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.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Why would a city that remains more than twice as large (and back in 95, before Brisbane's huge recent growth would have been effortlessly three times larger) send one (1) club to join a smaller cities competition? If it went pro, just as happened in Rugby League (but over a longe period), the players would have migrated to where the money was/is - Sydney.
The Bush
Roar Guru
You're right, it was Newcastle. Actually, one of the problems for Argentina has been trying to prove to their SANZAR partners that they actually do bring in any revenue, TV or otherwise...
Eamon
Guest
The boring style of play that Campo is talking about does not necessarily go hand in hand with being played money to play. I play Sydney amateur level rugby and have played countless boring structured games with endless kicking and line outs, no one was getting played but the style of play was tedious. Conversely the winners of the 2011 Super Rugby title, the Qeensland Reds, played a very exciting (successful) opportunistic style of rugby and every one was getting paid. The Sydney premier club rugby competition, Syd Uni, Randwick ect, can pay exciting rugby, why not? Its about attitude.
AndyS
Guest
I think it might be slightly different demographics though. As I see it, at the professional level you would have Super rugby as now. This would be followed in the later part of the year by the Wallabies. In parallel with the Wallabies, all the fringe players, remaining SR players, academies and most promising developing players would play in a professional/semi-pro ARC competition run by the clubs themselves with private investment and/or equity. In terms of attendees/viewers, everyone gets behind the wallabies as you note. But for anyone who simply likes watching the game, the ARC will normally be the only game in town - there is only one Test a week and half the time it is in another country. What you would be relying on is that with the competition being managed by the clubs for their own benefit, they would be highly motivated to promote it and make it the best product they could. It is how the Europeans run their comps, so let's learn a lesson but at a level where they can't hijack the game. On the amateur side, club rugby would continue much as now. During the overlap with Super rugby, a lot of folk will tend to go to both as the games are on at quite different times. Once it goes to the ARC though, a great many will start to focus more heavily on the club game as it starts to approach the interesting end of the season. At the end of it all you have an ARS type tournament just like the good old days. It is not a case of manufactured teams - it is a return to state/regional based amateur teams. There is always a distinct tribalism to that sort of match, there'd only be a few of them and they could be pretty big events. I'm not a huge club watcher, but I'd show up for that in state colours.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
I may be familiar with that article.
Lorry
Guest
AndyS point taken... the problem I see though is that how are you going to get people interested in new regional teams, just based on the suburb/area of Aust they happen to be living in at the time? Rugby in Aust has never been tribal in that way. The Wallabies have long been by far the most important rugby side in Aust - the same cannot be said of the kangaroos and can only recently be said of the Socceroos... After the wallabies, a long way down, comes NSW, QLD etc... Then a long way after that comes clubs. Right?... What sort of crowd numbers are we expecting at propoosed ARC games? More than club but less than NSW games? Who would be going to these games that doesn't go to club games? It would only be diehards I feel because the famous faces wouldn't be there... they'd be playing in expanded super comp or wallabies I used to think an ARC would be great, but now I just think a national club comp with existing clubs is the way to go,,, Im not really a club rugby watcher and i dont have a team, though i do go to a couple of shute shields a year... but i cant see how those diehards are going to support west sydney rams say,,,
AndyS
Guest
I think you've missed Campo's point entirely though Lorry. My interpretation was that club rugby was at it's best when it was amateur and people played because they loved it, not trying to make a living out of it. Super Rugby and perhaps an ARC-type competition should be the means of advancing folk with those ambitions, while the clubs go back to their roots without the stress and strain of trying to buy success. Maybe look at an ARS style comp as the absolute pinnacle of the state-based club comps, but don't mix it up with the ambitions and politics of the professional game. A national club competition would entrench the very thing Campo is speaking against - teams looking to get professionals, buy success, exclude the best of the amateur game from participating, etc.
steve.h
Guest
Don't forget that South Africa brings in most of the money and pay most for the rights! South African Super rugby games are also shown at Europe friendly times where the biggest concentration of rugby supporters are including many expats from the three nations live and work. Face it your stuck with us!!!! But hey we like you guys so its okay. Friends?
Lorry
Guest
I agree Jimmy the clubs are what it's all about... they shouldn't be amalgamated Just make a national club comp with the current teams and a relegation to subbies system each year for the bottom few...
Lorry
Guest
Justin the mods certainly seem to have it in for you!!! Big brother is watching!!! Good one CAMPO, agree with MOST out what you say, and thankfully that link to Spiro's great article was provided... nice one
nomis
Guest
http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/07/18/the-australian-rugby-shield-should-be-our-blueprint-for-a-future-national-competition/
drama city
Guest
Thanks Whites. My idea for a 6/6 split for SA and Argentina was on the basis of equity. Historically Agentinian provinces have proved difficult to beat for touring sides - think Queensland in the past. Argentina has over 100,000 registered rugby players and has a 40 million population. It has drawn large crowds for internationals in Buenos Aires and in the provincial capitals and I would be surprised if conference and cross-over games there drew any less than that achieved in Australia and New Zealand. I personally think a 16 team (eight from Australia and New Zealand is too much) and 22 rounds is too long as the international aspect of rugby (3 test tours from the NH in June and the SANZAR Quad Nations in September/October) should be preserved as it's the point of difference with NRL and AFL I still can't see the benefits of a global season. At present the NH plays late August to end May with outgoing international tours in June. Players then have two months break. Nobody works, for example in France, mid-July to end August (when it's often over 35 degrees) and nobody is interested in playing or watching rugby at the time. The season in the Southern Hemisphere lasts from February to October with outgoing international tours in November. Players then have two months break. It's all a question of climate and for me 'vive la difference.' But it's good to read and debate your fresh proposals on revamping Trans-Tasman rugby and other topics.
Tim
Guest
According to The Australian and Courier Mail he has had a stroke, the Royal Brisbane has confirmed he has been admitted but that is it.
King of the Gorgonites
Roar Guru
Some sad news coming out of brissy that Michael lynagh has taken I'll. Anyone got any word?
Johnno
Guest
I agree p.tah. 1.2 million in Adleiade in tv ratings there for the taking. Adleaide oval is getting a renovation to 50k-60k stadium. Adleiade is closer to Sydney-Brisbane-Canberra-Melbourne, than what perth is so cheaper for fans watching away games, and also for Adelaide team to get away fans in eastern states. Adleaide teams have had success in national comps, and if the re teams do well they are good at rallying local support. Canberra has a rugby history but far smaller than Adelaide as is Newcastle, and gold coast even. ANd Brett with the Asia-pacific argument I have is this. The time zone difference and airfare travel costs. Aust is only 1 or 2 hours ahead max of Tokyo, HK, and SIngapore, so far more tv friendly. I think a Japan team with some friendly import rules, and some good local talent would easily be able to field a competitive super 15 team by 2015. Honkers and singapore bit big expat populations, and big money $$$$, and you could have an unlimited import rule for them, or they only have to field 1 or 2 locals they would find some good backs. USA argument is this they are in Aisa-pacific at least California one of the largest economies in the world, and Hawaii 1 million plus population majority are polynesians. South africa/argentina are tope ten rugby nations and big populations, but they are not in Asia-pacific, there natural home is Africa/South America. ANd some of the tv ratings for the south afircan leg of matches have been awful because of the awful timezones. You would not get that in Asia because of friendly time zones. You would ge tbad timezones in LA or Hawaii but they are in Asia-pacific.
p.Tah
Guest
I just think you're under estimating Adelaide's potential Brett :)
Brett McKay
Expert
So Johnno, you want a global calendar, an Asia-Pacific focus for Super Rugby with teams from lesser rugby nations like Japan, Singapore, Honkers, ad the US, but you'd drop two top ten countries to do this. And you're "..amazed super rugby finds the money to fund this super logistically expensive regular season competition" NOW?!? Think about what you're saying, mate!!
Brett McKay
Expert
Dingo, Jake White realised Fotu Auelua was fit and ready to go when in his first run for Wests, he knocked some poor bloke out! 26 have gone to South Africa, for eg, so that leaves roughly ten (give or take injures) running around in ACT clubs..
Tim
Guest
Campo, you are speaking to much sense and therefore the ARU will not listen. I read above that the Hospital Cup should revert back to amateurism, it already is. The only club that really pays players in Premier Grade is Sunnybank and the only reason they can is that they are a new thinking club and set up a community club with pokies etc. Rugby could learn from the rise of Sunnybank as it came out of the ashes as a dodgy Sub Districts club to one of the strongest Premier Rugby clubs. On the idea of a national comp it will not happen anytime soon. The ARU had their chance after the 2003 WC. The Australian public was incaptulated by Rugby, everyone was talking about it including league fans, AFL fans, Football fans etc. But they did nothing apart from bank the money and did not ride the wave of support Rugby was receiving by setting up a national comp. Unfortunately now and even back in 2003 there is to much opposition from the old guard in both Brisbane and Sydney. But if they were to open their eyes and come out of the port and cigar room, they will be able to see that the NRL and AFL have national comps and still have thriving club competitions.
steve.h
Guest
Most of the association football teams in Europe are running at huge losses. Its the nature of professional sport.