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Despite Greg Growden’s lobbying in the SMH and the much touted claims that the Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) is the “spiritual” home of Rugby in Sydney the facts are apparent. The SFS is a small ground and for the Wallabies v Barbarians game, the fans did not fill it.
Will they if its capacity is 55,000?
The attendance was not at maximum and there were still over 5000 unused seats the day before the match. Why?
Is it time for the Rugby intelligentsia to start thinking?
If Sydney rugby is to grow it must move beyond the lower north shore, the eastern suburbs and the Manly peninsula.
Trying to claim that SFS will win the fans appeals to this stereotypic group but not to the real rugby public.
The insular groups that want to hold on to a past class based status for rugby are at worst self serving.
The real test will be when the Wallabies play at the Olympic stadium. Will they draw better than 39500 to a game against a less star studded and publicity enhanced (Sonny Bill Williams) Barbarians team?
My bet is that it will. Why?
Because those west of Central Station will add to the crowd!
Why else would the hierarchy even be consider a super 15 franchise for Western Sydney?
The reality is that public transport is to the door. If driving, parking is a few minutes easy walk.
Forget all the claims about no pubs – if all those who attended the SFS on Saturday evening went to a local pub the lack of service complaints would embarrass even the NSW government.
But why has the Olympic stadium such a bad image – there are many local pubs. Is not one owned by a renowned Wallaby family?
The restaurants in Concord, Strathfield, Homebush and Flemington rate in the good food guide.
But, where do the “rugby writers” live?
Let’s throw away the baggage of past generations.
Sydney does not have a “Lang Park” but if we want people at the games then we must promote the Olympic stadium and enhance its appeal to all of Sydney – and not keep appealing to the local few.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.