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For all my Kiwi compatriots out there, let me say it for you that there’s really not much chance of this happening. OK, now that’s done and dusted, let’s look at the real issues.
The mid to late 90s into the early 2000s was a watershed in Australian Rugby. The moons were aligned so to speak and Rod McQueen could do no wrong. Interestingly, the administration within the Australian Rugby Union appeared on song.
But what happened?
Change happened. Now, I’m a great advocator of change, not for change sake, but to improve a process, situation or outcome. I’m also an advocator of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
Change also brings new ideas to the table and whilst there was perceived depth in Australian Rugby, structures were not how they should be if we were to remain competitive and dominate on the world stage.
Our Super 14 (now 15) players were stepping up from the club scene and it appeared the gap between club (Premier Rugby) and Super 14 was significant. Both SA and NZ had that next tier providing the necessary competition so as the players were ‘battle hardened’ so to speak for that next level.
Enter the ARC. This looked the goods to allow Australia to have that next level of competition so as the Wallabies could remain a dominant force in provincial and world rugby.
So what happened?
Whilst change is inevitable, unfortunately management of that change isn’t! And whilst it was generally agreed this was the way forward, there didn’t appear to be the correct structures or resources allocated to such a bold move.
Subsequently, the ARC folded due to a lack of funds and a perceived lack of interest. I would have loved to have seen the business plan for this project! Who in their wildest dreams would have thought a project such as this would be a ‘cash cow’ in its first year of operation?
Clearly, the ARU was on the right track but had neither the long term plan nor commitment to see it through. I fear internal politics played a hand in this to some extent so it would seem, due to management changes; the scheme was doomed to failure.
Do we actually need this next level? From what I have read on this site and in other forums, I strongly believe it would benefit Australian Rugby moving forward.
However, there’s another thought process that would argue the structures currently in place for Australian Rugby are adequate and ‘why fix something that ain’t broke’. As a result, my great fear is that should Australia, against the odds, win the RWC, there will be a quorum of folk who will accept that everything is good with Australian Rugby so let’s not change for change sake.
We have depth and we have good, perhaps great players coming through our various systems. However, unless those players just shy of the Super 15 mark get competitive rugby above Premier level, I, like many other rugby followers, fear we may fall from the shaky position we currently hold.
More so, if we were to win the RWC there would be less chance of the correct structures being implemented. So, for the good of Australian Rugby, let’s not win the RWC.
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.