Is Australia a country divided by sport?

Gotta say it does leave me baffled that there is an element of Aussie society that doesn't get behind the Wallabies. Considering they are currently ranked as the 2nd best team in the world, in a major international sport like Union. There's not many international team sports that Australia ranks in the top 5 or so and considering the 'minor' profile rugby enjoys in this country the performance of the Wallabies over the years has been fairly impressive. I can only assume that the perceived class divide (ie. that rugby is a private school game, run by the old boys club etc) alienates the wider potential fan base and keeps it in the realm of a sport for the select few. I'd really like to see this attitude changed in Australia, I think the Union fans and administrators can shoulder some of this blame as Union fans seem to enjoy reminding others of our codes perceived superiority, particularly in regards to the education and intellectualism of the players and the business standing of the administrators. Some rugby fans tend to deal with other codes in a condescending manner, so we can hardly expect the non-Union followers to jump on the bandwagon when the Wallabies play. It's not the fault of the players, they're all there to play the game they enjoy and do their best to win for their country. On the flip side of the coin there seems to be a bit of a culture of fans from other codes who as a matter of principle talk down the game and will support opposing teams over the Wallabies, it's become a bit of an easy target amongst certain groups.....it's too complicated, too many rules, too slow, too many penalties, too many resets and too much kicking etc. Fortunately I think the attitude of Rugby being a sport for the select few is changing and it's becoming a bit more recognisable in it's branding and marketing. Playing trial games in regional areas helps this, as does some of the grass roots initiatives the ARU are implementing. At the end of the day though, regardless of the sport you're watching it's a shame that some Aussies would hope their own countrymen lose to a foreign team.

Dude those yellow jerseys are anything but cheap.....$170 bucks dayumn!

chris And what would that have looked like exactly?

RF It's 2011 yet the world these day always rely on stereotypes no matter what it is culture, sport, lifestyle, etc you would think the mainstream would be more open-minded and just accept people like & dislike certain things. There's no need for type-casting people into one group just because they like this or that and they don't approve of it. Bit off-topic but it relates to how fans of respective codes see each other since perception is reality.

They don't ban rugby league, they just don't take it up, mainly because they believe they don't adhere to their traditions and values, which are important to these schools. Also most don't ban them from playing league on the weekends, except perhaps the 1st 15 ., and they would be banned from most sports.

Cheers fro clarifying the irony in that statement Chris. @trumpetblower, really don't care, but I think chris clearly saw my point at Nick's statement. You people are just as arrogant and underhanded as well as ignorant of the facts as any Rugby supporter would ever be, the exact situations occur in both codes. @NF The stereotypes will always exist slightly forever unless there was ever an amalgamation. But I may add that its not only the private school elitists that conform to this image. In fact, the image of the blue collar worker in Australia, is so symbolic of Australianism in some cases, that Leagueys are just as likely to be elitist in being blue collar. TPN is Tatafu Polota Nau, waratahs hooker, very genuine and awesome person. You'd be surprised at the lack of support for communications knowledge for pro players in many of the codes. as for the old boyd brigade in general. Whether people like them or not, they are the pioneers and leaders in this country, and those who go anywhere join them eventually.

pretty much all of those areas would cheer for the USA, Wales, NZ etc national teams though. I don't quite buy Sherrin's arguement. I think that Australia is becoming smaller and smaller and increased internal migration will see a homogenisation of things such as sporting affiliations.

agree with your point that unique things should be preserved, but who are these Brits that want to talk about aussie rules before any other sport!

You aussie's wouldn't of had the problem of having AFL and NRL splitting the Australian sporting landscape into 2 as well as having the sometimes popular side shows of the real internationals of Rugby Union and Soccer if only the Sydney and Melbourne Footy guys had formed a real all australian Football code which nearly happend back in 1919/1933.

"Nau" not "Bau"

You got it around the wrong way. He was actually straight for once.

If you tell me who this Sheedy guy is first, I might tell you about Hindmarsh.

Yeah, I would like to know as well

So, who is Nathan Hindmarsh?

Lose.

Have to agree. The Germans for instance are the most boring people to talk to about sport. They only know anything about one really. They are sportingly naive.

Vegemite and kangaroos are unique. Should we dispose of them to become another bland member if the international sporting community. I don't like AFL but I am proud that there is at least one thing that is uniquely Australian. It's always the first sport English people want to talk to me about.

I would get behind the Wallabies if the jingoism ended. That pre match Waltzing Matilda has got to go. Cringeworthy.

Must be the lateness of the hour on a Fri arvo that now makes this thread come alive. How about adding to the discussion as to each codes favourite drink. I think the alcohol that's consumed alters the brain cells of all those fans. Not sure if it's quantity or quality. Maybe some of it's been spiked by all the international companies that now own most of it. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

Why do gps schools ban rugby league and ban players from playing rugby league on the weekends? Are any other sports banned?