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The Australian’s Wayne Smith wrote an article yesterday that gives cause for concern that Melbourne and the VRU may not gain the fifth Australian franchise from 2011.
If correct, it begs the question as to what’s going on at the ARU.
While questions might be asked about Gary Gray as VRU President, it beggars belief that any people at the ARU would choose to place the franchise elsewhere simply for reasons of getting square.
With union lacking a presence in Australia’s second biggest city and arguably biggest sporting city, the game cannot claim to be truly national. However, if the VRU and Melbourne lose out due to internal grudges against one man, correct or not, is the ARU really looking at the big picture and the best interests of the game as a whole?
One would think that even if some had issues with Gray, they would hold their noses, close their eyes and think of the game. But perhaps not.
Instead, the prospect of sending the franchise to the already congested Gold Coast (with a likely adverse effect on the Reds), or the potentially unreceptive western Sydney, simply to deny it to Gray, appears to be acceptable to some.
The ARU, and rugby union in general, has a poor image as a hot bed of politics and personalities, although this perhaps applies to all sports.
However, with the NSL gone, rugby seems intent on usurping its position as the Australian sport with an image of the biggest blockheads playing political games to the detriment of their sport.
In an age when people decry sport becoming a business, and commercial concerns winning out over traditions and sportsmanship, the certainty of the almighty dollar has some solace. After all, at least if its being run as a business, we all know if it will make money it will get support rather than being dependent on who has a grudge for who.
If this is true, then the ARU cannot move to independent directors and a board soon enough, to get rid of the amateur Machiavellis souring the game. If not, then the fact it is all too easy to believe doesn’t bode to well for the regard in which the game’s administrators are held.
Fourteen years after the game went professional, have the administrators caught up to the players and coaches and become professionals themselves?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.