How much would you pay to vote on the make-up of a Wallaby squad for a one-off People’s Choice game? I know I would happily part with $20 to see my favoured players in the positions I wanted them to play.
Imagine it. Every Australian rugby fan with a mobile phone could participate – just like Australian Idol. No more complaining about Deans’ selection choices. No more complaining about the use of the bench. It would be the chance of a lifetime to influence the game plan direct from your lounge room.
How would it work? Simple: if you wanted Cummins in the outside centre jersey, you would text “Cummins @ 13” to 1900 Wallabies at a cost of 55c per text.
If you wanted Adam Ashley-Cooper subbed at the 50 minute mark, you would text “AAC sub @ 13 @ 50 minute”.
How much money could this raise? Who could predict? However, if the figures for the Australian Idol final back in 2008 are anything to go by, quite a bit. During the 2008 final, Channel Ten reportedly generated up to $785,000 an hour from voters.
Obviously our viewer numbers are not in the same ball park as Australian Idol, but given the level of frustration out there among fans, and if multiple votes were allowed, the figure could come as quite a surprise.
Maybe they could even incorporate a ‘no’ vote, like “NO Mumm @ 4”. Imagine how much that would generate!
And what to do with the money raised? How about funding the expected shortfall for a rejuvenated ARC, or throw some money at club rugby?
Involving the fans equals invigorating the interest.
Johnno
Guest
They should do something like this in the 3 week super 15 break would be great. They do something like that now in the english super league have some sort of exiles match vs the rest i think. It would be good money spinner and another chance for players to put themselves forwad. I love the NZ maori concept vs touring teams that is always a good money spinner for the NZRU. The maori team also have played NZ select teams too. So maybe have a barbarians match vs Australia A (with the public picking the barbarian team) or have a city vs country in rugby with players for country the reality is in that 3 week test window there is a lot that could be done other than 3 weeks of only 3 matches. All a bit idle and wasting precious money spinner time. Once concept that could be good money spinner have Australian all stars vs NZ maori would rate well and give left out players a chance to show there skills. or a super 15 exiles team vs the a super 15 all star team. (and incllude al the pI talent in the all stars plus players like cipriani. But i think an Australia A vs NZ maori would be a good match to have over that 3 test window weekend. Play the all star match on the friday night or during the day on saturday. Better than sending them back to shute shield for 3 weeks where they wont be able to make money for SANZAR or the ARU/NZRU o
sittingbison
Guest
yup, they'd all pick Dingos team %)
sittingbison
Guest
Wrong adjective TF, Australian Rugby is a lottery %)
Tarragon Fields
Roar Rookie
I say let them vote. If they want to pay money to the ARU charity then so be it.
Crazy Horse
Guest
limit to ARU registered people and you might control that to some extent, although there are a lot of South Africans and Kiwis playing in Australia.
Jagman
Guest
Not a good idea for test matches but maybe as a warmup game in June instead of playing against Shute shield level pacific island teams (not referring to Samoa during a world cup year). Could make a people's choice against the rest. People get to choose the first 22 then Robbie Deans or someone else gets to choose another 22 to face them.
Tarragon Fields
Roar Rookie
Australian rugby is essentially a charity...
sheek
Guest
Is this a serious post.....???
Albo
Guest
Haha. No doubt. I remember after the 2003 World Cup, one of the big UK papers ran their usual online voting system for British Sportsperson of the Year. It was obvious Wilkinson was going to be No. 1 with a bullet so an email went around Australia telling everyone to vote for Tim Henman. I must have received that email about 5 times from very different groups of people. I believe Johnny still won but Henman came embarrassingly close.
p.Tah
Guest
One flaw in the idea. There are far more Kiwi, South African and British and Irish rugby supporters than Australian rugby supporters around the world. I'm sure they'd love to get involved and pick the Wallaby team :)
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Rugby - The Peoples Game, I like it. There is merit in this but maybe in a one-off poss-prob or our SOO in the June break.
soapit
Guest
not a bad idea maybe for an australian barbarians match with the money going to charity. not too keen on devaluing the australian jersey.
bluerose
Guest
i like the NO Mumm example..........lol, its a good idea though, interesting year and interesting selections to look 4ward to