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The Waratahs were lucky to scrape by against the Force on the weekend. It was another bland showing, and a reminder of just how far NSW rugby has fallen since the days when Randwick, Manly, and the like were forces in local club rugby.
I see a direct link between the enterprising style of rugby NSW and the Wallabies played back in the late 80s and early 90s and the strength of the club competition at the time.
It’s no surprise that in 1991, when club rugby was still very strong, Australia won the second World Cup.
Back then, you’d get great crowds down at Coogee Oval and other suburban grounds to watch the various grades go around. And the players were in it for fun. Rugby was enjoyable to play and equally enjoyable to watch.
Some of you may recall that Randwick even played the All Blacks back in 1988.
The grades were full of older players who were happy to pass their experience onto the younger guys coming through.
And a positive cycle was established whereby the good young players, having benefitted from the wisdom of their more experienced teammates, would take their own skills to a bigger stage, before returning to club rugby to help develop the next breed of talent.
This seems to have all but disappeared from Sydney rugby.
Instead, we have a situation where the young guys come straight of school and want to know how much they’re going to get paid to play club rugby.
Back then, players flocked to Randwick because of the attacking style of play the club was synonymous with. These days, they go to University because of the scholarships on offer.
Whereas Randwick was all about running rugby, off the cuff flair, and exciting ball movement; University rugby, which currently dominates both the playing ranks and the mindset of the Waratahs coaching staff, is more concerned about structure and conformity.
One of the most important factors that many people have overlooked is that the majority of the Super 15 players originate from NSW. However, we seem to be doing little to continue this through mentoring and investing in the grassroots.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I see little emphasis on developing club rugby and the standard has deteriorated significantly.
Did you know that they have to pay the ABC to screen it because no one wants to watch it anymore?
In comparison, in South Africa and Hong Kong, where I now spend most of my time, rugby is televised almost all day, every day. We hear results on the news on TV, radio and newspapers. And it’s always a passionate talking point with everyone – even the ladies.
In NSW, the experienced old heads of club rugby are no longer playing the game. Professionalism put an end to that. The expectations of players across the grades have changed, and the older guys simply haven’t got time anymore. It’s just too hard.
The sad result is that no one is guiding the younger guys who are coming through the ranks. Club rugby should be about learning the game and trying to improve. But these days, it’s more about the money. Or at least, the prospect of it.
As result, a lot of the better young players have gone overseas. So now they’re lost to both club rugby and the Waratahs.
Things have got to change.
There needs to be a clean sweep of rugby in NSW and a new focus on building the grassroots, as my colleague at The Roar, Murray Mexted, suggested last week.
Otherwise, it’s a long, tough road ahead, especially when we’re competing on so many levels with the other winter codes who have really got a handle on these things.
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.