Is it time for a new Australian Rugby Comp?

I reckon the current disruption to international sport might just prove to be the shakeup that Australian rugby needs.

While the headlines are screaming that the coronavirus crisis could mean the end of Super Rugby I don’t see that as a bad thing. Even before the current shutdown South Africa were threatening to leave the competition after 2026 and join the Six Nations.

Hopefully the end of the Covid 19 crisis will just bring the divorce forward five years or so and Australian rugby can get back on track. For years it has seemed to me that flying Australian teams around the world to play against sides that Aussie fans have little to no interest in was a waste of money and resources that could be better spent on building the game locally.

It is no surprise that there has been a recent surge of interest in club rugby, with supporters craving grass roots tribalism. Rugby Australia should take the hint and build on that. Put what little money they have left into supporting strong club competitions between traditional rivals in each State, culminating in a national championship.

Throughout the season the best club players would be selected to represent provincial sides. The annual home and away series between Queensland and NSW used to be a highlight of the rugby season, right up there with Test matches against the All Blacks and Springboks.

There is no reason why that shouldn’t be the case again.

Imagine the Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels, along with teams from WA, Queensland Country and NSW Country, competing home and away for national bragging rights, before selection of a Wallaby team to play Tests here and overseas.

I reckon if they put all that together Rugby Australia would have a package the TV networks would fight over and the fans would line up to watch.

What do YOU reckon?