history broken.”

Queensland University celebrate their grand final win. Photo: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

Based on last year’s standings, premiers Uni, grand finalists Brothers, GPS and Easts would be the first four Brisbane clubs invited into a national competition.

“The final competition format will not be determined until further consultation with the successful broadcaster, the State and Territory member unions, and the clubs,” an RA statement said.

RA boss Raelene Castle said she expected long-time broadcast partner Fox Sports would re-enter the broadcast rights process while Optus is expected to be the other big player.

Former Wallaby Anthony Herbert, president of 2018 premiers GPS, said getting the right national club competition format was everything.

“There’s been method to the NRC in terms of putting players in a more professional environment but I’ve said from the start that a tribal club comp is what works best for fans,” Herbert said.

“Club footy is in a strong place in Brisbane and we don’t want to hear the same old dialogue that Sydney clubs deserve the majority of spots in any national competition.”

■ The Queensland Reds are likely to pick experienced prop Dave Feao on the bench for the clash against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning (Qld time).