The eight-team national competition, designed to bridge the gap between club rugby and the Super 14, will start from next year and will involve three teams from New South Wales, two from Queensland and one each from Victoria, the ACT and Western Australia.

ARU CEO Gary Flowers said the competition was an important development for rugby in Australia.

"This is a vision for the future of Australian rugby, it not only supports the Super 14 provinces and the Wallabies but it will also give talented club players the opportunity to secure higher representative honours," said Flowers.

"Every key stakeholder is in agreement on the National Competition, including RUPA, the players and the vast majority of clubs. Importantly, every State Union, including NSW, QLD WA, Victoria and ACT are totally committed to it."

Rugby nations such as New Zealand have established third-tier competitions which provide a great flow of players to the Super 14 teams and the national squad, but the plan to initiate a similar competition in Australia had been met with stiff opposition from the clubs and many rugby pundits.

The clubs said it would destroy club rugby while many questioned the financial viability of the competition after a report indicated the eight-team tournament would lose money for its first three years of existence. But Flowers allayed the claims saying the competition would be good for the game at all levels and would be sustainable.

"The dollars are available and have been earmarked for this strategic investment in the future of rugby in Australia," said Flowers.

"The National Competition will be tribal because the teams will represent geographical areas, and in Sydney and Brisbane teams will be associated with existing Clubs. These Clubs will act as feeders for players and coaches and support staff."

"The success of the Super 14 and a start-up team like Western Force proves that rugby fans will go to high quality, intense games, where the best players are playing each other week in, week out."

"This, in fact, restores club rugby to a pathway for player identification, development and selection."

"With this decision, the ARU can now finalise the deals with broadcasters and sponsors. We have a lot of interest from broadcasters and sponsors for this competition."

"The competition will be innovative with some games to be played on Friday nights and Sundays. Rugby lovers will get to see an elite competition that has the passion and intensity of a Club grand final every weekend."

(sportal)