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To kick-off, I have been involved in the game of rugby union for close to 39 years. I have played, coached, refereed and also been lucky to be involved in broadcasting and promotion of the game in various capacities in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
I think it’s fair to describe myself as a loyal supporter of the game. I also enjoy catching up on the various stories and opinions that are published on The Roar by all sports followers, not just my own preferred code.
In saying that though, there is one thing that I have just about had enough of and that is the constant bickering that develops on the threads when the topic of television coverage is raised. Can we please just put it to bed once and for all? (I am including Ray Masters from the SMH in this as well, just in case he is the planning stages of his next propaganda piece!)
The fact of the matter is that money talks. I, personally, couldn’t give a fiddlers how much the AFL and the NRL are going to get from their respective broadcasters for their next rights deal.
Commercial reality will dictate the price that the networks are going to pay for that content. No amount of bickering or complaining is going to change the fact that the majority of people (in Australia) prefer to watch NRL or AFL. I and many others may not particularly agree with that but, unfortunately, this is the case.
While on the subject of coverage, there are more than enough outlets that provide coverage of rugby union across multiple media platforms. When comparing the coverage of NRL, AFL and Union, when is too much?
The All Blacks announced some of the squad for November and that didn’t get much, if any, coverage in the mainstream press. The Shute Shield gets little or no coverage in the same publications, but do I still manage to get the information that interests me? The answer is a resounding yes.
Now before anyone gets up on their high horses and starts off about the reality of the professional game and the need for more money to be injected into the game, I would urge calm and thoughtfulness. It may sound primitive or even simplistic but like in any business, you have to look after your own turf first.
Rugby Union has been doing this since its inception. That is why it is successful. No, it may not be the biggest sport in Australia, or the world for that matter, but does it have to be? We are just the custodians of our game, be that as fans of the top level professionals or the linesmen and women of the under 11s, and if we continue to look after our own, the future will be fine.
So, the next time anyone is thinking of re-launching the old television coverage chestnuts, pause, crouch and (maybe) engage (YouTube)?
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.