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No one can argue that Rugby Union in Australia is experiencing many problems including areas such as laws, scoring systems, players, commentators and competitions.
Just some thoughts of mine:
Commentators
I am so, so sick of commentators that don’t know the laws. Even the guy on the ABC got the definition of a tackle wrong on the Shute Shield last Saturday. Don’t get me started on Seven or Fox. They are the ones confusing spectators and new people to the game. Continual law training must be done by these people.
The presentation of games is so important but I have yet to hear a good caller (one with radio or racing training) that can call the whole game. Our colour commentators are also debits to the presentation.
Competitions
I believe three games playing each side in the Tri-Nations is too many. Scale back to two and quit the excuses and include Argentina. They don’t need to be in Super Rugby to be in the Four-Nations.
We can even have a third Bledisloe game if we want to pawn that off, but please not four! We may make more money this way, but it lessens the value of a test over time.
The future looks somewhat bright for this new Super 15 competition which should hopefully get more prominence with favourable timeslots.
I still fail to understand why the Waratahs never leave Sydney (SFS) and play one or two games a season in Wollongong/Newcastle/Western Sydney (Homebush is not Western Sydney)/Central Coast. It doesn’t need to be the biggest game, just marketed well. I believe they would be surprised with the uptake.
In terms of a national competition, I really have to side with John O’Neill. It would be lovely, yes, but that has been destroyed by the self-interest of the clubs. The Super 15 is probably the best we can hope for in the next couple of years.
This is the end of my ranting.
By the way, this was my first article on the Roar, but I have been on the site for quite a while.
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.