Australia to introduce new domestic tournament

Reuters/Melbourne

Australia’s lack of depth and development has been exposed in recent years with nothing to bridge the gap between metropolitan club rugby and professional Super Rugby.

By contrast, New Zealand continues to groom players through their semi-professional national provincial championship, while South Africa has a similar pathway through the Currie Cup.

“The competition will be an exciting spectacle for fans and will enhance the pathway to develop elite players, coaches and match officials,” ARU Chief Executive Bill Pulver said in a statement yesterday.

“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 ... and South Africa ... at a time of year when there is little local rugby being played.”

New Zealand provincial teams have contracted several Australian Super rugby players in the past few seasons while up-and-coming players, like Wallabies winger Peter Betham, have used the championship as their springboard into Super Rugby.

The Australian competition, called the National Rugby Championship, had been funded by pay television provider Foxtel, Pulver said, which would give the broadcaster added local content at the end of the Super Rugby season.

Between eight and 10 teams from major metropolitan centres are expected to be included in the inaugural competition, but will need to meet certain financial, player development, fan potential and playing facility criteria.

Pulver said the teams could be drawn from existing clubs or joint ventures between several sides.

The teams will be confirmed by February next year, with the competition to run from August to October.

I’m the next Grenoble head coach, says ex-Irish hooker Jackman

Ex-Leinster and Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman says he is to take over as head coach of Top 14 outfit Grenoble next season.

Speaking to RTE Sport’s Rugby Show podcast, he said: “It was finalised with the club today that I will sign up for another year with Grenoble and take up the head coach position, which is obviously very exciting.”

The 37-year-old Jackman, a European Cup winner with Leinster and capped nine times by Ireland, will take over from Fabrice Landreau, who is currently both head coach and director of sport but will continue solely in the latter role.

Jackman has been defence coach with Grenoble since the 2011 season, the same year the club returned to the Top 14 by finishing top of the second professional division, ProD2.

“I am really looking forward to it and hope to continue this adventure we are having here at the moment,” said Jackman.

“It’s a city that is fanatical about rugby and we are looking to build something special here. I’m looking forward to expanding my role and hopefully becoming a better coach.”