Players from nine NRC clubs launch season in Brisbane
Grand Final replay to kick off new season tomorrow night at Ballymore
Two exciting initiatives announced
A full 292 days after Brisbane City claimed the first-ever title, the 2015 edition of the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship is set to be Unleashed once again – with two initiatives unveiled to increase talkability around the competition.
Nine teams playing 39 games across 22 venues all over the country in 11 weeks of fast-moving, free-flowing Rugby that will excite fans while also giving them a glimpse at some of the game’s future stars.
The 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship was officially launched today (19 August) at Ballymore Stadium– a curtain-raiser for the opening game of the season when Brisbane City take on Perth Spirit in a re-match of last year’s Grand Final.
The launch was attended by players from each of the nine competing clubs – Brisbane City, Queensland Country, Sydney Stars, NSW Country Eagles, North Harbour Rays, Perth Spirit, Melbourne Rising, Canberra Vikings and the Greater Sydney Rams.
At the official launch, the Australian Rugby Union also announced the introduction of two exciting initiatives:
The Horan-Little Shield
Named after Wallaby legends and great mates Tim Horan and Jason Little and in consultation with Green and Gold Rugby, the Horan-Little Shield will be played for during the nine-week regular season. 2014 Buildcorp NRC minor premiers, Melbourne Rising, will be in possession of the Horan-Little Shield for the start of the campaign having gone undefeated for the regular season last year.
Melbourne Rising has confirmed the Horan-Little Shield will be put up for grabs in their opening clash when they take on Queensland Country at the Gold Coast this coming Sunday.
How the Horan-Little Shield will work:
Whoever holds the Horan-Little Shield is required to put it up for challenge at every home fixture.
For away fixtures, holders of the Horan-Little Shield may choose to accept challenges but are not obligated to do so.
In the event the holder wins two consecutive home games, or challenges, the Shield is then automatically up for challenge for each subsequent game the holder plays whether home or away.
The team holding the Shield at the end of the regular season (or finals game if they choose to play for the Shield then) will be the only team whose name is engraved on the Shield.
Having been undefeated in the regular season of the 2014 Buildcorp NRC, the Melbourne Rising are designated inaugural Shield Holders and are awarded 1 (one) Horan-Little Shield win.
Australian Barbarians
It was also announced today that an Australian Barbarians side – chosen from players playing in the Buildcorp NRC who were not contracted to Super Rugby franchises in 2015 – will take on a New Zealand Heartland XV in November.
The two-match series against a Heartland XV, selected from uncontracted Super Rugby players playing in the Heartland Championship, will take place at Levin Domain, Manawatu-Wanganui and Cooks Gardens, Wanganui on New Zealand’s North Island. Dates and kick-off times to be confirmed.
The selection committee for the Australian Barbarians will comprise of a panel chaired by Pathway Services Manager - Talent Development at the Australian Rugby Union, Adrian Thompson.
Rob Clarke, General Manager – Professional Rugby, Australian Rugby Union, said: “These new initiatives for season two of the Buildcorp NRC will generate significant interest and excitement around the competition.
"The Horan-Little Shield will give clubs another opportunity to win and show off some silverware while I’m sure the composition of the Australian Barbarians squad to tour New Zealand will be the source of plenty of discussion in living rooms, online and in pubs and clubs across the country.”
Broadcast details
Last week, it was announced that FOX SPORTS would broadcast all 39 games of the 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship LIVE on its suite of platforms. Each week, FOX SPORTS Channel 502 will show one game LIVE each Thursday with the three remaining clashes from the round will be streamed LIVE via foxsports.com.au (web and mobile) and FOX SPORTS Now via Apple TV.
The Australian Rugby Union also confirmed that the law variations successfully introduced in 2014 will remain unchanged for the forthcoming season.
Round One of the 2015 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship kicks off on Thursday 20 August when Brisbane City take on Perth Spirit at Ballymore Stadium (kick off 7.30pm). The North Harbour Rays entertain the Sydney Stars on Saturday 22 August (kick 3.00pm) at Manly Oval while the NSW Country Eagles travel to Merrylands RSL Park to take on the Greater Sydney Rams (kick off 3.00pm). Queensland Country play the Melbourne Rising in the final game of the round on Sunday 23 August at Bond University on the Gold Coast (kick off 3.30pm).
