10,000 fans attend Wallabies training session

Yeah Melbourne left me deflated during 2003. After the anticipation of finally watching live rugby in Melbourne, I was disappointed at the distinct lack of public interest in a world cup event from a city that proudly proclaims itself as the sporting capital of the world. There weren't any clashes with AFL games as the season had already ended so there was no excuse, I guess in Melbourne even though the ball may be the same shape if it's not footy then it's not worth their while. Even at the Bledisloe this year at the MCG it was bizarre the lack of atmosphere at the ground once the game kicked off, it was only later when the Wallabies scored their tries and won the game that the crowd got excited but until then it was flat and lifeless. Nothing at all like the atmosphere for the Lions test in 2001 but that was more due to the Barmy Army than local supporters.

I know what you mean about Melbourne - I went to a few matches at the 2003 World Cup on my way home from the UK and while in Melbourne for the 1/4 finals I was struck with how little the city seemed to have registered the fact that those matches were being played there. In Sydney there were billboards all over the place - you couldn't miss the fact that the Cup was on - while in Melbourne, the only signs were a few banners on streetlights and some AB/Wallaby/Bok jerseys and supporters gear in sporting goods shops. And when in both 1/4 finals there were thousands of empty seats in the upper decks (not that I was complaining - the ticketing agency upgraded my ticket and I ended up on the 10 metre line!). It did seem a bit ridiculous to me that while the NZ/Wales game pool match filled Telstra stadium, the prospect of two ex champ teams (ABs/Boks) couldn't fill the Telstra Dome. I think, maybe, that you're being a little unfair on Wales though - they're second only to NZ when it comes to rugby fanaticism and I'm sure the pool matches and 1/4 final will be big events over there also (and I'm gonna be able to see first hand how Wales & France react to the cup!).

Jerry - agree. What these attendance figures do indicate is that the French public have embraced the event and are coming out to support teams based in their towns and if that many people are watching teams train and pre sold tickets have exceeded the 2003 tournament then we are in for one hell of a tournament. I always thought that Australia had run the best world cup but France will surpass that and provides further proof that the world cup should only ever be hosted by one country in future. It's a shame that Scotland and Wales are hosting a few games as reports indicate that there is only lukewarm interest in the world cup in those cities and it will be a very different atmosphere for those teams that have to play there. Like when the All Blacks were based in Melbourne in 2003 and felt very removed from the buzz and excitement felt in the other cities. Playing before sold out stadiums will look fantastic on TV and the French will create a great atmosphere in a way only they can do. Pleased to read this morning that the IRB have stipulated to broadcasters as part of their agreement that no commercials are to be shown during games, that is one thing I really hate about watching games on network TV in Australia.

Simon - While I don't want to turn this into a "my dad is more popular than yours" on the day of the All Blacks welcome in Marseilles, Olympic Marseilles (the local football team) were playing a big fixture against Paris St Germain on TV.

I notice that only 3,000 people showed up to great the All Blacks! Is this a sign?

[...] The Wallabies always have the capability of winning it is just gathering the momentum in the tournament to give it a real shake that is now required. I hope the number of Wallaby fans will create the atmosphere in the stadiums to push the team on, much like the amazing welcome they have been given by their host city, Montpellier, who turned out in their droves to watch the wallabies open training session on Sunday - I have never heard of 10,000 people turning up to watch a wallaby training session! [...]

I agree whole heartedly. I think (please feel free to correct me) that the Wallabies are the only tier one nation to be branded rather than nationalised - perhaps the only RU national team (please feel free to correct me - I've not researched too thoroughly). The ABs are the New Zealand All Blacks, none of the six nation teams have nicknames that I can recall anyway, and the Spingboks are either the South African Sppring Boks or simply the Boks. Even Los Pumas have no commercial branding. It is a petty, pathetic piece of cynical marketing. Lose the Qantas part of the name, make it either just The Wallabies, or perhaps The Wallabies of Australia - after which, if needed, it can be qualified as "proudly supported by their primary sponsor, "insert name here".

Bless you Mick - that's how I feel. They're just the Wallabies dammit! I know it's an ARU press release but still! On another note - great to see the crowd at Montp. It's going to be a great city for the World Cup (and I'm going to be there!)

Please, as this is the world cup and jersey sposorship etc is not allowed, can we call our national team by its rightful name and not reduce it to a product. The Australian Wallabies. Or just drop the nick name and call us Australia. Please, just for these few weeks. For old times sake. PLEEAASE.