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Is Australian rugby that bad? You're having a laugh

Will Tearle new author
Roar Rookie
30th June, 2015
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Is Michael Cheika on his last legs as Wallabies coach? (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Will Tearle new author
Roar Rookie
30th June, 2015
235
4850 Reads

Is Australian rugby that bad? Over the past few weeks countless debates have been fought about the state of the game.

Last November we were the joke of the rugby world with no money, no coach and no expectation. We had our worst European tour in eight years, lost the Bledisloe Cup again and had been out scrummaged against every team.

However, fast forward seven months and for the first time ever an all-Australian Super Rugby final was a possibility. For the first time since John Connolly we have a world class coach and even have depth something inconceivable for rugby fans in Australia.

We have world-class players in David Pocock and Michael Hooper, both world-class flankers, and Israel Folau is the undisputed poster boy for Australian rugby. Not to mention emerging talent such as Nick Stirzaker, Jonah Placid and Jack Debreczeni coming through the ranks. The future looks bright for the Wallabies.

So what can the ARU do to increase the game’s popularity even more?

Well, to start with they need to increase funding for country rugby. Over the past week I have been a spectator at two thrilling games of country footy both watched on by passionate supporters who follow the game like a religion.

Country players make up the bulk of our junior representative teams. They need to take Super Rugby games to regional Australia places like Orange, Wagga Wagga or Toowoomba, whose populations would love to have a game of world-class rugby played in their own backyard.

Secondly, the ARU needs to get behind the Melbourne Rebels. Melbourne is the undisputed sports capital of Australia and is also home to the most open-minded sports fans in the country. If the Melbourne Rebels keep on growing into a formidable team, thus becoming more successful, the flow-on effect will create a greater awareness for the game.

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Lastly the ARU has to forget about the north shore and eastern suburbs of Sydney and focus on the wonderful west. Since the dawn of time rugby union has been seen as the code for the posh, however it is time to shrug off this tag.

How do we do this? Increase funding for western Sydney clubs and school rugby programs. Last weekend Penrith Emus were smashed 129-0 against Eastwood, this score line is astonishing and should not be happening in Sydney first-grade rugby union.

No person in Penrith wants to support a team that gets a cricket score against then every week. The other western Sydney team, Parramatta, are also coming second last this season with their only win coming against Penrith.

Lots of young talented football players would thrive playing rugby union, however are too embarrassed to play it instead of AFL or rugby league.

Even though we head into this World Cup with no expectations and a team that might not even get through the pool stages, there is a bright future ahead for the code. The ARU needs to work hard to make sure rugby union can stay great for a long time.

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