Australia Announce New Domestic Tournament

Australian Rugby Union have today announced that they will launch a new domestic competition in 2014, the National Rugby Championship.

The ARU hope the competition will enhance the pathway to develop elite players, coaches and match officials, with the inaugural competition to run from August to October next year; complementing the Premier Rugby competitions in Sydney and Queensland.

Chief Executive of the ARU, Bill Pulver, said the competition is a “major vote of confidence in Australian Rugby.

"This competition, which will include 8-10 teams from major population centres from across Australia, will also offer the opportunity to introduce innovative rules to the game to improve the spectacle for our fans.

"The National Rugby Championship will run annually at the end of Super Rugby and club rugby seasons from August to October as a way of complementing existing competitions such as the important Premier Rugby competitions in Sydney and Queensland.

"This new competition will be a tremendous opportunity for rugby fans to support teams from across the country in a local competition that we hope will rival New Zealand's ITM Cup and South Africa's Currie Cup at a time of year when there is little local rugby being played."

Pulver said the tournament's teams could be drawn from existing clubs or joint ventures between several sides. The teams will be confirmed by February 2014.

"I'd like to acknowledge the support shown by stakeholders and club competitions across the country, particularly in Sydney and Queensland, where Premier Rugby competitions are working to schedule their seasons to avoid any scheduling clashes with the National Rugby Championship," added Pulver.

"We will continue to work with stakeholders at all levels of Rugby, including at club level, to further improve the vital role they play to create elite players."

The competition’s predecessor, the Australian Rugby Championship, was thrown on the scrapheap after just one season; however, Pulver reiterated that this would not be the case with new competition, because Fox Sports and Foxtel "actually contribute real money to support this competition whereas back in the days of the ARC we actually had to pay to have these games broadcast".

The ARU is now seeking interest from existing clubs, who wish to compete in the competition of their own right. The governing body is also looking for clubs who are wanting to form a syndicate with other organisations such as universities, and individuals who would like to apply for a place in the competition. Expressions of interest close on January 13, 2014, to be followed by a formal tendering process.

Successful bidders will be announced by the end of February 2014, with selection based on criteria including: financial performance; professional team staffing structure and environment; commitment to player development; venue facilities; links to Super Rugby clubs; and current or potential fan base.