NPC 2023
-
-
-
@African-Monkey It also has a meaning on the internet. As in "gooning".
-
With Sanzar considering this,
Super Rugby to run from May to September, and the Rugby championship being played in October/November to an unprecedented autumn spot that aligns better with the northern hemisphere
or shifting the Rugby Championship from a winter/spring slot to the southern autumn, in which the four-team tournament would likely start in March..Under a proposal discussed at the SANZAAR table, Super Rugby would continue through the July Test window, with Test players absent. Sources say the three Tests could even be played as midweek fixtures, like State of Origin, and involve bye or split rounds to minimise the impact on Super Rugby, without halting the competition.
Where would that leave NPC. -
It leaves NPC as a semi professional development competition. It would remove players leaving and playing the MLS though. NPC probably being played as Super Rugby curtain raisers.
-
It seems to be heading that way.
-
@SouthernMann guess that would even the NPC playing field even further than it has recently by removing the main super players, leaving probably WTG and normal NPC squads.
-
Of course the obvious problem is that there isn't enough SR games to dovetail completely into the NPC schedule however I think having the NPC as SR curtain raisers is a good idea, you'll probably pull bigger crowds.
Realistically speaking the NPC has been a semi-professional feeder comp for Super rugby for awhile in everything but name now.
-
There are a lot of rose tinted glasses syndrome when thinking about NPC. Overall it isn't a good standard of rugby. Played in front of poor crowds by players who are trying to get noticed by teams overseas or get a gig next summer in Super squads. There isn't often opportunities to play into Super teams as acadamies provide the pathways to professional rugby.
-
@SouthernMann said in NPC 2023:
It leaves NPC as a semi professional development competition. It would remove players leaving and playing the MLS though. NPC probably being played as Super Rugby curtain raisers.
The continuing downgrade of NPC rugby is why I've been pushing for more SR teams. There should be a better geographic spread of the pro game. Also the pro teams should reflect where the population bases are so more players can represent where they are really from
Some fans are dead against this for NPC nostalgia reasons. I don't think they realise they'll get the worst of both worlds.. the NPC will continue to die and pro rugby will be concentrated in 5 bases
-
-
@SouthernMann said in NPC 2023:
It leaves NPC as a semi professional development competition. It would remove players leaving and playing the MLS though. NPC probably being played as Super Rugby curtain raisers.
The continuing downgrade of NPC rugby is why I've been pushing for more SR teams. There should be a better geographic spread of the pro game. Also the pro teams should reflect where the population bases are so more players can represent where they are really from
Some fans are dead against this for NPC nostalgia reasons. I don't think they realise they'll get the worst of both worlds.. the NPC will continue to die and pro rugby will be concentrated in 5 bases
this ^^^
people answering these kinds of suggestions with "i like things how they are" just ignores the trajectory we're on where we risk both comps failing
-
As I have said before, I'd hate to lose NPC, but I am realistic and know it cant keep going in the current format, or even any other resembling years gone by.
-
@SouthernMann I think most of the negativity towards the NPC comes from people who support teams from the SR franchises' main centres and possibly it's true for those teams that they attract small crowds. Or it just seems that way, because those teams play in stadiums that are too big for the NPC.
If NPC is the highest level of rugby that is played in a province, the NPC will be much more appreciated and get bigger crowds.
As most SR players also play NPC, I think the standard of rugby is fine for the level that is one step below SR. The rugby is often entertaining IMO. It may surprise you, but there are plenty of players who actually enjoy playing for their home province and take pride in the jersey they're wearing, whether it's the highest level of rugby they'll ever play or not.
You speak of people with rose tinted glasses as if they're ill ("syndrome"). I think you should take your arrogant GOM hat off and appreciate that not everyone has the same expectations of NPC and that people with that "syndrome" have a quite healthy love for rugby and tribal affiliations that aren't fed by SR franchises, because those SR teams hardly/never play in their home province.
