If I can make a sort of rugby political statement, this weekend is a reminder to followers of the game here in Australia who are inclined to bag its prospects that it is vibrant and growing immensely throughout the world.
And next year that worldwide interest and attention will focus on Australia for the tour of the British and Irish Lions.
Right now, though, the interest of the rugby world is focused on Europe where countries major and minor in the world rankings make their annual pilgrimage to the northern hemisphere rugby power centres.
The first matches of the pilgrimage tours are on Friday (European time) with a double-header at Colwyn Bay, Wales, when Russia plays the USA in Wales and Samoa plays Canada.
Then there are a series of internationals, many of which are shown on the pay television channels of Fox Sports: England – Fiji, Ireland – South Africa, France – Australia (also on Channel 10), Wales – Argentina, Italy – Tonga and possibly (there are complications yet to be resolved) Scotland – New Zealand.
There are other internationals in this round as well which won’t be televised on pay television here: Romania – Japan in Bucharest, Uruguay – Portugal which will be played in South America at Montevideo.
The point about all this is to that after football, rugby union is the only other world wide football code. It is the Pepsi Cola of the football codes, admittedly, to football/soccer’s status as the Coca Cola world game.
And to make the point further, rugby teams from the southern hemisphere have been coming across the ocean to the northern hemisphere to play rugby since the famous tour of the New Zealand Native team of 1888/89 which played 107 matches, including the then Victorian Rules football and football in Australia, and internationals in the UK with a squad of 26 players! The side recorded 78 wins, six draws and only 23 losses.
It is fitting that one of the international teams currently playing in the UK is the Maori All Blacks, the latter-day version of the New Zealand Native side.
Like so many later sides from the southern hemisphere, the Native team was perplexed and often undone by dodgy home town team refereeing, especially when they played England and the referee was the secretary of the RFU (the English rugby union).
A British team toured Australia and New Zealand in 1888 playing rugby union generally but Victorian Rules Football in Victoria. This team played 27 matches, drew six and lost just two.
So 124 years later the touring is still going on. It is true to say that these two great tours set a pattern for rugby union that has made touring part of the DNA of the culture of the game.
Coming back to the Wallabies current tour that starts on the weekend with a Test against France at Paris, the UK experts have, typically, written off the chances of the Wallabies.
Ian Payten, who is covering the Wallabies tour for The Daily Telegraph, has an article quoting Paul Ackford, the former England second-rower and the rugby expert for The Sunday Telegraph, suggesting that England will probably lose to South Africa and New Zealand but ‘my head says one win – against Australia … and Wales should pip Australia to bring a month-long extravaganza to a close.’
It seems to have escaped Ackford’s notice and Stuart Barnes (‘Wales will finally beat Australia’) that in the last two years the Wallabies have played Wales five times for five wins.
And here is Sean Fitzpatrick who seems to be an honoary Pom these days: ‘France can definitely beat Australia.’
Sean, the last time the two teams played against each other the Wallabies won 59 – 16 at Paris, scoring over 40 points in the second half.
The point here is that everyone is entitled to their opinions. Even Michael Lynagh is writing off the Wallabies suggesting that ‘both England and France can beat Australia.’
But there should be some respect for the Wallabies in what they have achieved in recent years, like beating Wales this year 3 – 0 in a Test sewries in Australia, as well as drawing 18 – 18 draw with the rampant All Blacks, when predictions are being made.
On The Roar a few days ago I was taken to task for not giving a detailed analysis of the state of the French side and their chances against the Wallabies. It is easier to make this point than to give the analysis, however. The fact is that France are coming together for the first time since June when they lost and won Tests against the Pumas in Argentina.
And French sides are notoriously difficult to predict. As the cliche says, ‘it depends which side turns up for the day.’ In the 2011 Rugby World Cup tournament they lost to Tonga in the pool rounds and nearly upset the All Blacks in the final.
And the last time they played the Wallabies, as I pointed out earlier, they were competitive in the first half and then were a rabble as Adam Ashley-Cooper cut them to shreds in the second half.
So we can re-phrase the cliche, perhaps: it depends which French side turns up for both halves of the Test.
The Wallabies are still three players sort of their best Test side (Will Genia, James O’Connor and James Horwill). The biggest loss of these three are probably O’Connor and Genia, because they are try-scorers. The biggest fault with the Wallabies this year has been the team’s inability to score tries. Genia and O’Connor will help in this aspect – but only next year.
Deans has singled out the French pack as a problem. But it also has to be conceded that if the Wallaby forwards play with the ferocity and intensity and skill they did against the All Blacks, they could easily match the French brutes up front.
And under Andrew Blades, the Wallaby scrum is now on a par with good scrumming teams like the All Blacks, the Pumas and the Springboks. They will have to cope with the new three-call scrum engagements. But from the evidence in the ITM Cup in New Zealand this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Hopefully, though, the referee Welshman Nigel Owens will not continue what has been something of a whistling rhapsody against the Wallabies. After a Test against England, the ARU made an official complaint and there needs to be evidence now that Owens has accepted the justified criticisms of his performance.
The other two southern hemisphere powers should come out on top, too. South Africa play Ireland at Dublin with Wayne Barnes as the referee. There are some exciting Boks backs waiting to be unleashed if Heyneke Meyer is prepared to let them have their head and Barnes allows the flow of the game to be expansive.
This same warning or criticism applies also to the Scotland – All Blacks match at Edinburgh. The referee is an inexperienced French official, Jerome Garces who gave an appalling whistle-happy performance in a recent European club match by handing out 27 penalties (shades of Alain Rolland!).
Scotland have played negative, spoiling rugby for decades. Why the IRB would give them a referee who will encourage this negativity and stifle the brilliant, high-tempo game the All Blacks are striving to play is beyond belief.
I hope the fact that the IRB boss of the referees is a Scotsman has nothing to do with the mindset behind the appointment.
Why the South African Jaco Peyper who is refereeing Romania – Japan or Craig Joubert wasn’t given the game is a mystery. Or Steve Walsh.
The southern hemisphere powers have had to put up with northern hemisphere whistle-happy refereeing pedants in The Rugby Championship. It is a bit rich for the IRB to continue to inflict them on the only teams in the world rugby who are trying to produce a result and a spectacle.
In 2010, the southern hemisphere big three played 11 Tests in Europe for 9 wins and two losses. I reckon that this sort of ratio, despite the northern hemisphere referees, will apply in 2012 as well.
So this weekend, it’s game on for the latest chapter of the endless story of touring rugby teams …
CinLondon
Guest
For quite a long time the Wallabies performancs in the NH have been far from impressive. There have been great matches surrounded by much mediocrity, which is frustrating and often painful to watch. Quite rightly the European sides fancy their chances. What a rubbish article.
Harryonthecoast
Guest
Damn you, Steve. Just beat me too it!! Spiro I reckon you owe Sean an apology!! The Wallabies were rubbish and you should take them (and Deans) to task. New anthem: "God Defend Australia".....especially next week!!
Steve Burman
Guest
Hey Spiro, Sean's prediction not looking so stupid now! I think the question you really need to ask is how many games the Wallabies have won over the last year away from home, and the answer is not many. Robbie Deans must be feeling very sick about now! All those good wins were at home and while an 18 all draw against the All Blacks is better than a loss you could also take the view that even with an All Blacks team decidedly off their game (dead rubber anyone) they couldn't beat them at home at their favouruite ground. Not a great Wallbies team I'm afraid.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Cheers Colin.
lorry
Guest
Mv Dave Rugby is closing the gap between it and football in many places - not Australia or NZ or south Africa though. In the USA soccer hasn't gone anywhere in years, in Asia it is riddled with corruption while rugby continues to grow.in places like Sri Lanka, Japan, etc. And rugby is making huge strides in places like Brazil, which would have been thought impossible before. As for Bball, the idea that it is bigger than rugby is ludicrous. I suppose if you consider social basketball played on public courts to be evidence of that... but actually even those are usually empty around the world, except for a few sulking teenagers sitting on the pavement smoking cigarettes! In terms of advertising revenue, spectator crowds, and meaningful international and local competitions, rugby knocks Bball out of the ballpark. Even 7s rugby at the Olympics will be more.competitive than bball. Bball prob beats rugby in terms of merchandising, but that does not signify a love of the sport, rather it is simply like the way people all over the world wear Manchester Utd Jerseys without having any real affinity with the team. The popularity of this and, say garish LA Lakers singlets in, say Brazil and Vietnam, are not evidence of the popularity of basketball, but is simply evidence of the hypnotic effect of global capitalism.
MV Dave
Guest
A lot more people around the world find Rugby boring and dull whilst AFL shouldn't even be mention when talking world sports.
MV Dave
Guest
A recent report on TV monies spent in Europe on televising sport found that 80% was spent on Football...next was F1. Record tv deals and sponsorships are being signed every few years and spectator numbers continue to grow around the world...yep the gap is widening and Basketball is the next biggest sport around the world.
HardData
Guest
Spiro, your response was mostly decent but think you may have danced around the point. I have to pay an extra $40-60 to watch All Blacks v Eng/Wales on Setanta yet will be watching Eng/Fiji for my $200/month commitment over the last 5 years in SYDNEY. How much is FOXTEL actually making from KIWIS in Australia and how does this benefit the NZRFU??? How can SKY in NZ currently reporting huge local super-profits (By NZ standards) still have the Italy test broadcast in doubt??? Also on a side point Tim Horan is so QLD biased that his tipping on the Rugby Club is only worsened by Kearns because of his blue patch. (They are both around Greg Martins stupidity and this must be just plain embarrassing for all concerned.) Are they not accountable for their consistently rubbish predictions??? (Not on Fox obviously)
Colin N
Guest
Most of injuries are just carried over from the summer tour reallly, with the exception Hartley. He will be a huge loss (just for the experience more than anything else), although Tom Youngs, his likely replacement, is a more dynamic player in the loose, he just can't throw at the moment. Ashton will be back after the Fiji game and Joseph might as well.
Colvin
Guest
Spiro, And I reckon you'd have been pretty good too. What postion did you play? Clearly you would have been a pretty boy as you don't have cauliflower ears. My pick is outside centre.
Colin N
Guest
Corbisiero has been out all season and hasn't played, so that's why he was released. Huge fan of Marler. There were some good bits from him in the summer - he didn't carry much, but he was excellent at the breakdown. His scrummaging was okay, but it's an area which improved immensely over the 2011/12 season.
joe b
Guest
"...that distance is widening". Soccer is already widely played throughout the world, and I suspect basketball might give rugby a run for it's money as to which might be the next biggest sport, but the reality is a lot of people find it dull and too simple and will never have an interest in the game. A round ball, no use of hands, and the offside rule....simple and boring. Rugby will continue to grow....and hopefully aussie rules will aswell.
allblackfan
Guest
Scotland-NX on Fox in not the problem as Fox is showing it. Italy-NZ is the problem. Sky NZ (ie Fox) so far can't get the rights for it
Argyle
Roar Guru
Hi Salada, appologies for late reply, work!. Mate I am not so sure about the Italians. Was it not Quade Cooper of all people that saved our Bascaola's last time we played in Italy, in Italy, with a late minute try? If not for Digby Ioane at the RWC 2011 I thought we were average for most of that game as well. I am not convinced that a win is a forgone conclusion. The premise of what I was angling at was England. I should have been clearler. I for one am really keen to see Scotland do well.
Lorry
Guest
MV Dave the distance between rugby and football is widening?! What are you on about? Football's always been big everywhere! Rugby is the one growing fast! In Italy, France, Argentina, Madagascar, Russia, Georgia, other parts of Africa the game is growing! Football is already established in all those countries and can't grow any more. In fact, in Italy, France, Argentina, and Russia rugby is growing at the expense of football
Wales15
Guest
No, the NH sides were vulnerable in June. You guys were 'relatively' fresh, the NH guys had played a WC, 6N, HC AW cup, Rabo/Aviva,etc. They'll be fresher, not vulnerable. Anyway Oz have potential to win all 4.
rae1
Guest
Agreed Hurl. It seems the more time passes, the more convenient it is to forget about the poor quality of play in the 18-18 game. To use this game to qualify overly ambitious predictions of success in upcoming games or as a reason to be indignant about what people-of-note might say or write is, as you say Hurl, a bit of a stretch . "You're only as good as your last game', really? Both teams were horrible. It was a gutsy effort by the WBs, but ball skills and handling, and decision making, at times were woeful. As for the ABs, they played one of their worst games of the season- with the 2nd Irish test (coupled with credit to Ireland) coming in a close second. I expect massive improvements from our ABs. Although 'our' results show no losses, our team have been annoyingly inconsistent and inaccurate. Scary signs Mr Foster. I'm genuinely hopeful for the WBs. Their confidence has grown, they appear to be jelling more, the toxins have been removed and the team culture seems to be returning to one of respect for: their jersey (and the traditions and history it embodies); to their organisation and management; to each other; and to their supporters. The current culture is encouraging for players and supporters alike, but it has yet to transfer to the field in the form of a confident, fluid, seemless, winning team who are maximising their collective and individual skills and talents. Hopefully it will come together for them as I'd like to see the 3N win all their games. It'd be a bonus if the Argentines can do the same. Saying Team A can beat Team B is very different to saying Team A will beat Team B. Any NH team can beat any SH team on the respective tours. Thing is, will they?
MAJB
Guest
Fellow Roarers, I am ever the optimist. Last year I was in Europe and went to Rugby game is France and the UK. The standard in France was certainly better than the UK but his was due to the large number of imports in the French clubs. I believe that Wallabies, having been through the All Black cauldron, will be a little to battle hardened for even the French. I can’t figure out English Rugby. The RFU claims to have nearly 2 million regular senior players and they still cant turn out a good team without using former NZers or others from the South Pacific . Spiro is correct the insularity of European jornos does not take into account that, at this stage, Sth Hemisphere Rugby is better than the Nth. What will these jornos write when the Wallabies clean sweep their tour? We, in Australia with some justification, complain about the lack of skill in current test Rugby teams. It is worse in Europe and the Wallabies will prove that. I guarantee you the many European Rugby writers still think that Rocky Elson is still the Captain; such is the distain for the Colonies.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
"The Wallabies have one of the best technical scrummaging teams" Jesus I never thought I'd hear that, and don't think its true either. The Boks have been average to poor for a number of years now. Mtawarira and to a lesser extent du Plessis are dynamic enough around the park but they are technically poor scrummagers. However they are still an improvement on Smit when he used to pack down at 3. Franks is adjusting to life without Thorn and suddenly things are a lot harder when you dont have that engine behind you. I rate Frank's technique so I think Cotter will have their scrum fixed by next season.
bigbaz
Guest
All good stuff but I'm about to catch a plane to Brisvegas and onto the Gabba for a few days. Will think about the rugby on Sunday morning.