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Here’s a novel thought: ARU supremo John O’Neill calls the five Australian provinces together for a high level summit meeting. Each province arrives with their CEO, head coach, operations officer and financial officer, to be joined by the ARU’s CEO, high performance manager, rugby operations manager, financial manager and national coach.
That’s 25 people to nut out the future direction of professional Australian rugby.
O’Neill tells the assembled head-honchos that they must co-operate for the benefit of Australian rugby, and put the interests of the game above any self-interests.
O’Neill further tells the gathering the fiasco of 2005-06 when the WA Force entered the super rugby comp, must be avoided, never to be repeated.
Back then the Queensland Reds suffered disproportionately to the other Aussie franchises, losing more players to the Force than anyone else. With disastrous consequences to their immediate and short-term well-being.
The ARU then under the stewardship of Gary Flowers did little to nothing to prevent the blood-letting suffered by the Reds.
O’Neill tells the gathering the existing 4 provinces must all give a little, more or less in proportion with their respective strength, to help the Rebels in the short-term.
For example, the ACT Brumbies have 3 top quality flyhalfs. Only one can be in the run-on XV at any one time. While a second might come off the bench. Which means the third cools his heels in the stands.
This third player could be lent to the Rebels for two seasons, where presumedly he would benefit enormously with plenty of on-field time. He would then return to the Brumbies a much better player.
Already in both New Zealand and South Africa we see this kind of co-operation that is non-existent in Australia. NZ provinces regularly loan players from a position where they might be strong to another province that has a paucity in a particular position.
In SA this year, Northern Transvaal lent a lock to Natal to help through a critical injury crisis in this position.
Obviously, transfers/loans would have to be on a volunteer basis. No-one can be forced to relocate against their wishes. But surely, there must be young Australians with a thirst for adventure, and a desire to be part of something new, a frontier spirit.
Furthermore, the gathering itself would need to work through the details of how they would manage this situation.
Unfortunately in Australia, the provinces behave like scorched outback farmers and their water – it’s a precious commodity, and there’s too little of it, so they horde it for themselves.
There’s a saying that the secret to a winning team is when the sum of the whole is greater than its individual parts. This means everyone working together for the greater good of the whole rather than focusing on themselves.
Now that’s a novel thought: putting country before self!
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.