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Why is it that the Blues and the Waratahs, hailing from the biggest cities in their respective countries, have been struggling for the past decade to fulfil their enormous potential?
Sure, the Blues have won three titles (1996, 1997 and 2003) and the Waratahs have made the final twice (2005 and 2008).
Outside of those years however, both teams have been decidedly mediocre.
Is this good enough from two teams with collective populations of circa six million people and arguably the biggest talent pools of any of the teams in Super Rugby?
Throw into that mix the struggles of the Lions from South Africa’s largest city of Johannesburg, who this year aren’t even in the competition, and the big city quandary becomes even more strange.
Why is it so? Is it because big city teams don’t feel as represented by their cities? Take the Waratahs for example.
Sydney has eight NRL teams, two from the A-League as well as two AFL sides and as a result the Waratahs are constantly battling a congested sporting market and for a spot in their supporters’ hearts.
I would go as far as saying that a great deal of the population of Sydney would not even recognise a Waratahs player if they bumped into them in the street or in a cafe.
Contrast this with a smaller city like Canberra which has only the Brumbies and Raiders representing the city and you get my point.
Brisbane, which has the Reds, Broncos, Lions and the Roar is another example. The Reds just aren’t competing with so many other teams for the attention of their citizens.
Does this have a knock on effect to the attitude of the players? Do they not play with the same pride, passion and desperation to win for their city as other sides?
Why is it that players who have originated in Auckland or Sydney who have either failed to perform in their own city, or worse still, have simply been let slip from the system, and are subsequently drafted to another side, perform and make a national side once they are gone?
The Blues have ample examples, players like Ron Cribb, Hosea and Rico Gear, Nick Evans, Norm Maxwell and Mike Harris have all been let go and then thrived and earned national call ups away from the Blues.
The same can be applied to Chris Latham, Owen Finegan, George Smith and Stirling Mortlock for the Waratahs. Does this tell us something again?
It’s not all doom and gloom though, change can and will happen under the right leadership. The resurgence of the Brumbies under Jake White is a great example of this.
Both the Blues and Waratahs will win a campaign again but 2013 probably won’t be the year.
This all adds up to what will be a huge game at Allianz Stadium this Sunday as both teams look to build on starts that have proved vastly different to what was predicted at the start of the season.
The Blues head into the game on the back of the bye round and a loss to the Bulls preceding that.
In the two first rounds however, they secured two massive victories over the Hurricanes and Crusaders, and they head into this match with two wins from three and some confidence in their ability.
More was expected of the Waratahs for the 2013 season, as although they did have a woeful 2012 , their side was still Wallaby-laden and big improvements were expected.
The Waratahs have stayed true to form thus far in the campaign, winning one and losing three of their opening games.
Both sides have new coaches in John Kirwan and Michael Cheika, both returning from stints overseas, and each on paths to return their sides to past glories.
Kirwan and Cheika have spoken about an overhaul of their respective franchises and about how they will need time to get things right.
Given both sides’ fans are notoriously fickle, I am sure that the boards of the Blues and the Waratahs, privately at least, will be hoping that change and success comes sooner rather than later.
The teams will sense the importance of the points on offer going into this match. We may only be at round six, but it is these games that can make or break a team’s campaign.
I have a feeling that it will be a cracker of a match. The Waratahs will be desperate to get a home victory while the Blues will be looking for their first outside of New Zealand under Kirwan.
The Blues have made it clear that their intent is to move the ball this season, if the Waratahs also play ball we could be in for a hell of a game.
Big city strugglers or sides on the up? Only time will tell.
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.