Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said that backed by pay TV dollars, a new third-tier competition in Australia can "last forever," according to Iain Payten of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Pulver's optimism came on Tuesday as he launched the National Rugby Championship: "a 8-10 team development competition to start in late August." Expressions of interest are being sought for teams, "but the model looks to mirror the 2007 Australian Rugby Championship: sides from Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, two from Brisbane and three from Sydney." Unlike the ARC, however, which was scrapped after one year due to losses of almost A$5M ($4.5M) for the ARU, Pulver said that "a two-year sponsorship deal with Foxtel and Fox Sports will cover the ARU's costs and ensure the cash-strapped national body is not exposed." Fox Sports "will broadcast one game a week and the finals series." Pulver said, "Clearly, in an environment where the ARU's contribution is essentially funded by this sponsorship relationship, and we will only be seeking expressions of interest from clubs and groups of clubs and individuals who have the financial wherewithal ... to participate in this competition, that's why we think it should be financially sound. I think this competition will be in place forever" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 12/10).
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE: In Sydney, Bret Harris wrote when something seems too good to be true, "it usually is." But if the numbers add up, Pulver "will deliver a stunning outcome for Australian rugby." The key to the deal is the support of Fox Sports and Foxtel, which between them are believed to have covered the estimated A$3M cost of running the venture, "while the ARU is in deep discussions with a prospective major naming rights sponsor." Fox Sports' million-dollar investment in the NRC "was motivated in part by the hope that it will help it to maintain exclusive rights to Super Rugby in the face of possible free-to-air competition when the ARU renegotiates its broadcast deal next year" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/11).
SETTNG THE SCHEDULE: Also in Sydney, David Sygall wrote negotiations with Shute Shield and Premier Rugby representatives in Sydney and Brisbane "had succeeded in reaching agreement to finish the club season in time to allow the national championship to start in mid-August, with finals around November." Matches "will be played at smaller stadiums with broadcast capacity, many of which are available in that window." Pulver said the championship would feature some "really interesting concepts," including "innovative new rules." Pulver said that state players "would be required to play" with participation covered under current ARU contracts. The National Rugby Championship Commission "has been established to develop the concept, including the touchy issue of player distribution," but Pulver said that "he wanted local players heavily involved." Pulver: "The long-term objective is to create a player development pathway for all the major regions in Australia. You've got to create a player development pathway from five-year-old kids all the way to the Force and all the way to the Wallabies" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 12/10).
