International Rules losing domestic, international appeal

Ireland players celebrate their win after the Second Test of the 2008 International Rules Series. Slattery Images

The International Rules Series is almost here. It’s that time of year where the world is reduced to just two nations as Ireland and Australia battle it out in the greatest hybrid sport since beer pong. So are you excited?

Going by recent trends you’re probably not.

Yes, much to the delight of those who call it a overrated novelty cash-cow, we could be witnessing the downfall of the International Rules Series.

Australian crowds at the International Rules Series have been dwindling. In 2003, a capacity crowd of 41,228 packed Subiaco Oval for the First Test, and 60,235 people watched the Second Test at the MCG.

Fast forward to 2008 (the last time the series was held in Australia) and the First Test at Subiaco attracted 35,153 patrons, while the MCG managed just 42,823 for the Second Test.

Etihad will host the First Test this year before venturing to Queensland for the Second Test. Though, if this attendance pattern is anything to go by, the 25,000 capacity Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast will be lucky to fill for the decider.

And things aren’t looking much better in the Emerald Isle.

In the past Irish crowds have been in excess of 70,000 for the International Rules Series. But even where the sport is more popular, interest is waning. At the First Test in 2006, Pearse Stadium filled with a capacity crowd of 35,000, and at Croke Park in Dublin it was another sell-out with 82,127 people. Though just last year as the Irish were looking to defend their 2008 title on home soil, only 30,117 turned out for the First Test at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick – a venue capable of holding 50,000 people.

Croke Park improved that figure in the Second Test, but 61,842 of the Irish faithful was nowhere near the 2006 mark.

Of course the GFC may have had something to do with the drop in crowd numbers in Ireland.

But maybe, just maybe, could it be that those Irish eyes just aren’t smiling at International Rules anymore?

If so, you could understand why. Though it’s easy to make the assumption that the Australians are at a disadvantage, I actually think it’s the Irish with the tougher job in the hybrid sport.

Firstly, in International Rules tackling is allowed. In Aussie Rules tackling is an essential skill (unless you’re a full-forward of course). But in Gaelic football shoulder bumps are as close to tackling as it gets, and AFL-style tackling is not the easiest skill to master in a few short weeks. Especially when you’re expected to bring 205cm ruckman, Zac Smith, to the ground.

Secondly, there’s the scoring proficiency. Now I know Aussie Rules is not played with a spherical ball, but if you can kick straight with a Sherrin, you can pretty much kick straight with anything! Sure enough, the All-Australians have had no trouble kicking accurately with the round ball in previous International Rules outings.

Bouncing the ball doesn’t get much easier either!

In another plus for the Australians, rule changes in 2008 reduced the playing time in International Rules from 80 minutes to 72 minutes. Knowing that most AFL matches have about 100 minutes of playing time while Gaelic football goes for 70 minutes, the All-Australians should be like Duracell bunnies.

This year in particular, it’s difficult to see Ireland cruising to victory. Not only will they play away from home this Series, but club commitments threaten to hurt the Irish squad.

While the AFL and All-Ireland seasons may be over, the Dublin Club Championship has just entered the knockout stage of the finals, and some of Ireland’s finest players (which could also include their captain Stephen Cluxton) will miss the International Rules Series as a result. In response officials have called for future tests to be held in December to cater for the Irish club schedule.

Considering all of these factors, you can understand why the Irish might be tiring of the sport.

Oh and we’re also beating them 6 wins to 5 on the tally.

I could be wrong. It could have nothing to do with the actual game at all. It might be the infamous fisticuffs in the concept sport which put some off.

Or it could be the sporadic two-year gaps between meetings from 2006-2010. Thankfully we’ll get to see the matches played for the second consecutive year starting on October 28. However we’ll have to wait another two years before the next Series in Ireland in 2013.

Despite the shambolic nature of this hybrid sport, there’s a lot to like about International Rules. It’s unique. It’s not international, but it’s unique. It’s fast-paced and requires remarkable skill all across the park.

But maybe we’ve finally had enough of it.