Since the inaugural Super rugby tournament in 1996, the team that calls Moore Park their home ground have laid false claim to representing NSW. They even have the temerity to use the state’s flower as their logo.
New South Wales Waratahs. It’s a fallacy. To even call themselves the Sydney Waratahs would ring false but for the two or so games a year they play at Homebush (the first of which, against the Reds, would not have even sold out the SFS this year).
There is a quick, logical way for the Waratahs to turn around their tumbling home ground average and, with it, possibly start winning again – actually play for the state of NSW.
This would be dead easy, as evidenced by Tuesday evening’s Wallabies versus Scotland game played at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle.
Wallabies captain David Pocock sent an open letter to the Newcastle Herald on the Wednesday, praising the Newcastle crowd for their support of a losing side.
“‘To see over 20,000 people brave extreme conditions most of us had never experienced before, let alone also played a game in, was incredible, and is something the players will speak about for a long time to come,” he wrote.
Indeed the weather conditions were extreme, probably – as Pocock said – extreme to the point most had never seen. Unless you were from Newcastle.
The conditions on display were something similar to a storm which hit the town almost five years to the day earlier. A storm which saw a bulk coal carrier washed up on Nobbys beach and 10 people die.
Nevertheless over 20,000 people turned up in this abhorrent weather to support Australian rugby. Just think how many would have turned up if the weather hadn’t been reminiscent of a death-storm.
It was a testament to the people of the Hunter and not only their love for the game of rugby union but, as Pocock wrote, “also for their country.”
The people of Newcastle also have a strong passion for their state. And most of them aren’t aware that the Waratahs aren’t really representatives of NSW.
Were the Tahs to move two games a season north, they could, weather permitting, guarantee 60,000 bums on seats for those games.
For an organisation which has averaged just a smidge over 20,000 people per game for the 2012 season, these extra 20,000 people over two matches would be both money in the bank and priceless support for a team which has been booed off the field on more than one occasion this season.
But why stop there? Isn’t it time the NSW Waratahs started actually representing the entire state?
How about they start playing the odd game in Wollongong, Sutherland or Gosford? Hell get some balls and play a game out at Penrith instead of just sitting back and letting rugby league and AFL fight over Sydney’s west.
For far too long the Waratahs have made the claim to being NSW’s rugby union team, all the while bemoaning the falling crowds and the difficult market they have to exist in – what with there being nine NRL and now two AFL teams to compete with in Sydney.
When people think of the Newcastle Knights or the Brisbane Broncos the term that instantly comes to mind is ‘one team towns’.
Well the Waratahs are a one team state. They have the potential – and brand – to harness over seven million supporters.
Instead they play all their games bar two out of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, regarded as the most fickle area for sport supporters in the country.
It’s time to take their name seriously and begin representing all of NSW.
Because, as Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union president Phil Payne promised, “If the Waratahs don’t want to come we will go to the Brumbies and other provinces.”
After almost 20 years of being neglected by ‘their’ state, it could only be considered fair enough.
Follow Joe on Twitter: @joebfrost
bigbashe69
Guest
How could the Waratahs ever represent all of NSW when the Brumbies represent the Southern Highlands, South Coast and Reverina?
Damo
Guest
Jdub , since this thread began it occurred to me that if the Tahs were sent to a regional centre (like Newcastle or somewhere else) it might serve to reinvigorate the Shute Shield. Not that developing the bottom tier would be the central intention of the exercise.
jdubya
Guest
I live in the Eastern Suburbs and the Roosters and the Rabbitohs are far more represented than the Waratahs, this may be because they are having a shocking season, but I think the Tahs heartland nowadays is the North of Sydney - across the bridge, especially since the good old days of a strong domestic competition are long gone. I remember as a kid going down to watch Randwick playing Easts or Sydney Uni but only the diehards are left watching these days. We lost a lot when we took the emphasis away from the local comps and into Super Rugby but hopefully we can get it back.
Damo
Guest
Yes gee the traveling rugby show is one option worth considering. If adopted the ARU should support it with marketing funding in Australia's most populous state.
gee
Guest
Trial games should be played in country towns like Tamworth,Nowra, Orange etc. as they already are. For Super games have 1/2 game/s at Newcastle,1 at Wollongong,1 possibly at Penrith, 2 at Homebush the rest at SFS , think that could work ok as everyone gets the see bit of rugby
Bakkies
Guest
Canberra doesn't have a stadium big enough to host marquee tests
wallaby fan
Guest
A ridiculous comment. Canberra is a country town and we would not want our international visitors seeing canberra. It would be so undewhelming I'm sure word would get out that we are backward and we'd be invaded within 2 years.
wallaby fan
Guest
I'm not against taking one game away but there are 5millionpeople in sydney. that is the market to concern ourselves with. Besides i know tonnes of people that travel down from tamworth, cowra, coffs etc etc and make a weekend of it in sydney the most beautiful harbour city in the world. Do the tahs not play warm up matches out in the sticks?
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Great post p.Tah. wasn't keen on moving some games out of greater Sydney but you convinced me. It does make sense.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
BBOB, Partly agree with the Stockade concept, but may I remind you that monicker is now the sole property of the Rebels, we are prepared to fight for it. But... just as Steve Waugh took NSW to various venues so could the 'Tahs. You may remember Coffs was packed. Suitable grounds all over the state are available as are temporary stands (which could work out to be cheaper than the current stadiums). The repayment will be in memberships, merchandise and good will. We all have an obligation to spread the word and things like coaching clinics, skills classes etc make an indelible memory for youngsters when they meet the players and are inspired by them. Can't imagine finding a significant number of ex-pats in Moree, Canowindra or Mudgee to support the opposition either. All venues are an agreeable train ride. What better plan could the organisation have especially when they have been so dismal for years now. It would be nice for them to look into the face of bushies and see the determination, forebearance and toughness which is mother's milk out there and compare that with the latte and chardonnay set in the Emerald City. Like the 'Saders last year they could hit the bedouin trail and build the image of both themselves and the game.
Damo
Guest
Agreed Ptah very interesting demographics there. With that understanding, could the Tahs do any worse, fan-wise, if they were based in Newcastle? Very interesting reading regarding the NZ teams also. A few of us have been putting the issue of 'Venue' on the 'Tah Debate' table for over 12 months now. For mine it seems to be a key ingredient in the proposed transformation from a team of cozy underperformers cheered by polite eastern suburbs clapping (or groaning) into a mob of passionate mongrel underdogs. I don't care if it's parramatta, blacktown, penrith, dubbo or Newcastle - the Tahs need an homogenous mob that will back them come rain, wind or snow. And we've just seen how keen Newcastle are for elite rugby. Maybe it makes sense. Joey might even come out of retirement to play 10. Hue beaches there might be an attraction for the players too. The Tahs have a culture vacuum. It has an historical structural base. Part of structure is venue and engagement with the fan catchment community. It is irrelevant that the Tahs have a potential fan base of millions in Eastern Sydney. It is the actual fan base that matters. The one that is left when hyped up afl and nrl have taken their cut. And how the average fan behaves decibel wise when watching. I'd bet 10k in Newcastle would lend more support than 15k at SFS or Stadium OZ. Venue Change Is a crucial element in the structural changes required at the Tahs. It could be Newcastle or Penrith or wherever the demographics stack up. It's time that the Tahs did some real marketing, instead of just shining a torch from Moore Park
Gary
Guest
Some very interesting comments have been offered on this topic and I agree with almost all of them to some degree. What strikes me is they suggest to me that the ARU has some major issues to deal with. The franchises and rugby going professional have contributed to raising the general standard at the top level but sadly, as we all seem to agree they truly do not represent. And sorry Big Baz but I don't think the Reds represent Qld - just the same as the Rebels could not pretend to represent Vic. Rugby is still alive in this country and a good example was provided by P.Tah about Gosford and the Central Coast of NSW. It would be great if we could see another team grow from that or even FNQ. Hang on: might that look a bit like setting up some sort of semi-national representative competition and providing some sort or goal for our future young players. A "Currie Cup" type affair. Nah. Self-serving old school established clubs and the franchises themselves would sink that. Where is the money in it. In the meantime, and not withstanding the potential loss of earnings to the franchises from corporate boxes and other deals, I like the example set by our Cuzzy Bros and take the game on the road. And follow some AFL example and get our stars off to school and junior rugby training sessions. Brisbane Lions (never were Qld Lions) get stronger by the day
glacier
Guest
Brilliant post p.Tah. One Waratahs Super 15 game per year in Newcastle is a 'no-brainer'.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
You have a valid point Gary. I've just given a suggestion of first things first, as a starting point that I feel could give the Tahs a chance to rebuild into a proud team with the right culture and a strong supporter base. I'm certainly no expert and there's probably better ideas out there. But something needs doing and it needs doing soon.
p.Tah
Guest
Newcastle has the largest RU comp outside of Sydney and Brisbane. It's larger than the comp in Canberra who provide players for a super rugby franchise. Newcastle is and will always be a League town, but there is a very very strong rugby community. Look at how many Union articles are in the Newcastle Herald each week. In the lead up to the Wallaby test the number of articles in the Herald increased substantially. It was even on the front page. How often does that happen? Before the Wallabies game there were an u15 school girls 7s final. The girls were from the local area. There was also a boys regional 7s final with boys from Hamilton and Tamworth. In the stands there were quite a few Knights jerseys. These supporters where showing that they are League fans first, but are willing to sit through horrendous weather to support a rugby match. I can gaurantee that many of these people wouldn't travel to Sydney to watch a Waratahs game.They came because it was in their back yard. Taking these games to regional and Country areas helps connect and extend the supporter base and increases the media reach of rugby. The Waratahs are NSW's team they need to beter show that. Each year the tahs have Country week tied in with a super rugby game. Wouldn't it make more sense to have this game in a regional or country area? In NZ the teams travel around their region. The Crusaders were forced to because of the earthquake, but they played in Nelson and Timaru. The Highlanders have played in Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown.The Hurricanes, Chiefs and Blues also take games around their regions. Despite travelling, their main stadium is still a fortress but they are very well connected to their regions. The Tahs need to be innovative. It may upset some of the members if they lose a game from their season package but they've got to look at this more broadly. GWS has the right idea. They have games in Canberra and Sydney. I think they made a mistake with the name GWS to support this concept, but they are smart enough to realise the potential of the 'roaming' strategy. The Wagga Wagga council is even paying them to take trial games to the region.The Waratahs need to look further than Sydney's East and North. A trial game or a "B" side game in the June test perioid may be a good way to dip a toe in the water, but people want the real deal. A Super Rugby game should go to Newcastle.
Bozo Gummo-Zeppo
Guest
I hear that Blacktown has a vacancy
Damo
Guest
Big Baz, convince us that you are not trolling. It's not about whingeing. It's about improving an underperforming rugby organization. An organization that you seem hardly interested in. So could you leave the conversation to the locals please. You're looking a bit like a know-all kiwi on a wallaby thread. Blinky I live in the north east of Sydney and I want the team to move west and out. So you can't call my argument 'self interested'. The point is well made in the article. The team from Moore park has become a team that connects with a fraction of it's potential fan base. Going to the western suburbs and the regions is the obvious path to developing a broad fan base (and player catchment and media visibility) . The elephant in the room is holding up a sign saying 'Get out of Moore Park'. I cannot see the logic in the resistance to this idea. If there has to be 'One Fortress', then it should be between parramatta and penrith.
p.Tah
Guest
What is the difference between a 5/8 and a fly half :)
Joe Frost
Editor
Townsville is the only ground which would hold them til last year when they started winning. Before that 20000 was a good crowd at a Reds game. The lean years will come again and with them lean crowds. Representing your whole state isn't pandering to whingers, it's just good business.
Gary
Guest
Fair call Blinky Bill but I also take the point about "NSW" Waratahs. That was once the case where players were "selected" to represent their State. The modern franchises have nothing to do with State representation. Call the Sydney Waratahs if one feels a geographic tag is needed in the name. Same applies to the Brisbane Reds. Get on board with the other franchises: Rebels, Brumbies and Force. Not too hard and what is in a name. The bigger issue at stake is that the franchises have effectively killed local allegiances. What do the up and coming players have to aspire to? Representing their State? Sorry...that was yesterday