It’s not just televising the games either – it’s advertising. Who are the Reds? WIth Broncos, I know where and when they train, I know the places they hang out, I know the ex-players and where they work etc.
Roar spent a heap of money on advertising – they really forced their name down our throats – everyone in Brisbane knows who the Roar are.

I know *nothing* about the super 14 – I don’t even know who the teams are.

But free to air television is crucial if you want people to start supporting the game.

Seems like a catch 22. Won’t get on tree to air if nobody’s watching, but nobody’s watching coz we can’t see the games.

I’m going to follow the NFL – at least I can see that on One HD.

Rugby union is a minority sport in all of those nations, bar Argentina and France. The British introduced rugby union to the French and Argentines during the 1870s.

For your information, the British Empire held a strong link with South America until the 19th Century and, ties between England and Argentina remained close until the conclusion of WWII. There are over 500,000 British subjects living in Argentina.

Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Spain , Portugal, Russia, Romanian, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Tunisia and so on and so on. All have Rugby and have never been part of the British Empire. Once upon a time the sun never set on the British Empire but it wasn’t quite that big.

If that’s the case then why do you troll rugby league forums?

“its not our fault if your restricted to watching a rugby league competition from australia only.” — Siva Samoa

I’m happy with the NRL, Queensland Cup and Super League.

PS. It’s “you’re”, not “your”.

Rugby union’s foothold around the world is largely confined to the nations of the British Empire. The only reason the British Empire’s nations play rugby union is because the British military exported the sport to them during the late 19th and early 20th century. The reason the military exported rugby union to these nations is because the sport held strong ties with the establishment. It’s why nations like Argentina, Sri Lanka, South Africa, India, Zimbabwe and Canada play the sport while nations like China, Vietnam and Peru couldn’t care less about it.

Rugby league was never afforded the luxury of having the British military spread its tenets across the British Empire because it wasn’t made a military sport until the mid 1990′s.

For your information, the volleyball world cup is probably larger than the RWC. So is the cricket world cup.

so “Low Form” (woah clever)

you’re quoting american republicans now? you realise these are the same people who send their kids to (shock horror) private schools? and universities in the US who play Rugby?, this must mean all league people are from a niche market of private schools! and are also supporters of the republican party

still, you don’t say that i was wrong about the statement

The comments I’ve left under this thread are about “rugby union in Australia” because that’s the subject Matt raised. Duh! What do you want me to do, speak about rugby union in heaven whenever some one speaks about rugby union in Australia?

The reason I talk about “rugby union in Australia” a fair bit on the other threads is because this is an Australian website! It I wanted to talk about rugby union in New Zealand then I’d go to a New Zealand-based website. The fact you keep on diverting attention away from the discussion on rugby union in Australia proves you know just how unpopular the game is over here. It also suggests you’re bitter as hell because the country you live in, Australia, doesn’t rate your overhyped sport! It’s patently obvious that the reason you troll rugby league forums on the internet is because you cannot stand living in a society that upholds rugby league as its favourite sport. You’re probably too scared to turn the 6:00pm news on because you know what its sport report is going to focus on and, you probably avoid the news agency because you know what’s going to dominate the The Courier Mail’s sport section. It must be hard for you living in Queensland, a rugby league stronghold that doesn’t care about rugby union!

Only because the bigoted GPS system keeps rugby union alive in Brisbane. If the GPS system allowd its students to play rugby league over the last 80 years then rugby union would be extinct in Queensland — as it was when the GPS schools didn’t play rugby union. I think it’s sad that your sport’s existence in Queensland is dependent upon a few bigoted old losers refusing to allow 9 schools to play rugby league because it knows rugby league is superior. Many of the students who go to the schools listed under the GPS system play rugby league at the club level. The only reason they play rugby union for their schools is because they’re not allowed to play rugby league. The good thing is the short-sighted idiots from the GPS-based schools gave soccer and Aussie rules the means to kill push rugby union further down the pecking order when they allowed these sports into the curriculum.

“must really eat you up inside that rugby is more popular than rugby league on this planet.” — Siva Samoa

I’m angry about the oppression rugby league has endured over the last 100 years.

To be honest, all I care about is Queensland’s sporting landscape because I’ll never live anywhere else.

The opening paragraph to Josh Rakic’s article It’s too much for a game to bear is the best response to the aforementioned drivel.

“AMID a sports administrator’s nightmare scenario of plummeting television ratings, poor attendance figures, a demise in public interest and a struggling national team, the Australian Rugby Union is also believed to be battling to retain its $6 million-a-year sponsorship with Bundaberg Rum.”

Speaking about sponsors turning their backs on the Wallabies…

“Ford and Vodafone – neither of which returned calls – have already declared their intent to cease their sponsorships of the Wallabies.”

Oh dear! Rugby union sure is in a bit of trouble, isn’t it Matty?

Speaking of money’s ability to speak and its relationship with television ratings…

“The highest-rating 2008 Bledisloe Cup Test achieved 727,000 on Channel Seven, a massive 206,000 more than 2009. Both were out-ranked considerably by the ARL Kangaroos Tests.

…

Statistics show the average NRL TV audience of 532,000 a game outshone the highest-rating free-to-air Bledisloe Cup match by 11,000 viewers.”

“Free to air can’t even afford union” — Matt

The CEO of the Queensland Reds, Peter Lewis, offered a different picture to the one you’re trying to paint.

“”Free-to-air television doesn’t want us”

Living in a state that couldn’t care less for rugby union must really eat you up. You probably stab your pillow in your sleep whenever you think about Queensland’s apathy for kick and clap, sorry, I mean rugby union.

What do you call the “pick and drive” strategy that is utilised in rugby union? Isn’t that just a form of “bash and barge”?

Rugby league players have superior ball skills, are better ball runners and stronger tacklers. Most rugby union forwards are as clumsy as a drunk when it comes to holding onto a football and passing it. Seeing the fat buggers in rugby union trying to run is hilarious!

Rugby league’s popularity and footmap in Australia has grown. Rugby union’s popularity is on the wane.

Looks like rugby union is the one that’s more likely to “die soon”, isn’t it Matty?

“ILeague will be played by pub teams by people who don’t have the intellect to play union.” — Matt

You mean they’ll all be an uneducated as Siva, Gorganites and you?

And here’s my favourite!

“Free to air can’t even afford union” — Matt

Ha! The terrestrial television commercial networks in Australia couldn’t care less about rugby union because it doesn’t draw high ratings. The last two ANZAC Tests between the Kiwis and Kangaroos have smashed the Bledisloe Cup in the ratings! Says a lot about the so-called “appeal” of rugby union’s international game, doesn’t it?