AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy - Managing Director and CEO of Australian Rugby John O'Neill
It’s been a tough year already for Australian rugby, with controversies over the future of the ELVs, the future of Super Rugby, ructions off the field with the Western Force, and the lacklustre play of the Waratahs.
Television audiences have been down for Super 14 rugby and crowd attendances have fallen.
The ARU has turned in a solid year with its accounts, thanks to some cost-cutting. And it has signed up a new sponsor, Castrol, to support the Wallabies.
So, in the light in all of this, we’ve organised for John O’Neill, the CEO of the ARU, to answer questions from the readers of The Roar. He’s happy to respond to what you consider to be the pressing issues Australian rugby is facing.
So let’s have them!
Just to get you going, here are a couple of questions The Roar would kick off with:
1. Was the ARU and the other supporters of the ELVs rolled on these changes by the British diehards? And if you weren’t rolled, how effective in the presentation of rugby as a spectacle are the changes to the laws the IRB will ratify?
2. What is the financial state of the ARU now and looking into the future?
3. Just what are the stumbling blocks to a revamped Super Rugby tournament the ARU and the NZRU are facing, and what is a likely outcome of the current negotiations?
Now it’s time for readers of The Roar to give us questions we can present to John O’Neill. Leave your question as a comment under this post and we’ll select the best four or five of them to pass onto him.
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May 7th 2009 @ 5:28am
pothale said | May 7th 2009 @ 5:28am | Report comment
Hmmm.
Were the IRFU, WRFU, RFU, FFRU, SARU, SFRU, etc. and the other less than convinced unions about all of of the ELVs rolled on accepting 10 of them and having the free kick sanction parked by the Australian diehards like JON? And if they weren’t rolled, how effective in the presentation of rugby as a spectacle are the changes to the laws the IRB will ratify?
4. Do you think you should take a leaf out of Steve Tew’s book, and allow Australian players who’ve been playing abroad to come back into the national squad when you need them?
5. Notwithstanding the cost-cutting (as opposed to revenue increasing) actions you and your ARU colleagues have undertaken, and given the parlous state of ARU finance’s going forward, how do you see the financially weakened Western Force being helped by diluting revenues even further with a fifth franchise?
6. Who do you rate as a good rugby administrator in world rugby and would see as a peer to yourself?
7. Would you actually prefer to create the Trans-Tasman Alternative and let South Africa follow its own destiny, given its geographical location?
8. Can you name three things that future Australian rugby players will benefit from as a result of your tenure?
9. When you say that the numbers would stack up for a TTA and the broadcasters are interested can you be specific? What likely revenues do you think could be interested, and which broadcasters are you talking about?
10. Has Castrol set any performance targets or conditions to be met by the Wallabies in relation to their sponsorship? What are they?
May 7th 2009 @ 7:55am
Simonr said | May 7th 2009 @ 7:55am | Report comment
John,
It’s clear SA will not let go of the Currie Cup, and NZ will not let go of the NPC, because for both countries they provide a quality national competition which feature great S14 players (who are’nt on rep duty) as well as exciting new players. These competitions have high viewership and foster talent for upcoming players by giving them a chance to play at a higher level. Considering this, why doesn’t Australia have a similar competition to also provide continued viewership outside of tests and help nurture new young talent? Is there an alternative to ARC that you are working on or is the concept dumped completely? Why?
Also, as the 3rd/4th most watched sports code in the country, why should rugby try to compete for viewers with the bigger codes by starting later and running longer? Should we position rugby as an additional sport to league instead of a direct competitor? (see Franklins v Woolworths in late 90s)
thanks
SR
May 7th 2009 @ 8:31am
Knives Out said | May 7th 2009 @ 8:31am | Report comment
Yikes, a kick for touch is far less likely under the ELVs.
Btw. I’m under the impression that Pothale isn’t being deadly serious. Despite this his questions 5, 8 and 9 are quite pertinent. Also, I don’t think at any point he suggests the ELVs were O’Neill’s idea, however he is correct to label O’Neill an ELV diehard – that is until it was patently obvious they were largely irrelevant to the modern game and when the Dean’s inspired-Australia played rugby that had absolutely nothing in common with O’Neill’s ELV-inspired ‘we run the ball a lot down here’ theory.
I think that Onside’s argument is heavily centred upon the necessity of diversity. Your response does not touch on this.
May 7th 2009 @ 8:31am
LeftArmSpinner said | May 7th 2009 @ 8:31am | Report comment
Well, more vitriol never got the job done….. God complex, sodding off, very balanced and considered. This is a serious opportunity. Lets not demean it by personal attacks, based on what has been written in an agenda motivated newspaper journo or two.
1. How can rugby parlay its unique strengths (when compared to AFL and NRL) at the global level into strength at the local level so that the Wallabies can benefit from the huge number of gifted footballers in the two other codes?
2. Will the NH trial the ELV’s that mandate free kicks for most infringements at the break down before a final decision is taken on those rules?
3. Comparing TTA and SANZAR super 15:
a. which is more profitable for Australia now and in the longer term?
b. which will provide the most FTA broadcasting?
c. which will ensure that our best players remain available for the Wallabies?
4. What has been done to get Rugby’s famed corporate connections more involved in rugby at local and regional levels, similar to the Japanese model? How likely is it that Australia can replicate, partially or otherwise, the Japanese corporate involvement?
5. What is being done to make rugby a truly classless game?
6. What is being done to demystify the game to viewers and spectators alike, so that they will better appreciate its fundamental difference and attraction (possession is always contestable)?
7. Is the expanded Super rugby format, with more local derbies, the start of a national competition?
8. When will it be viable, if ever, for a team/s from countries such as Japan, China, Canada, US and Argentina to play in the Super rugby “provincial” competition?
9. Why price merchandise so prohibitively expensive? $170 for a jumper is out of most people’s range. Surely a lower price will result in more total revenue and profit, while also giving the Wallaby brand more visibility.
10. Finally, what can be done to fill half empty stadia at Super 14 and Wallaby games? Surely ARU/provinces could offer the unheralded rugby volunteers, kids and their parents access to the spare tickets. Lets put something back and offer the tickets to the Fire, Police and Ambos, the Armed Forces, SES etc. and the armies of volunteers in our society who give so generously. Even offer them to charities for free for them to sell to raise money.
Keep up the good work and lets return the Wallabies to being Australia’s team.
May 7th 2009 @ 8:32am
Knives Out said | May 7th 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
Excuse me.. not Onside, Fatboy.
May 7th 2009 @ 8:34am
Brett McKay said | May 7th 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
John, firstly, I think it’s great that someone in your position is willing to listen to questions from we, the rugby public.
1. Regarding the SANZAR arrangement, if the status quo was what we got out of the 6-team finals debacle last year, is it entirely feasible that the only common ground for the next SANZAR broadcast deal will again be a 14-week, 4-team finals Super 14 competition? If this is the case, how would the ARU expect the broadcasters to pay more for the same, and in that case, would there really be any future for the Super rugby competition?
2. If the worst was to eventuate for Super rugby, in the form of the status quo remaining, does the ARU have any plans to keep professional Australian rugby in play outside the Tri-Nations? Specifically, are there any plans for the Australian Super teams to continue playing from July to September under a home-and-away APC format, which would essentially be the same as the proposed “local derby” component of the extended S15?
3. Outside the Trans-Tasman competition proposed as an alternate to Super rugby (should the current impasse remain), has there been, or will there be, any discussions with the NZRU about Australian sides playing in the Air NZ Cup, as was proposed by the New Zealand Unions last year?
4. Is the ARU expecting a suitable FTA presence (ie, live or minimal delay for local games) for Super rugby in the next broadcast deal?
5. My S14 season ticket this year worked out at roughly $35 per game. Will the ARU and the State Unions be helping members and supporters with a decrease in ticket prices for an extended Super/TT rugby competition from 2011?
6. This year sees the Wallabies return to Canberra for the first time in nearly ten years, despite two Super titles in that time. Will the ARU continue to schedule Tests in Canberra beyond this year, and regardless of the attendance at the Italy Test in June?
Again, thanks for the opportunity to ask these questions, and thanks to The Roar for making this happen.
May 7th 2009 @ 9:50am
Zac Zavos said | May 7th 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment
Guys – I’ve edited a number of comments in this thread.
As LeftArmSpinner puts it: ‘This is a serious opportunity. Lets not demean it by personal attacks’.
This is an opportunity to start a dialogue with the head of Australian rugby, please take it in good faith.
May 7th 2009 @ 9:51am
Roger said | May 7th 2009 @ 9:51am | Report comment
Dear John
1. What are the ARU’s plans to build depth in player numbers and to improve player development?
2. In particluar, what are the ARU’s plans for increased development officers and rugby opportuntities for schoolkids in the Western Sydney region?
3. What are the impediments for rugby (Premier and Super) getting back on Free to Air TV? Is there a better opportuntity now that there are designatied digital sports channels?
4. What are the impediments to the ARU being involved with the distribution of players amongst the States so that the best players are always playing?
5. Why do you think Aussie Super ruigby teams havent seized the oportunity to bring in their designated international players? Is it just a financial issue?
Thanks
May 7th 2009 @ 9:55am
fred said | May 7th 2009 @ 9:55am | Report comment
yikes ;lovely to see you back making our day .
please ask john if he considers his” influence” in determining the personnel in the aust franchises has had ,in his opinion,any short or long term effect .
has the” centralisation effect” really worked?
does he not believe in autonomy in franchises beyond lip service?
what responsibility does he take for terrible tahs and rubble reds? cos of intervention,if any.
why was aru under 19 coaches/managers dumped on qld?who were parties to this arrangement
thankyou
May 7th 2009 @ 9:58am
sheek said | May 7th 2009 @ 9:58am | Report comment
John,
The cynic in me wonders if (a) – you will actually receive any of these suggestions & (b) – if you really can be bothered or care about their contents. Anyway, I thank ‘The Roar’ for the opportunity……….
Q 1. What is your ‘lure’ or ‘lures’ to attract our youth to rugby union, as opposed to rugby league, association football & Australian football?
Context: Although participation numbers have apparently doubled over the past decade, there has been a flattening out. And the perception is, despite the growth in playing numbers, we are slipping behind the other 3 footy codes.
Q 2. What structures do you intend to put in place to provide an attractive career path for professional rugby players?
Context: The northern hemisphere apparently has more money to throw around, but also has better domestic structures – which provide the day-to-day bread & butter for professional players. In Australia currently, there are 4 professional rugby teams, compared to 8 for soccer, 15 for rugby league & 16 for Australian football.
Q 3. Following on from Q.2, what are the plans for a national domestic competition, be it either provincial or national club?
Context: Almost every country, in almost every sport, has a professional national domestic comp. The glaring exception is Australian rugby. It’s not as if we haven’t had the opportunity to develop a national comp. NSW first played Queensland back in 1882. Victoria was a viable 3rd provincial union during the 1930s.
Q 4. What structures does the ARU have in place to ensure not only sufficient playing strength, but also competent coaches, skill levels & referees?
Context: The perception is that coaching & personal basic skill levels have deteriorated. The Wallabies currently have a NZ born & raised coach, not only because he is highly regarded, but also because there was a lack of confidence in home grown talent. The basic skills set of leading Australian rugby players appears to have deteriorated.
Q 5. The super (12/14) concept seems ultimately flawed. What alternate arrangements does the ARU have in mind?
Context: Matches in SA are only attractive to SA viewers, because of time zone differences. The novelty of playing matches across the southern hemisphere from SA to NZ, has worn off with rugby players, not to mention fans. The season is also too short. At present Australia provides only two-sevenths (28.57%) of teams – hardly anything we can call our own.
Q 6. If there is a rationalisation of the 4 football codes, will rugby union survive in Australia?
Context: Some commentators wonder if Australia is too small in population & financial resources, & too large in distance, to have 4 football codes. Media resources splitting their viewing & writing content in various major cities; major corporations splitting their sponsorship deals; fans around the country being disengaged because of 4 footy codes.
Q 7. What is rugby union, exactly & can a game be crafted with lesser referee interference?
Context: Continuing argument rages over the benefits of ELVs in toto, or which ones work or don’t work. I’m beginning to lose identity of what rugby union is supposed to be. Most other sports attempt to limit the number of rules/laws & intrusiveness of the referee/umpire, while rugby union seems to be going in the opposite direction. Can we ever craft a game based on “organised mayhem”?
Thankyou, & goodnight!