By Spiro Zavos
September 23rd 2009 @ 1:18am
Related coverage
Wallaby disgrace! Money comes before the jersey
The Australian Wallabies during the team training session in Brisbane, Friday, July 4, 2008. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
At 6.45am on Tuesday, my phone rang. It was Geoff Mould and he was as mad as hell about the demand by some senior Wallabies for $2,500 to play a trial match before the overseas tour.
Mould is a rugby guru.
He coached and selected the 1978 Australian Schoolboys side which is, arguably, the best rugby side produced in Australia. He spotted the Ella brothers at Matraville High, and had a lot to do with their development as master players and thinkers about the game.
Now he was incensed.
“Sorry to ring you so early,” he told me. “I can’t believe it, this story in the Herald about the players refusing to play a trial match unless they are paid $2,500. This mob of poofters couldn’t beat their aunt fanny even if she was playing in a wheelchair. Just play the game, and those who refuse to play unless they are paid, can miss out on the tour!”
According to Tony Dempsey, the chief executive of the Rugby Union Players Association, the players trade union, they were happy to play for nothing: “If it was just an internal trial to select the touring team at North Sydney Oval, we wouldn’t expect to be paid.”
But what RUPA objected to, according to Dempsey, was playing a high profile match put on by the NSWRU as part of their season schedule. The Australian reported that the amount of money RUPA wanted for this high profile match was around $7,500.
This figure is much higher than the figure quoted by Greg Growden in the SMH, in his story of the episode.
He reported that RUPA was approached by some senior Wallabies about the match and the demand of $2,500 a player to play in it was made on the ARU by RUPA.
According to Growden, it was the ARU, not the NSWRU, that decided not to go ahead with the match. Growden also reported that the dispute had been simmering for some time before the ARU decided to pull the plug on the idea.
This version of the affair fits what I knew, or was being told, over the past month or so about the possibility of the game.
It may be that both versions are correct and that the NSWRU tried unsuccessfully to get its Wallabies-Australian Barbarians trial game up, and that the ARU also failed to get its Possibles-Probables trial up too.
It is clear that that if a rampant demand for money had not been made by RUPA, there would have been a trial match, probably under the auspices of the ARU, which has run similar matches many times in the past.
There is a back story to all of this.
When News Ltd made its offer to support a SANZAR Super Rugby tournament and a Tri-Nations tournament on Pay TV, Channel 9 (with the ruthless Kerry Packer in charge) tried to destroy the concept by creating a rebel rugby organisation.
The chief organisers among the players for the rebels were Sean Fitzpatrick, Francois Pienaar and Phil Kearns, the then captains of the All Blacks, the Springboks and the Wallabies.
The Australian part of this troika played hard ball to get its way, to the extent of banning John Eales from meetings between the players and dismissing Eales as ‘old jellyback’ for his refusal to sell out the Wallaby jersey to Packer.
When a settlement was made between the rebel players and the ARU, the union was really hammered in the agreement. John O’Neill came on board as CEO of the ARU after other executives found that they could run rugby in Australia when most of the money coming in went out to the players.
RUPA, which was bankrolled by the ARU, has fought O’Neill persistently and viciously as he tried to get a more equitable dispersal of the News Ltd monies to promote and grow rugby in Australia.
This latest disgrace is part of the continuing battle, it seems to me, between RUPA and O’Neill, a battle in which, again in my opinion, RUPA has invariably been in the wrong.
The irony in all of this is that the Australian players this season have not justified the lavish payments being made to them.
There were no Australian Super 14 sides in the finals. And the Wallabies have had a poor year which ended in the All Blacks scoring their fifth largest victory since 1903 over them.
Not long after I took Mould’s phone call, I exchanged some pleasantries with a neighbour, Patrick, who lives across the street. “Weren’t the Wallabies terrible on Saturday,” he called out to me. “I can’t bear to watch them any more.”
When Patrick said that, the thought came to me that right now the Wallabies should be paying us money to watch them, not the other way around.
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(147)
megatron said | September 23rd 2009 @ 1:32am | Report comment
Disgrace. Seems like rugby has succumbed to the modern sportsman and all the greed that comes with it.
ohtani's jacket said | September 23rd 2009 @ 1:36am | Report comment
Whatever the truth of this matter, it’s a kick in the balls for Wallaby supporters. They ought to rectify this situation immediately.
MM said | September 23rd 2009 @ 1:58am | Report comment
Spiro has outlined the facts regarding their actual play, losses, etc.
Isn’t that where the focus lies? With the players and coaching staff.
Whatever the truth is, what did they really want to accomplish if it pulled off? Certainly not changing history – perhaps just adding a statement in their own minds….
ohtani's jacket said | September 23rd 2009 @ 2:07am | Report comment
I’m not sure if I follow you exactly, but if I were a Wallaby supporter, I’d want to see a trial (even if it’s not called that), and I’d want to see the players take this upcoming tour deadly seriously.
After 2005, all we heard out of Australia was how they were getting better and ever closer to winning back the Bledisloe. Well, now they’re back where they were in 2005. The last four years have been a waste of just about everyone’s time and energy.
mother teresa said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:29am | Report comment
jack nicholson said you cant handle the truth otherwise tell it as it is son
Matt0931 said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:41am | Report comment
I don’t think we have been given the whole story here.
From what I understand this ‘trial’ match was going to be a Wallabies A V Australian Barbarians match and was not supposed to be a commercial venture and the wallabies were going to play for nothing originally. It was only when the news came out that the game was making up part of the NSWRU’s season schedule and that some of the proceeds may have gone to the NSWRU that RUPA asked for some proceeds if the game was in fact going to be a commercial venture.
Also, the $2500 they asked for is the match day payment made to Australia A players anyway. The $7500 payment mentioned in the story is the fee players received for playing in the past Australia Wallabies v barbarians match.
I do think the ARU needs to get tougher with RUPA and work to reduce player contracts but I don’t think this should be done through match day fees. Match day fees are in place to keep a level playing fields otherwise the ARU would be free to make the players play as many games as the ARU felt without paying them any extra for playing extra games.
Now ask yourself this – If your boss asked you to work for nothing on a sunday when you knew he would be making a tidy sum from the day would you want to work?
Of course you wouldn’t.
Chris said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:40am | Report comment
My job is officially Monday – Friday, but I regularly work weekends, late nights … but I don’t get paid extra. I do it because I’m passionate about my job. Imagine the passion you’d have if you could play the sport you love for your country?
I am very disappointed with the recent Wallabies performances, but I feel the majority of the players would not be privy to all the discussions between the RUPA and the ARU. I think they have now been a hung out to dry for a decision that they had little influence over. They are in a tough spot, they feel they are putting in 100% on the training paddock but the results aren’t coming… and then fans like me are putting the boot in. It would be frustrating.
For the sake of the game, the ARU and the RUPA need to put their differences aside and make sure this game proceeds. Any profits from the game should be given to developed grassroots rugby and a portion given to charity.
Bay35Pablo said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:59am | Report comment
Chris, would you front up for that extra time if it involved getting tackled by a 120kg Kiwi/Bok every minute?
Having said that, the performance on saturday night was the equivalent of the office worker surfing the web and updating his facebook page during office hours …
Vented Relief said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:13am | Report comment
…..and blogging on The Roar…..
Ben J said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
Selling Wallaby tickets is not a job Chris
But yes I agree, there is a lack of seriousness about these Wallabies. Too cushy at the moment?
avsfan said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Mate, I think you’re splitting hairs here. The match is supposed to be a trial for places on the NH tour. Players should be crawling across cut glass for an opportunity to play in this match, not quibbling over what is for them small change, but for the average punter a decent load of cash. No wonder the Wannabees are so woeful, if this is their mindset.
Skip said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Chris,
Most people who get paid above the award to work overtime for no compensation and the majority on them would be on a fraction of what these prima donna’s are getting paid. It is how most people feed there families and keep thier Jobs.
Nashi said | September 23rd 2009 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
“Match day fees are in place to keep a level playing fields otherwise the ARU would be free to make the players play as many games as the ARU felt without paying them any extra for playing extra games.”
Aren’t the players restricted to 32 games per season, and if so doesn’t that make your point invalid?
AndyS said | September 23rd 2009 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
So if they designated the mid year Tests as “selection” matches for the TriNations, and any Aus A matches as “trials” for the Wallabies? In most instances that is exactly what they are; you have only to read back over comments here to see the speculation around what those matches meant. So there wouldn’t be any chance that the ARU would be tempted to call them selection friendlies on a play-or-no-selection basis?
As for those working weekends for high pay, that’s fine, been there. Mind you, my boss also wasn’t taking the money he saved and using it to train my replacement, or requiring me to help said youngster learn. I also noticed a funny thing over the years…those that did it tended to get bypassed, because they were more valuable in that position working for nothing than they would be in a better/higher paid position. There is a limit to the analogy between us and an elite sportsman. Think of it this way perhaps – you work, but one bad sickie and you may well not work in this country again except on much less money. You’d be how keen to take unreimbursed risks with your health?
MM said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:52am | Report comment
Matt,
Certainly what you’ve said makes the most sense and it’s a pity good intentions aren’t kept at the fore and more of the big truth behind this unveiled.
johnyfairplay2006 said | September 23rd 2009 @ 4:19am | Report comment
maybe the wallabies supporters should wear armbands next game – what a sorry bunch they are, these wallabies. you talk about the boks bringing the game into disrepute.
MM said | September 23rd 2009 @ 5:24am | Report comment
Johnyfair,
There are always good laughs at some remarks – and definitely – yours fell into that category. Armbands saying what?
It’s sore on the fans who are let down, and maybe this is unfair of me, but we can’t only support our teams when they’re riding the crest of the wave. Every nation’s team endures a cyclical process which I’d like to believe is part of the problem – not the entire problem.
It’s hard to believe that the players go onto the field to lose the game albeit it looks pretty much like that at times. Personally, I think the younger players need a bit of de-throning regarding their attitude – the younger players still have to prove themselves and it’s perhaps their attitude both whilst playing and certainly their fans, they need to reconsider for starters…
CraigB said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:58am | Report comment
how about – Justice 4 Us!!!!
Rusty said | September 23rd 2009 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
how about “Men for Gold” or “Gold 4 Us”
warrenexpatinnz said | September 23rd 2009 @ 5:17am | Report comment
A team in the NZ NPC competiton called the Bay of Plenty Steamers through financial issues have made severe cuts last season and this season where they have to do things like;
Wash their own jumpers
Stay in two star or less accomadtion
Romm with two or more players
Cook their own meals
This year their coach was even sacked at the start of the season yet they reached the top four of the competition last year and are currently sitting third which in the scheme of things is pretty bloody good.
I know this draws a long bow but the Wallabies, like a lot of International sides receive the best of a lot of things and this may have contributed to their seemingly lack of hardness and respect for where they actually sit on the worlds pecking order.
Time for the ARU to reduce the perks they are not signed to a contract on for these players as a good dose of reality will go a long way to make some difference in their present attitude.
Cheers
avsfan said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Too true warren. the story of Brian Lochore billeting the AB’s with farming folk before the 87 WC to remind them of their roots and who they wore the jersey for was a master stroke. Compare that with the holiday in Corsica before the 07 debacle.
QC said | September 23rd 2009 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
Yes your right Warren however it’s not by choice that they do this. The Bay are the beneficiaries of New Zealand rugby and to be honest should be one of the first unions to be dropped come culling. While their results are very good financially they are a mess. Tew has said it’s going to take alot more than results to keep teams in the top flight. The Bay has been bailed out time and time again and this year is no different. I’d say other unions who have had to battle to get into the red would literally be seeing red should the Bay be taking it easy in nice hotels and dining out.
The bay is a financial mess and they are one of the reasons why the competition is seen to be not sustainable, how could it when they’re holding their hand out every season for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Manawatu and Taranaki two of the smallest unions in the country yet two very sound unions financially who have fought hard to maintain the integrity of their provinces and unions yet they will be two unions surely in the firing line.
Maybe RUPA and the ARU might want to spend a few days with these unions to see what it means to play with passion and pride in the jersey oppossed to playing for cash.
Tahriffc said | September 23rd 2009 @ 5:58am | Report comment
from what I have read this morning the player request was reasonable – if it going to be set up as a commercial venture – then pay them (25% of normal)
If its not a commercial venture – play for free
seems reasonable
johnyfairplay2006 said | September 23rd 2009 @ 5:59am | Report comment
@MM
agreed MM, but i could not help myself having a dig at spiro after his bok-baiting this season and then his triumphalism last week. i posted only one comment last week – “one swallow a summer doesn’t make.”
as for the wallabies – stick with your team, sport wax and wane. before we know it, the boks will be at the bottom and demand more dough. you should see the horsetrading in our provincial set-up, takes the gloss off the game a bit, but then again it’s how they make a living.
now what would the armbands say? “value4fans” maybe?
MM said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment
You’re right Johnyfair,
Spiro knows how to stir – but he’s renowned for striking up a controversy, sitting back and watching the responses – a journalistic attribute – not wise to take too seriously.
Who’s my team do you think?
No doubt the Springboks will see the end of their era – so what? There’ll be another triumphant era again, but it’ll be a while I’d think because currently depth is lacked on the bench because of their quota system, and key players appear to be approaching the end of their rugby careers. Just my take which may be right out.
Armbands: “Value4fans”, “Fairness4fans”, and maybe, “Fans-on-strike”.
If one watches the body language and various, yes – the young Wallabies need to pay attention to giving their fans what they deserve rather than embracing ego-centric attitudes (only some – but it impacts on their play nonetheless).
Maaxy said | September 23rd 2009 @ 6:09am | Report comment
Agreed Tahriffic – it is supposed to be professional rugby these days. The game in Japan is purely about making money as was the barbarians game with the headline “SBW” The timing of all this ,if it has been simmering for some time, is interesting. Not a bad time for an employer to deflect poor media from the test series in a different direction. If Deans want this trial he can organise it anytime he likes at any training venue he wants – the players have said no problem. If the trial is about making money then why are the players the only ones being charitable – they have said they will play the trial for free – you always need to look deeper on these things eg read the Australian and not just the SMH to get a fuller picture
mother teresa said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:23am | Report comment
where oh where have all the leaders gone
tifosi said | September 23rd 2009 @ 6:48am | Report comment
The days of sport not being about money passed away a long time ago. Like it or not move into the 21st century.
Campbell Watts said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:15am | Report comment
And that attitude is precisely why the Wallabies keep losing – No heart, no passion!!!
They are a bunch of pampered soft cocks, more worried about their hairstyles and looking good than rolling up their sleves and getting stuck in.
Pathetic!!!
Knives Out said | September 23rd 2009 @ 6:54am | Report comment
Why would the players ask to be payed? Wouldn’t a match like this have been incorporated into their contracts?
mother teresa said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:00am | Report comment
KNIVES yes but far too simple and logical ;communication,negotiation without kicking your butt
how much simpler i to put a spin on the aru plight or if the wallies coaches could have performed agst all blacks
THIS IS JUST A SYMPTOM OF DEEPER DIFFICULTIES;stress,stress ,fires everywhere ;the aru is keeping the fire brigade busy
too much shooting from the hip from hq;too much play whats in front of you all round:results poor
the social architecture is clearly not harmonious and if you dont know where you are going any road will get you there
protagonists of central office cannot beat the flames and there are new ones springing up daily,time to figure out who are the arsonist(s)
Tahriffc said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:19am | Report comment
I dont understand how the ARU let this happen – now nobody is benefiting – NSWRU doesnt get its money – the ARU loses its chance to generate some much needed revenue – the players are villified straight after losing to the All Blacks – and the game of rugby is once again dragged down into the mire of off field slanging matches
Sadly it seems that Rugby is dropping the ball on and off the field
Reservoir Lock said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:26am | Report comment
“Now ask yourself this – If your boss asked you to work for nothing on a sunday when you knew he would be making a tidy sum from the day would you want to work?
Of course you wouldn’t.”
Fair enough. Except if I had failed miserably in a task and been publicly castigated for doing so then i would be saying “When and Where”. And by the by plenty of people work unpaid overtime so why should a group of underperforming players think they’re different.
JK said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
Just put the game on for the fans, at least we know Australia will win!……….which one I’m not sure
AndyS said | September 23rd 2009 @ 4:26pm | Report comment
And so you ask the boss, “What’s the job?”, and he says, “I need you to go out there and find the guy that could replace you in six months time”….
JTG said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:32am | Report comment
In regard to the comment if your boss wanted you to work on a sunday wouldn’t you want to be payed. My boss pays me & expects me to turn up each day at work mentally & physically not just on days i feel like it. Maybe the wallabies should have thought about some other match payments they have recieved so far this year & had they earned them?? As i said after saturday nights game, maybe the wallabies should donate that nights payments to charity, of course that charity not being themselves.
Mitch O said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:48am | Report comment
A trial is never in the best interest of the incumbents. Given their recent performances I imagine the current squad is very relieved that fringe players aren’t going to get a chance to show them up.
MM said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:39am | Report comment
Mitch O,
Wise words indeed!
Yikes said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:57am | Report comment
Hang on here. Dempsey has released his “version” of events to make them look like the good guys.
But there’s a crucial element missing in his account – common sense! The game in Australia is hemorrhaging money. ARU and NSWRU are DESPERATE for cash. RUPA knows this.
This game was due to replace an Australia A game. ARU would have to pay 22 players for this. With this proposed trial game ARU would now have to pay 44 players! 44 at 2,500 a pop is suddenly $110,000. RUPA should know neither ARU or NSWRU has that kind of unbudgeted money. In order to break even, you would have to encourage 5,500 people to attend at $20 a head. That’s just to play the players!! Let alone venue hire, security cost, etc all the other costs of holding a match. Ain’t gonna happen.
In addition, the players not doing the game means that NSWRU loses over $100,000 in refunds to members.
Dempsey makes it seems reasonable for the players to expect payment if that was a commercial venture to save NSWRU $100,000. But he is deliberately misleading – how is it saving anyone anything if you have to spend that total amount to pay the players. The whole exercise would COST money.
This is where RUPA should have made the following judgement:
a) Rugby is in strife
b) NSWRU is in strife
c) We’re playing like shite currently
d) For the good of the game, let’s do whatever we can to make this idea happen
e) We want to wear Wallaby gold, and if this is going to make Deans’ job easier, we want to play.
End of story.
mother teresa said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:19am | Report comment
deans getting his act together would just paper over the cracks.the problem with commonsense has for centuries been if we dont like each other we play reciprocity and use denial and rationalisation as tools of trade.
the innocent suffer.”we are playing shite at present” INEVITABLE YIKES be well
Vented Relief said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:24am | Report comment
You think the NSWRU is in strife?!? Why shouldn’t this game be played at Ballymore then? I’m pretty sure the QRU is in a hell of a lot more strife than the NSWRU. Or is it only the NSWRU that is deserved of ARU charity ….. Well I guess thats pretty evident when you look at the continual topping up of Waratah player contracts but very few Reds player contracts.
Onceinawhile said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:36am | Report comment
ummm, maybe if the Reds played better thier players would be compensated accordingly
Yikes said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Vented Relief – read the facts. ARU had promised an Australia A game to NSWRU. It then cut the program to cut costs. That meant NSWRU had promised a game to its members it couldn’t deliver. Hence ARU owed NSWRU.
This is not the same situation as the Reds being in strife because they keep sacking CEOs and coaching staff.
Vented Relief said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:28pm | Report comment
Everything just seems a bit NSW centric on this site and in Australian rugby in general. I believe a big reason why rugby in QLD has been allowed to go down the toilet is because if ever there is an extra game somewhere to be played, invariably it will be played in Sydney; if there is extra money to be made, invariably it will be made by the NSWRU.
Invictus said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:38pm | Report comment
Been that way for more than a hundred years.
AndyS said | September 23rd 2009 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
And so their choice was a) just give the $100k back to the members and have no game at all, or b) give the players the $100k, get your selection trial and recoup whatever you make over the cost of ground rent. No wonder the game’s finances are what they are, and depressing that the administration doesn’t think they can even attract enough interest to cover ground rent.
So what they should now do is take the RUPA statement at face value – play an unpaid trial match and throw the doors open to any interested spectators. Make the money on the barbeques, and reconnect the players with their fanbase.
Mungehead said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
Something strange is going on here. Surely a match of the probables vs the possibles be a popular game to watch – no chance of Australia losing! I’m kidding, but I would still expect that it would be possible to fill a stadium of punters to see such a match. And wouldn’t that make enough money to pay the players their standard rate, and still make a profit after expenses? What have I missed?
Edit: While I was posting this, Yikes explained it succinctly:
>This game was due to replace an Australia A game. ARU would have to pay 22 players for this.
formeropenside said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:20am | Report comment
Look, this is one of those all too common cases where nobody is in the right. RUPA are nuts to try this on right now, but lets face it, I dont think the ARU is exactly doing a great job right now either. Australia dont have the cattle for a 4th super team, let alone a 5th, and yet we are going to get one. When only 2 of 5 teams actually produce players, thats starting to create a problem.
The ARU is more interested in short term funds than Wallaby success:
1. Never play the Boks in Perth, its a home game for them.
2. Taking Tests to Melbourne may make money, but its a slap in the face for supporters in Brisbane and Sydney.
3. Agreeing to a 4th Bledisloe game in HK and Japan has made it effectively impossible for Australia for recover the Bled Cup (although as events proved it was effectively impossible anyway).
4. Scrapping the ARC rather than finding a way to make it work, or even accepting it as a loss leader for player development (I could handle the 4th offshore Bled game if the funds actually went to create a genuine 3rd tier comp).
Lindommer said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:39am | Report comment
Point 4: I’m with you on that one, fos. There’s no doubt the costs of putting on the 2007 version of the ARC were unsustainable but, to my mind, not nearly enough work was done on the revenue side of the equation. The wisdom of hindsight tells us the GFC would’ve made raising sponsors money in 2008 even more difficult than in 2007, but sponsors weren’t even asked the question. There were also many opportunities to cut costs (on travel and accommodation for a start) which could’ve resulted in a sustainable ARC remaining on the Australian rugby landscape.
AndyS said | September 23rd 2009 @ 4:42pm | Report comment
One point – my impression is that this has been going on in the background for a while, rather than RUPA trying it on now. Instead, someone has decided that now would be an opportune time to make it news. My guess would be someone in the NSWRU out of spite, or someone at the ARU (or maybe in the media) to make RUPA/the players look bad. I can’t help but wonder whether the story would have come out now had the Wallabies got a win on Saturday.
The way it is! said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
Yites well stated as you are spot on!
Cheezel said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:28am | Report comment
“2. Taking Tests to Melbourne may make money, but its a slap in the face for supporters in Brisbane and Sydney.”
What about the supporters in Melbourne?
Tiger Town said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Poor, poor, rah-rahs!
Our hearts bleed as the Wallabies crash, players take the money overseas, and now you can’t get a trial game up. Running a professional football code is not as easy as you lot thought!
You used to bag league, AFL and soccer for all the troubles they had with players over money, selfishness, cheating, loyalty, etc, lower tiered clubs running out of money while the elite pro players take all the cash.
Now look at yourselves and your own game today! Hilarious!
sheek said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:50am | Report comment
If I could throw some light on the subject by telling a story.
Many, many years ago, just before I enjoyed my current employment, one of our functions was to man rescue boats, emergency rescue being part of our charter.
Our management was willing to provide sufficient coxswains so that every crew on shift had a few qualified skippers. The bloody minded union however, was too greedy, & demanded every employee have a coxswain’s ticket.
This of course, was impractical. Then, as now, getting a coxswain’s ticket is an expensive exercise. In the face of the union’s intractability, management separated rescue boats from the core operations.
Moral to the story is that you have to be wise about what conditions you push for. It might not always be possible to have everything you think you’re entitled to. By pushing for everything, you run the risk of losing something else. Compromise is always a wise option.
The Wallabies, with their very poor record this year, have totally misread the mood of the supporting public. This was not an issue for them to flex their industrial might. It has sent totally the wrong message – that the Wallabies are only interested in money, & nought else.
This is one situation where the Wallabies should have let discretion win over demands. It’s a public relations debacle for the Wallabies, who are now held in even more contempt by their fans.
The ARU are not angels themselves, but please note Spiro’s historical analysis of how professionalism came about. In Australia, 95% of all monies paid to ARU went directly to the leading players. For 13 years now, very little was left over for developments in other areas.
Today, Australian rugby is paying the price – A pampered top tier, & a dysfunctional junior development program.
Fly on the Wall said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Sounds just like the corporate sector at work!
Funny that.
The utter hypocrisy of rugby union.
AC said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:39am | Report comment
Umm… How is it hypocritical? And what do you mean by Rugby Union? Rugby Union is the game played 99% by amateurs for the love of the game and the club environment.
Professional Rugby Union is a different beast altogether. Almost a different sport. And one increasingly alienating it’s amateur roots.
AndyS said | September 23rd 2009 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
I wonder what would happen if the various state unions got together in Aus, and the various clubs in NZ, and each selected the 22 best amateur players and put on a couple of matches…
Daniel J said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Spiro
Thanks for the article, it’s nice to get some background information and perspective from somebody who (i am assuming) has some insight into the current ARU and RUPA structure. Now, i have consistently been harsh on the Wallabies over the past 3 years and would appear now that those harsh criticisms are vindicated. How on earth can these players justify such a measle sum from an otherwise financially crippled Union (as apposed to other codes)? Do you have any insight on whether the players actually listen to the fans who ultimately pay their salaries? If so, i think John O’Neil is the master of strategy, if what you say is correct he let RUPA fall into this trap and i say good on him, because now they have been exposed.
I do not know how other SANZAR countries pay their players, that is immaterial, however, a massive overhaul of player payments must be made, the last 2 years is evident of that. $11 000/ test by my calculations, each wallaby who played 10 tests this year would have received $110 000. Why do i say it isn’t relevant how the other SANZAR players are paid, it’s because they play with a distinct passion for their jersey. Wallaby players are now officially mercenaries. If that is the case then it works both ways, if you are not performing then you don’t get paid. period.
In short, it is absolutely disgusting for fans like me who have taken their time, effort and money in going to see these chumps play. I have never said there was anything wrong with losing as long as you gave it your best shot. To represent your country at any level demands that you give it your best shot. Because you represent the fans that pay your salary. I identified this attitude deficiency from the Perth test against the Boks. Watch a replay, after the test the wallabies can be seen joking and laughing. At least the players agree, laughing it would seem, is indicative of where Australian rugby is in this century. I and (and a few other people i know) won’t be renewing our membership next year, and won’t ever until there is a distinct attitude change. So Johny boy, i money is the only language the Wallabies can speak, speak to them and let them know what they are really worth.
peace
True Tah said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Daniel J
I think relative to the number of tests played, Australian rugby players would easily be among the best paid in the world, certainly better than South African and NZ players thats for sure, and it might explain why relatively few Australians play in European clubs, they would get paid the same but end up playing far more games. Having said that, the likes of Heinrich Brussow, Richie McCaw, Bryan Habana, Fourie du preez are the sort of players who give their absolute best when they pull on the myrtle green/black jersey, who in Australian rugby can say the same?
I think the $11,000 per test comes on top of a retainer, plus the money from their super rugby side, so your average Wallaby would easily be on $250K a year.
And to be frank, a hell of a lot of people work beyond the 9-5 to get things done, and at the same time get paid a whole lot less than the Wallabies.
RUPA can say whatever spin it wants about their understanding of the $2500 match fee, I would have thought after winning the wooden spoon in the Tri Nations, Australian rugby players would want to do all they can to generate some goodwill????
Brett McKay said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:58am | Report comment
spot on FOS, this is quickly becoming a case of we said-they said and nobody will come out this smelling like roses. The timing of the story points to all sorts of agendas, and the whole sorry tale couldn’t paint a better picture of Australian rugby currently if it wanted to…
ozxile said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:59am | Report comment
Gents, if we accept the concept of payment as a good faith gesture on the part of the ARU, then lets see the RUPA put up something in return. How about conducting this as a benefit for something, cancer, autism, battered children or whatever, and the players contribute their paychecks to that cause and the ARU whats left of the gate? Then the third piece in this puzzle, the supporters – who ultimately pay all the bills – can show up and feel OK about all aspects of the event. Right now it is ME (ARU), ME (RUPA), and WHY ME? (Supporters) and no-one is going to benefit.
I would go to the game – and cheer for Australia.
Hoy said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:01am | Report comment
Put this game on at Ballymore, advertise it through radio, Sunday afternoon = full stadium of fans curious for a look at who can stand up the incumbants.
Everyone has opinions on who should get a look in. Now if I have been telling my mates that Hoiles is the shit for a long time, and he finally gets a go to shine, I would want to be there to see him play and possibly make an impact.
The amount you pay to go to games these days is almost highway robbery. If this was done as a low key thing, $20/$30 I would definitely get some blokes for a beer or two and head along.
Dingbat said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:04am | Report comment
I wonder if this article would even have been written if Aus had just won the 3N?
Daniel J said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:59am | Report comment
Why would it be, if they won the 3N they would be worth every penny spent.
David Gordon said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
If we are talking money lets have a look at it from the rugby supporter point of view.
Foxtel subs, Wallaby 1st subs, Test match tickets, Waratah home game tickets including trials not much change out of $3,000. My annual golf club fees are cheaper than that – come to think of it I could get a new set of clubs for a darn sight less than three grand.
Bay35Pablo said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Sheek,
“The Wallabies, with their very poor record this year, have totally misread the mood of the supporting public.” Very correct.
It appears to me that Growden’s version of events was partial. And it is that which has riled everyone up. Smith’s version is closer to what RUPA have now said, which suggests it is close to the truth. Therefore, what I and everyone else initially got riled up about was not necessarily what happened.
As Tahriffic said above, if it was a usual commercial game to fill in the NSWRU itinerary, you’d expect to get paid. This is not what Browden represented it as, but rather a trial. Smith and RUPA have indicated while the Aus A Barbars game wouldn’t happen because the ARU/NSWRU wouldn’t/couldn’t pay for it, the Probables v Possibles trial was still open and they woudln’t expect to eb paid.
The issue then becomes, whether this will still happen and if not why not? Surely they can organise that game on short notice at North Sydney oval, and they’ll get 10,000 without blinking.
Whatever the truth is, and it seems clear there are games gaming on here (with perhaps Growden and the media being played with leaks, who knows), the article has clearly shown the resentment that Wallabies fans have towards the team. That is resentment that the Wallabies haven’t been putting in this season, and a perception they are more concerned with money than commitment. The article wouldn’t have caused this to be voiced unless the thought was already there. it was merely the straw that broke the camel’s back.
That’s the issue here. And if RUPA or the ARU wants to use that to play their games, the sport will suffer for it, because it will not get the problem fixed, being the malaise in Australian rugby right now.
NRL, AFL and HAL must be laughing themselves to death.
Terry Kidd said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:17am | Report comment
If I was JON I’d tell the Wallaby coaching staff to pick 44 players, two sqauds of 22, and I would set up a trial match (non-commercial) for the squads to play each other …. the goal is to pick the NH tour squad.
The players would be told to play for expense reimbursement only. No play, no tour and no ARU contract.
Simple really …. they either play the game because they love it and have a burning desire to play for Australia at every possible opportunity or get out and look for rewards elsewhere. I’ve had enough of over paid primadonnas who don’t have the heart or pride to have a dig.
Sack the lot of ‘em JON and use the money saved to set up and run a provincial comp that will eventually breed a new generation.
LeftArmSpinner said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Dempsey’s logic is flawed because it assumes that the Wallabies have fulfilled their end of their employment deal. i.e. playing to their full effort and commitment.
The Wallabies have not come close to fulfilling their end of the bargain. If the players and Rupa have any doubt on this could be easily solved by a customer satisfaction survey, or a quick review of the roar’s copious pages of comments on same.
This season, we wallabies and Super 14 supporters, financial supporters (Jerseys, hats, scarves, game tickets, programmes, TV audience, memberships), experienced frustration in the early games lost as the Wallabies played dumb, soulless rugby. We remained respectful of the players wearing the jersey and the jersey itself.
This changed to mild anger and disbelief at the constant promises not delivered (we will be more enthusiastic, we will be more aggressive at the breakdown, we will play the full 80 minutes, we will not give away dumb penalties, etc, etc).
Brisbane showed that they can do it if they want to.
After more promises, Wellington showed that they dont want to do it. Wellington brought embarrassment and strong, vociferous anger at their non-performance and litany of more broken promises. There was no apology forthcoming from the players, no reparation, just more platitudes, despite Deans open and public criticism.
We are all taught from an early age to say sorry, to mean it and to make good/amends to those affected. Not a “dickiebird” from the Wallabies.
It has now moved to deep disgust and intense anger at fundamental damage the players and RUPA are doing to the game, our game.
Deans needs to cut the infected area out immediately, in the knowledge that his employer and their financiers, the supporters, are smart and can happily live with a step back for two forward. This is the worst case scenario.
However, in reality, there is no downside because this current, fatally flawed team have not been winning games and competitions anyway. And, if the youngsters/replacements dont step up, pick them again in 2010.
Reportedly, it is the senior players who are behind this: Simple, just dont select them: Horwill, Elsom, Chisholm, Smith, Giteau. Not a great loss, in reality. Elsom was the only one who turned up, and then scared to run the ball, in Wellington. Giteau isn’t a “smart” player and at best is only ever going to be a gifted individual.
LeftArmSpinner said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Spiro, the headline should have been Wallaby Disgrace: money comes before their country……………….!
ExpatSin said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:25am | Report comment
Guys at the end of the day we have three entities (ARU, NSWRU, RUPA) who all have varied motives for providing a version of the story that suits their goals. We may never know what the true story is/was and it will be like most stories, left up to an individual’s perception of who is telling the truth. The truly unfortunate outcome of this is the loss of respect in the players as is evident by the posts on all media sites around the world. Thought the players’ performance all year has been subpar it is they I feel sorry for, with the exclusion of some of the older players, who through seniority and influence would have had a say in the proceedings through the RUPA. We all like being patriotic when it comes to our national teams but at the end of the day it is a source of income for the players, admittedly a good source, but with a finite life and some treat it as such. While I personally subscribe to the opinion that wearing a national jersey should be a source of pride I am also cognizant of the fact that many nowadays do not view this in the same manner.
Cliff (Bishkek) said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:40am | Report comment
After Saturday in Wellington I was going to write and vent my utter disgust – at shite.
Then I thought “what a waste of bloody time – whatever the fans and paying public say – is never taken on board – ARU or players – so why waste my time”
Then this – “players demanding money”
I am writing to say something.
But I am gobsmoked – cannot think
Easy – my money, my interest is heading to NRL
Bye Wallabies – no longer interested – and this has been coming for 5 years – Rugby in this country is in critical condition and will not be saved – WHY – the ARU, the clubs (Sydney & Brisbane), the players are doing nothing to cure a very sick patient.
The players are not delivering – BUT – the ARU is not developing Rugby in Australia.
LeftArmSpinner said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:57am | Report comment
and of course, this disgraceful, unedifying spectacle is taking away from Sydney Grade rugby’s finest hour, the 2009 GF.
Tahriffc said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:19am | Report comment
So while the NRL and AFL are both celebrating 70,000+ crowds this weekend – Rugby is embarking upon a HE said – SHE said tiff (although SHE said – SHE said seems more apt) through the media – what a disgrace
You can debate the merits of whether the player should receive a share of any commercial spoils – and never agree
For me the most disturbing thing is that the ARU seemi to be comfortable with this story somehow leaking into the public domain via Growden – in a way that publicly demenas its own players. What is going on here – the ARU appears to be more comfortable with this animosity than trying to find a solution.
The real concern everyone should have is the potential divide that is going to grow larger between the players and the ARU – argue what you like about their performance – but they are the best we have (no one is waiting in the wings) – and it wont help Australian rugby if they are at war with the ARU and decide to go overseas – we will just lose by more
Incidently – if you got 15,000 at $20 a head – thet’s $300,000 – enough to go around everywhere
Why is Rugby always having these sort of churlish spats?
Invictus said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:26am | Report comment
Lack of realism on behalf of all parties.
Campbell Watts said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:44am | Report comment
Tahriffic,
I wouldn’t now part with 20 cents to watch these twats!
Ian said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Good article Spiro. The Wallabies are an absolute disgrace. I have been an avid rugby union supporter all my life (having played the game when I was younger), but stopped watching the game after half-time. The writing was already on the wall.
It seems to me that these pampered players only play the game for the love of money, and not the love of the game. The pride in the jersey is gone. They simply sell themselves to the highest bidder. Quite frankly, it’s appalling, and my patience is fast running out.
The current crop of players should be ashamed for their dismal and gutless performances this season. If they were in any other profession, and performed as poorly as they had, they would have long since been fired. No professional working person could keep their job with such a poor performance.
These Wallabies should be doing everything in their power to repair their relationship with the paying public. Instead, their decision not to play the trials only further alienates them from the public. Bring back the days when players played for the love of the game and the pride of the jersey. These pretenders should all be fired.
MM Fike said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:44am | Report comment
Are the ARU along with the players aware of the depth of despair out here in fan land?
I am actually looking forward to the NRL semi-finals this weekend and believe me I’m not really a league watcher.
I was looking forward to the Wallabies northern tour but on current form they will only beat Scotland.
I find it difficult to believe we are in this situation because I thought it would be a good season for us rugby followers.
What a damn let down it has been.
bob said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:47am | Report comment
These guys are professionals, and they put their bodies and careers on the line every time they play. The real issue is that Aussie doesn’t have the depth of clubs and paying public to bankrole a top class pro game any more. They have punched well above their weight for a long time, and now the cracks are showing. If you want to compete at union at world class level, and the public are not feeding funds to the game through clubs and viewers, then the government has to step in and bankrole it, as it does with other, less spectator freindly sports.
The players are not to blame for this. They have short, brutal careers and need to be properly rewarded for all the years they have put in getting to the level they are, and after the career is over, they are without jobs. So they need to be properly paid and looked after. As they said, if it was trial, run on training grounds they would have played free, but it was being sold as a commercial game. Without the players there is no rugby… without pro players Aussie would be a 3rd rate rugby country. So, if tickets are sold on a commercial basis, pay the boys and stop whinging. If the unions can’t afford to pay their players, accept the demise of the pro game in Aussie and move on. there is nothing wrong with being like Argenitina, a stoic, mostly amateur rugby nation that on occasion punches well above its weight… maybe aussie has to accept that with a smallish population, and with union as its 4th or 5th most popular spectator sport, it’s time to think much much more humbly.
JK said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Bob, that’s what the problem is for the fans at the moment, most don’t believe that “they put their bodies and careers on the line every time they play” And if Australians thought more humbly we would’nt have enjoyed the sporting success achieved over the years.
Campbell Watts said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:47am | Report comment
Tell me Bob,
Exactly which one of the Wallabies deserved to be paid $11,000 last Saturday hmm???
DAMN WELL NONE OF THEM!!!
Dean Pantio said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
This attitude I don’t understand if you look at the performance in light of two things:
1) The expressed tactics of having forwards ready for the subsequent phase to support the ball carrier – namely the lightweight backs.
2) Give credit where it’s due to the All Blacks forward display.
The aspect of leadership within the group is the problem as it was readily apparent to all and sundry that the tactics the Wallabies were using weren’t effective and more of them should’ve made the effort to secure their own ball. All it would’ve taken is one person to say let’s play it tighter and have all the forwards smashing every ruck. Simple pick and go and then with momentum give it to the backs.
As Deans stated; once the game was beyond them, that’s when some rolled over.
Sam Taulelei said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
Bob
I would suggest that while the players are paid professionals some may not yet have a professional attitude. There is a clear difference. Professionalism brought money into the game so that players for the first time could earn a living from playing sport.
Becoming a professional says more about a persons attitude, attention to detail, willingness to work harder, to push beyond their comfort zone and boundaries, to become more self reliant, to put additional hours of practice in to improving and honing a skill, to seek continuous improvement as an individual and as a team. These are the intrinsic qualities that you can’t put a price on and what truly motivates people to achieve consistent excellence. Money is not a motivating factor in itself, by that I mean that if you’re happy with your salary it becomes a neutral factor, but it is a strong demotivating factor if you’re unhappy with it.
Here is a contrast in attitudes from three of the Wellington All Blacks who were entitled to two weeks annual leave after the Tri Nations ended, however Hosea Gear, Cory Jane and Rodney So’oialo all put their hands up to play as much rugby as possible before the All Blacks end of season tour. Their motivation is they want to wear the black jersey and the best way to convince the selectors is to play as much rugby between now and October 18 when the squad is named.
I don’t believe for a second that players don’t take pride in representing their country, but there is a different attitude in the professional era than the amateur era. In the amateur days the national jersey was the end all and be all. Players held down fulltime jobs and still showed up for work on Monday morning after a test, prestige and honour was paramount. In the professional era for the majority of players the national jersey represents a stepping stone in their professional career as a rugby player. They still have the same sense of pride and honour but it’s not the sum total for them.
While the shelf life of most professional rugby players is shorter than their amateur counterparts, it also needs to be acknowledged that they are in a far more privileged position than most working people. If the facts reported are correct then the players have lost touch with their fanbase and that has less to do with money and more to do with attitude, i.e being a professional.
stillmissit said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Great post Sam and this shows that the modern day sports pro hasn’t learnt this lesson that was learned and hammered home long ago in most professions. IF YOU CANT BE PROFESSIONAL, YOU CANT EXPECT A PROFESSIONALS MONEY.
Ack said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:49am | Report comment
If we accept the performance based pay system (the basis of any free market) then surely poor performance would = poor pay. Instead of talking about bonus’ – the ARU and Deans should be talking about additional players time, training, conditioning, mid week games, anything…and everything to convert the soft centres of nancies. Less time at the hair salon and more time on the paddock.
If you removed the professional player from the wallabies, I seriously believe that I would more proud of the effort and commitment of those from club ranks were they to wear the green and gold.
Terry Kidd said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:55am | Report comment
Apparently the APC was shelved because of cost. Well guess what? Rugby in Oz will be shelved eventually because we don’t have sustainable junior development or a pathway beyond clubs to higher levels. Cut out the ARU players contracts, pay the players match fees only for representing their country, that should put a good value on a Wallabies jumper even for mercenaries !!!!
Use any funds saved for junior development and a national provincial competition.
If current players are unhappy about a possible loss of income then let them go play in Europe or Japan …. we only want Wallabies who truely value playing for their country …. win or lose.
Ben C said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
It was apparently a commercial opportunity for NSWRU as many member had already paid for the match. The players from the Reds, Brumbies and Force would have had no reason to prop up the NSWRU. Some form of remuneration would not have been unreasonable although the leaking of the story has made the players and RUPA look inept. I have no beef with the players wanting to be paid for a commercial match rather than a purely internal trial match.
However RUPA have dropped the ball with some cringeworthy stuff in the press release, specifically Tony Dempsey’s comments:
“.. it is easy to infer the players are money focused. A more challenging, difficult and yet constructive task is to provide positive solutions to the Wallabies recent lack of form against the All Blacks.”
It was not lack of form but lack of effort and pride. Trying to downplay the woeful effort as a loss of form is risible.
“The players also spend numerous hours volunteering their time to help out at grass roots rugby functions and events.”
No, some players are very generous and some players are misers. Why should the misers get any credit for the selfless effort others put in.
“It is not the first time and dare we say the last that during a Wallaby form slump that it is suggested the players are either overpaid or money hungry. The reality is players are just as committed as ever in representing their country and take great pride in representing their country.”
This is just laughable after Wellington (with a few exceptions).
“What is needed now in Australian rugby is a galvanizing of support for the Wallabies as they prepare for the November tour – not misinformed ill advised rhetoric about the attitude of players to money.”
If the players displayed some pride in the jersey rather than rolling over meekly and exposing their soft underbelly, it wouldn’t be necessary to appeal to some nebulous mechanism to galvanise support.
While the RUPA had a point about payment, as Sheek noted their response has totally misread the mood of the public.
sheek said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:27am | Report comment
I have a suspicion JON might actually be enjoying all this drama. Well, ‘enjoying’ isn’t the right word, but he might see all this as a necessary evil.
JON has long been frustrated by the fact 95% of all money paid by News Corp to the ARU, goes to the elite players. Very little is left over for developing the base of the game. Whether that 95% changed at the last agreement, I don’t know.
Back in 2003, JON also wanted to implement a national comp, but it was the premier rugby power brokers in Sydney & Brisbane who forced JON out, because they were unwilling to lose any influence in their domain.
There are people I consider friends, from establishment clubs in Sydney, who despise JON with a passion, because they see him as the evil destroying their clubs. Yet often he has been the messenger, not the architect, of pain.
Since returning in 2007, JON has been gobsmacked at how Australian rugby has gone down a self-ruinous path. Remembering how he was treated previously, he has basically operated in a holding pattern, only doing what has been absolutely necessary to keep the ARU financially afloat.
JON may believe that things won’t improve until they hit rock bottom. Only then, will vested-interest groups loosen their hold on self-centered power. Regrettably, hitting rock bottom might be the only cure left.
You only have to see how some fans deluded themselves everything was okay when the Wallabies beat the Boks several weeks ago. Another belting by the ABs brought everyone back to brutal reality.
It seems we’re (all Australian rugby interested parties) not going to learn any lessons until things are almost totally destroyed. This seems to be the nature of the human beast – “pride doth come before a fall”!
mother teresa said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:36am | Report comment
poor bugger it must be terribly frustrating for him and one makes mistakes with this form of anger.
hope both he and deans are getting paid well for all their disappointment.
AC said | September 23rd 2009 @ 2:15pm | Report comment
I think it could be a deliberate ploy to get the players to turn their back on RUPA. Nasty and political, but I can’t see any other way the player base could be coaxed into giving up their stake in the media deal income. The mob (us) are speaking!
AndyS said | September 23rd 2009 @ 5:47pm | Report comment
Has anyone got a reference for this 95% value? It seems unrealistically high – the ARU turns over ~$80M a year and I would have thought most of that would be the News broadcasting deals for Super rugby, 3N and the various Test matches. 95% seems a disproportionate amount to be spread across 120 professionals…
Onceinawhile said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:29am | Report comment
So in the end it’s a matter of principle, it’s not the game as such but where the proceeds go to.
Is’nt this the national team, and if the ARU as thier employer had no issue why have a few factions got so much say, oh right it’s rugby!
AC said | September 23rd 2009 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
Why? The Superleague war precipitated this…
Terry Kidd said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:45am | Report comment
It won’t happen …. but until the NSWRU, QRU VRU ACTRU (sorry but Perth is out until a comp becomes sustainable) sit down with the major Clubs (Shute Shield, Brisbane Premier, etc) and work out a structure where the ARU runs a provincial competition where the established clubs may enter teams, where the state unions run downgraded local comps (where the major clubs may still field teams) and all junior development and competitiions then the only certainty is the slow death of rugby in Oz.
The S14/15 franchises should be exactly what they are franchises (read businesses) that survive on their own merits, paying their players what they can afford. If they become non-viable then they fold, no propping up by the ARU or state unions (I know they are linked now, but they can be unlinked … look at Telstra).
I’m pretty confident that such a structure may leak some junior players to the NRL for money but it will also produce a new generation of Poidevins, Farr-Jones, Littles and Horans who played for passion and enjoyment and eventually won some spoils.
However a lot of current wannabe administrators would have to develop some humility and see their little empire shrink a little, while others grow quite a lot …. its the nature of things to be dynamic, for things to shift and for some far sighted people to see the opportunities and sieze them. That is where Oz rugby needs to go … can JON sell the vision to enough people?
Invictus said | September 23rd 2009 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
And your particular dislike of WA is??
Bulldog said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
Terry – I just need to pick you up on a point here about WA Rugby. During the ARC comp the Perth Spirit team had ample sponsors and were the only viable team in the comp. It was the other QLD and NSW teams that were unsustainable….
AndyS said | September 23rd 2009 @ 5:52pm | Report comment
I think the ACT team also broke even or better.
Terry Kidd said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:46am | Report comment
Or has News Ltd got such a strangle hold on the game thru money that in effect nothing can be done?
Arky said | September 23rd 2009 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
Couple of things;
Dempsey is losing sight of what he is defending. His client (the players collectively) are underperforming yet he continues to push for more. If he were to put his ego, need for power and grieavnces with the ARU aside for a minute he would realise his client is a long way from delivering and manage (his client) accordingly. If he fails to do so he will soon find he is no longer the intermediary.
The players need to wake up to themselves – no matter how much they pump themselves up after sporadic performances they need to ’smell the beans’ and realise they are a long way from delivering what the punters want. Whether it be pay tv, gate takings or free to air – the punters are directly or indirectly paying to see them perform. Right now they are not performing. If they continue in this manner there will be no revenue (tickets, pay tv or free to air) and ergo no pay. The ‘extra’ bledisloe in Asia will no longer be a revenue opportunity available to them.
This is a business – made more commecially attrcative by the national pride that is at stake. The stakes drive the revenue upward. Whether the games is progfessional or otherwise nationalistic pride should deliver a superior outcome as the stakes are higher. So whether you take the ‘play for your country view’ or the ‘professional’ view doesn’t really matter – the players are obliged to peform – and right now they are a lone way from that.
Personally I am as close as I have ever been to giving up on the wallabies. We have put up with drivel for too long. I am not going to point the finger at the ARU, JON or Robbie Deans as all of these have delivered at some point in time. The only group that has never delivered is the current group of players.
I will not be subscribing for my Wallaby Plus tickets in February – I may take the chance to have a weekend away with the wife or with the mates and watch a rugby test in Melbourne, Perth, NZ or somewhere else – if I remember to turn up. I will not fork out for four tickets at a hundred bucks a head to watch this drivel in Sydney no matter who the opposition. And while I have travelled overseas and was up until recently considering a weekend in Tokyo later this year – all of that is now a long way from any real consideration. In fact I am closer to considering a club membership in the NRL (something I would have never considered) than ever buying another wallabies ticket…
Players – wake up to forces at work here – the spectating public are your client (and empoyer) and right now they are voting to replace (or sack) you all – while you are mistakenly asking for more money – behind your punch drunk RUPA rep who is equally oblivious to the forces at work !!!
Greg said | September 23rd 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
I paid up for a Parramatta Eels Membership this year, so that I could take my young son (1 yo) to see his local NRL Team. I have always supported a different NRL club. The best $130 I have spent this year. To see one Wallabies match the ticket alone costs that much.
onside said | September 23rd 2009 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
This subject is all about ‘lunch’ money. It’s a PR nightmare.
The Wallabies win in NZ; ‘why are they playing for a lousy $2500′
Loose; ‘charge them to get into the ground, and pay them nothing’
BAS said | September 23rd 2009 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
I really feel for you guys at the mo. I would be in utter disbelief if I read this article about the AB’s if they had performed the way the Wallabies had this year. No fan deserves to hear this and I would imagine a lot of fringe supporters will turn their backs on the wallabies for a good while now
Who Needs Melon said | September 23rd 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
I want the ARU to pay them what they want and I’d pay the money to attend for one reason only… I’d organise via viral e-mail, blogs, etc. that, when the anthem is sung, we all stand up and sing it as usual but with our backs turned to the Wallabies. Give them the pyrrhic victory they deserve.
stillmissit said | September 23rd 2009 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Guys I just posted this on CraigB’s thread but I decided to post it here as well.
I woke up this morning feeling a bit more humble than usual (a rare thing for me). Then I thought about O’Connor a 19 year old who has had his arse reamed by the All Blacks and Ben Alexander not much older also worked over and shown lacking along with several others. I found myself feeling for them for the first time since Saturday.
We are all capable of Talking the Talk greater than we can Walk the Walk and these guys are no better and in several cases because of the ‘rare air’ they live in worse than us.
My old forwards head says ‘Enough! let the kids prove they can uphold what we believe in, one more time”
Who Needs Melon said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
stillmissit,
Despite my vitriolic post, you are right, of course – we shouldn’t be too hard on youngsters like O’Connor and co.
But the game was mostly lost in the forwards and there are (or should have been) enough experienced, hard heads out there in the forwards to rally when the going got tough and adjust to match the opposition and the ref.
When we play well it’s been our YOUNGSTERS who have shown the way – Benn Robbo, TPN. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Jameswm said | September 23rd 2009 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
WNM
I think you need to change your user name back to Bring Back Melon.
We’ve been talking about attitude, but who are the players who always give 100% the whole match? Benn Robbo is the first and possibly only one that springs to mind. Berrick barnes maybe. TPN usually when he’s on there, ditto Ben A, although he isn’t a world class tight head yet.
Phil Waugh is out of the reckoning but always does. Rocky? Chis and Notso are pampered ones – get Kimlin in there, like I’ve been saying.
And if you pick the wallaby 22 from last weekend, who do they play against? Apologies for it being so Sydney Club-centric
1. Jerry Yanuyanu
2. Fitzpatrick
3. Kepu
4. Kimlin if fit, otherwise Hockings
5. Caldwell if fit, otherwise Mumm or one of the 6s below
6. McCalman or Dave Dennis or Ben Mowen
7. Hodgson
8. Hoiles
9. Holmes
10. Halangahu
11. Ratu – give him a rocket and tell him to show us what he’s worth
12. The Gordon bloke
13. Tyrone Smith
14. Fainifo
15. Beale if fit (if he ever is)
Bench
The Warringah no.8
Vanderglas
Dan Palmer
Sheehan – tough unit
Who else is there?
Hoy said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:31pm | Report comment
Watched The Gordon Bloke play the other day. Scored 7 tries in a game didn’t he a few weeks ago? He seems to go alright. Is he signed to a province? Because sure as shit, QLD could do with a good centre.
Roy Kneebone said | September 26th 2009 @ 7:03pm | Report comment
His name is David harvey, won the Ken Catchpole medal last year for best player in the comp.
Has signed with an Italian team. Another one we let go. Doesnt suprise us
Greg Russell said | September 23rd 2009 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
Great! Without the Probables vs Possibles (or Wallabies vs Australian Barbarians) match to worry about, Robbie Deans has 6 weeks to absolutely flog the Wallabies in the sort of fitness program for which he is well known in the Crusaders region, and which the Australian players clearly need. By the time they are finished vomiting on sand-dunes, I suspect the Wallabies will be wishing they had taken the option of playing the trial match without payment.
This may be a blessing in disguise for Deans. Every cloud has a silver lining.
Invictus said | September 23rd 2009 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
Break out the stock whip and cattle prods!!
Ziggy said | September 23rd 2009 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
Just remove their combs, mirrors and toiletries.
fox said | September 23rd 2009 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
I don’t see why he wouldn’t have done this with or without the controversial match that was proposed. Make them vomit up the humble pie they’ve been eating for the past, um well about 4 years for some of them!
Harry said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
Greg I see where you are coming from but the Wallabies and Australian rugby players generally spend way too long in training camps and not enought time playing hard competitive fixtures. If ever there was a need for a full on match, this is it. They spend too long in these camps, one of the major reasons for the decliine of the Wallabies. Doesn’t matter how hard they train, nothing is better than match hardness.
cosmos forever said | September 23rd 2009 @ 5:46pm | Report comment
I agree Harry – do these blokes ever play footy…
Chris said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:21pm | Report comment
I haven’t seen or heard about this issue in any of the main stream sports news programs. I’d imagine if it was AFL players or NRL players and their unions doing this it’d be front page stuff.
An under 16 RL grand final fight has more press than this…
Says something about the pecking order of our game and how far its fallen.
onside said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
“There are no whippets at Wentworth Park.”
For none NSW roarers, Wentworth Park is the greyhound dog racing track
The saying ,’there are no whippets at Wentwoth Park’ ,means that no matter
how good a whippet you are,even if you are the best in the country ,you still
wont be good enough to win against the greyhounds Metaphorically speaking
when playing NZ and SA,the Wallabies are whippets. At this stage they are
simply not good enough.Those that think flogging players with punishing training
routines are misguided.It can do more harm than good.Fitness is not the issue.
Neither is ‘ticker’.Raw ability is the missing ingredient.Raw talent will out.The
Wallabies are short of it.
Chris said | September 23rd 2009 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
Are you saying we need a National comp to provide an income stream for a wider pool of players…
onside said | September 23rd 2009 @ 8:08pm | Report comment
I dont know Chris.Might help.
Some years in international sport Aussies are just dreadful.Other times we are top of the heap.
This depends more on natural selection and less on coaches.All countries experience the trends.
Newspapers,TV,.and blogs depend on the mob,us,thinking they know better and are able to make
difference.Fantasy of course ,but it pays the rent. Australians tend to take things for granted.The
champion players and champion sides are accepted as the norm,the Aussie way. But its not the
norm.Never was the norm.Subsequently, in times like now,when the Wallabies are doing their
best but unable to win the punters howl at the moon.Tough men cry in their sleep because they
are exhausted,did their best but bruised and battered fell short.There is nothing left.The people
scream for more,call our players cowards,look for every reason than the obvious,that the other
team were better.Just because I get paid doesnt make me better.The tradegy is ,that when the
Wallabies win,and everybody jumps on the bandwagon,the players have to share the limelight
with hypocrits.But hey, thats the price you pay.Having to put up with it means players earn every
dollar.We can have a National comp and a bigger player pool,all that,but it will never stop
peoples unralistic expectations.The better things are the more the public expect.They in fact are
the real losers.
Bulldog said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
I am certainly not happy with the performance of the Wallabies on Saturday or that they are demanding money for more (necessary game time) HOWEVER why was the NSWRU getting the cash for this event? Why is the money not going evenly to all the rugby communities that the Wallabies represent? or to charity or to junior rugny development. Why should the strongest rugby state in OZ benefit exclusively from this event…
AndyS said | September 24th 2009 @ 3:37pm | Report comment
That would have been a nice one – to fund the travel of junior teams like that school team that had to scrape together $70k to go to the World Youth Tournament in Japan, or offset the cost of the schoolboys team. Or perhaps use it as a way to get the ARS back up and running for the amateur game again…
Harry said | September 23rd 2009 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
II am as outraged as anybody but I can’t help feeling now this is all an O’Neill inspired initiative to “keep rugby in the headlines” during the climax to the AFL and NRL seasons. In which case I beleive it is entirly counter-productive, I don’t think these people (ARU and RUPA) quite realise how pissed off people are getting with this infighting, point scoring and petty squabbling as the game goes down the tube. The outcome of this woeful failure of leadership is lost revenues through lower TV ratings, sponsorship and ticket sales.
Chris said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:50pm | Report comment
Harry I hope you’re not right, surely the ARU wouldn’t pull a PR stunt like this? I don’t think they’d even do it
Bob McGregor said | September 23rd 2009 @ 4:11pm | Report comment
Irrespective of whether all the facts are accurate re the proposed match, the influence of the Players/representive is and has been too great for some time. I’ve posted here for years about the “farmyard animals taking over the farm” and the need for JON to crash through and reexert control over the players. Appears now is the time.
If not the the ARU may well go the way of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”.
Some have posted of this diversion before the Shute Shield Final between SU & Randwick. Do many followers outside of those 2 clubs really care who wins? SURU BUYS their talent with offers of ‘free’ tuition from the clubs that nutured them while Randwick “attracts” wanabees who see them as a short cut to Super14/ARU Wallaby selection.
I did notice that Drew Mitchell had plenty in reserve to play for Randwick on Sunday after his lamentable display against the AB’s. He’s one who should be left behind for the remainder of the year. Likewise Lachie Turner until both learn how to kick, chase and effectively catch high balls. Oh, almost forgot – and LEARN how to tackle!!
Insider said | September 23rd 2009 @ 7:09pm | Report comment
When are the ARU and the players going to wake up to RUPA and the one man show that rules Australian Rugby!
All that RUPA cares about is the percentage of ARU/Wallabies money its gets to spend as it sees fit. No transparency. The more money the players get- the more RUPA gets….
RUPA tells players when they can play, for how long, and for how much – or is it playing, rest, active rest etc…. A one man dictatorship!
Growden states “RUPA, which was bankrolled by the ARU, has fought O’Neill persistently and viciously as he tried to get a more equitable dispersal of the News Ltd monies to promote and grow rugby in Australia. This latest disgrace is part of the continuing battle, it seems to me, between RUPA and O’Neill, a battle in which, again in my opinion, RUPA has invariably been in the wrong”.
RUPA was the main instigator of the unsucessful and finanically damaging ARC – and who lost money in that venture – certainly not the players – only the ARU!
RUPA does not care if you play Club Rugby or Volunteer or Referee.. because it can not make money from them.
Wake up and lets return to the future where being a Wallaby was a highly prixed honour and not a meal ticket.
AndyS said | September 24th 2009 @ 5:12pm | Report comment
As a passing thought, does anyone have any insight into the deal with RUPA? I have generally seen it presented as simplistically as a percentage of take goes into the player payment pool, out of which the match payments and retainers then come. If that was an accurate representation, would there be anything to stop the ARU reducing the guaranteed payments and contracting more players (perhaps over time)? That would seem to fulfil several requirements, making match payments a bigger part of any Wallaby players income and increasing the competition for those match payments. And could RUPA argue that there are too many professional players, or that one group of their players require preference over other players they also represent?
brad said | September 23rd 2009 @ 9:30pm | Report comment
whats the issue? robbie deans should force them to play a training match anyway. The ARU should allow the training session to be open to the public end of story. Plus they should be forced to sign autographs after. Robbie deans is the idiot here, he has no power over his players thats why they do not play for him
fred said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:01pm | Report comment
hasnt adjusted well to new culture and has to use different techniques.he is recruiting young players to facilitate change instead of developing the best balance ot players to win in the future without compromising the present.tactics and selections as you say have been imo idiotic.if deans isnt careful the team will lose belief,trust and respect necessary to evolve
Tahriffc said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:20pm | Report comment
At the end of the day – if it was all about the current players being challenged by up and comers – then the match should be played at North Sydney and be open to the public free of charge – as a way of Australian Rugby (ARU and Players) saying “thankyou for sticking by us in the hard times!”
But at the moment – it is the ARU staging a commercial venture to make some more money (for them and the ARU) -saying to the public “please come and pay us some more money – although we have let you down this year”
Why should the public have to give more money to the ARU – who have taken a Bledisloe off shore at the Australian public’s expense.
Given that the ARU have said – stuff you – pay us more money – why are the player the only villian in all of this?
I’m not saying the players are beyond culpability in this – rather I am saying there is joint culpability
Tahriffc said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
Should this match have been set up as a commerciial venture in the first place
Why should we the long suffering supporters be asked to pay more money to decide if this years underachievers should be replaced?
If the ARU had set it up as a thankyou to the public – then the players would never have asked for their share -and this issue would never have arisen
I’ve spent all year paying over priced tickets – for inept performances – why should I have to pay to see – who is worse than the others
Westy said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:31pm | Report comment
I was dicussing player payments with a player manager. This person informed me the ARU signed o’Connor on a 2 year contract worth $1.2 million. This was confirmed by workingclass rugby on this site. The player manager ( not O’Connor’s) said O’Connor’s manager did an outstanding job. I of course asked why ? He said where did you think he was going to go ?
Rugby League! He said he is a player of real potential but he ain’t the goods yet. Babyfaced looks might be worth an extra $50000 but did ARU seriously think he woulg go at this stage of his career to Europe or Japan ! He is not there yet.
At his age at his level of development he wants to get test experience he wants to play for the wallabies . You have got him by the balls until the next World Cup.. He is a $300000/$350000 man. He told me the ARU always pays over the top even when they have the bargaining power. You see he is young but your still not sure of how good. Why pay more then you need.
He said their attitude stems from the fact they have never really run a professional competition. remember the he told me they only run 4 bloody teams and the Wallabies. Having 16 to 18 professional teams and being hard nosed about player worth is not yet part of ARU experience.
Only one man’s opinion I hope he is not correct.
Harry said | September 24th 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Westy I have similar insight into precisely what one of our (underperforming and with clear areas of his game to improve) blond bleached backs was being paid a season – $650,000. Thats way above what he could earn in league and even above the easy Japanese money – this same guy told me most of the players in Japan earn around 300,000 to 400,000 a season in Japan, but that it is worth a lot more because its effectively tax free and they live for free, plus get generous deals in putting up family – good house, cars, etc.
Your point is a good one on the ARU’s negotiating ability. Some reality and pay for performance alignment needs to occur. If this means more players going overseas, so be it. Its not as if the Walls and Australian rugby players are setting the world on fire anymore – no Australian team in the S14 semis, 2 S14 titles in 14 years, 7 years no Bledisloe, Quarter-final humiliation in the last world cup, wooden spoon in this year’s 3N.
stillmissit said | September 24th 2009 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Westy and Harry – I genuinely thought this practice would stop with O’Neil handling the control of negotiations. It is a bit understandable as they were trying to ward off attacks by rugby league, as in the amateur era, but even that is hard to understand given most people know what the leaguies get paid.
Overseas is a big call if you haven’t established your self in the Wallabies. The list is full of players who played less than 10 games and it makes up about 70% from memory. Hold on I’ll get the real numbers:
Players 492 >Ten games 62.80487805 One game15.04% two games12.60% 3 games 27.64%
My stats finish in 2006 with Sheehan on one game but I dont think that wil skew things too much.
Stash said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:49pm | Report comment
2,500 is chump change for a professional player of a world renowned sport.
If they want you to play then you deserve the pay. (It would have been cheap 2 weeks ago after they spanked the boks)
Come on you get paid more for holding tiger woods’ golf balls
Tahriffc said | September 23rd 2009 @ 10:56pm | Report comment
Bob McGregor said | September 23rd 2009 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
Here’s another approach to player payment in Tests.
Full negotiated pay for a win; 50% of pay for a draw and 25% for a loss and 15% if beaten by record scoreline. If greed is the motivating factor we should experience far more wins against top 8 countries in future.
If my memory is correct, ARL teams of the 50’s/60’s were paid on results. Perhaps the ARU should think along similar lines?
If money was the motivating factor then there would be a mass exodus to Nth Hemisphere for the ‘cash’. At least those that remained would have sacrificed to represent their country and odds would favour they would strive to nth degree and probably succeed.
Dingbat said | September 24th 2009 @ 1:15am | Report comment
It’s sad to witness this Aussie implosion.
allblackfan said | September 24th 2009 @ 8:07am | Report comment
Contrast this story with this one about Wellington’s All Blacks forsaking a Hawaiian holiday and two weeks leave to help their NPC teammates
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/2892317/Wellingtons-All-Blacks-shun-holiday
The contrast in attitudes couldn’t be more stark!
fox said | September 24th 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
Theere is a stark difference in attitudes, but these 3 players are playing for positions. As someone said earlier, the incumbents have no interest in playing internal trials or other matches because they are just that: incumbents.
bob said | September 24th 2009 @ 11:09am | Report comment
Sam T, I agree, there is a real need for a pro “attitude” to go with the pro conditions… and representing your country should be the aim, the dream… not the sports car that comes with it. But The squad isn’t that bad… it’s sickening when a team capitulates, on any level, but especially when they wear your nations shirt, and it makes you angry… but the squad, a week before were heroes… as most of us are players and ex-players, we need to remember that one bad game, or even one bad season does not equal disaster or treachery. The real isssue is where the young players are coming from, and wher ethe paying public are able to see high class club games… not just S14… the issue for me is that the whole depth of aussie rugby has be looked at… a few guys here have mentioned that the junior game is in trouble and I assume they have direct experience of the game, where I am just assuming and using anecdotal observation…. but something is wrong, and not just amongst the current wallabie, who I still maintain, are not that bad!
Harry said | September 24th 2009 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
Bob,
The fish rots from the head.
This week has revealed a dramatic and clear lack of leadership at both the ARU and the Wallabies playing and coaching leaders.
I 100% agree the structure under the Wallabies needs restucuring and deepening and more money spent on it. The problem is that Wallaby players are hogging the overwhelming bulk of the revenue and have adopted under RUA and “entitlement” mentality. There are very compelling arguments they are overpaid when benchmarking their remuneration and performance against 1) other nations and 2) other code in Australia. I strongly disagree the current playing sqad “aren’t that bad” … they have been content to settle for second-best for 6 years and counting, with little improvement demonstrated or, more tellingly, effort and will to improve demonstrated. During this time the team have pocketed large and I would contend undeserved rewards while the fabric of the Australian game has been seriously undermined.
Gerrard said | September 24th 2009 @ 2:35pm | Report comment
Damn and we were crucified for wearing armbands. They bring disrepute to the game and there NATION.
Mick of Newie said | September 24th 2009 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
Please ignore the following ignorant post from a non rugby person.
This current round gnashing of teeth is quite amusing. For the last 30 years I have watched a lot of sport and occasionally a bit of rugby. With the exception of a couple of periods NZ have been better than Australia. I am told historically SA were the greatest rugby nation.
My point is, isn’t the current season pretty much normal transmission for the Wallabies.
Worlds Biggest said | September 24th 2009 @ 5:10pm | Report comment
JON should have taken on Dempsey here. Any player not involved in the trial will not go on the Spring Tour. Could the Wallabies alienate there supporters any further from this point ?
Amband said | September 24th 2009 @ 9:59pm | Report comment
you wanna kow who’s ruining the game. Look at who’s running it! Same with any group, organisation of any kind
Amband said | September 24th 2009 @ 10:10pm | Report comment
Mould would make a good Wallaby coach
damos_x said | September 25th 2009 @ 10:35am | Report comment
would it be any wonder that the players have a look after number one attitude after they see team-mates shunted under the auspices of ‘dicipline’ issues when it suits the ARU ( Tuqiri) & their incessant recruitment of league players over developing talent ( no irony intended that both of these examples fit Tuqiri) so no wonder they are “greedy”.In fact the Tuqiri fiasco is the perfect example, his signing cost not only the millions in wages but also more than one younger player who would have received the benefit of the proper disbursement of these funds to training facilities etc. The whole period is stained by both the controversy of big money recruitment & the discipline or lack thereof shown by Lote at different times which affects public opinion & therefore the image & sponsorship thus further damaging rugby ( this is not a criticism of Tuqiri or his play etc, merely the view that for all the good it has been outweighed by the negative effects of the actions of the ARU) & to top it off the story ends with a completely bungled & possibly illegal sacking of a player who in the not too distant past was the man who was the face of Australian rugby. That no-one is fooled by the ARU’s insistence that it has acted properly in sacking him is another blow to such a proud & honourable sport. At it’s most extreme, public opinion now has the ARU seen as a bunch of liars who think we are all idiots & the Wallabies a lot of soft self-centred whingers more interested in accounting & hairstyles than getting blood on the sacred jersey. Harsh & mostly far from the truth but perhaps a spade really is a spade. For me the ultimate irony is that 2 former league players who shunned or were shunned by the ARU when changing codes ( Gasnier & Gower) will prove to have been among the best of the converts & they have had nothing to do with the ARU. What a contrast to the mess we have seen regarding the likes of Tuqiri & Rogers.
AC said | September 25th 2009 @ 11:16am | Report comment
Don’t know what you’re talking about regarding Tuqiri. Like any other employee, he was warned, warned again, and got sacked on his final indiscretion. Tough luck. Good on the ARU for being strong. Maybe I’m one of the fooled ones though, thinking that a sporting body actually has the guts to discipline players when the precedent from the other contact football codes is to molly coddle the players.
Chris Beck said | September 26th 2009 @ 2:02am | Report comment
Greg Russell’s comment above reminds me of a scene in the Clint Eastwood movie “Heartbreak Ridge.”
One morning Eastwood has the platoon out in front of the barracks and he says he wants the place all squared away for inspection. The platoon protests, so he takes a vote. “How many of you think the barracks is ready to go as is?” Everyone puts up their hands. “There you go – democracy in action.” Big smiles all around the platoon. Eastwood: “We’ll run instead.”