I cannot help but think that Australian rugby needs a Kerry Packer/World Series style revolution. And very soon.
Cricket was arguably saved and revolutionised by Kerry Packer and the radical changes introduced as part of World Series Cricket.
Traditionalists were aghast at coloured clothing, white balls, 50 over games, field restrictions, bowling limits, games at night etc.
But it spawned a new generation of cricket followers that the staid administration of the ICC would never have been able to develop.
I grew up playing rugby and have been a passionate supporter all my life. Increasingly I find myself now preferring to watch NRL and AFL.
I still watch rugby but find myself generally frustrated with a game that simply does not work and has not adapted to the professional era.
I recently was at a lunch where ARU Boss Bill Pulver said across a range of KPIs (key performance indicators) he looks at, rugby has been trending negatively for quite some time (seven years I think).
While he outlined a range of initiatives to try and reverse these trends, I cannot help but feel there is a fundamental issue in rugby that is just not being addressed.
And that is that the game itself, especially at the highest level, is fundamentally flawed.
Rugby has not aged well. It simply has not adjusted to the professional environment.
15 fit professional players on a field size that has not changed, able to stand on the gain line in defence and all highly capable at the breakdown has left the game too defensive, too technical and increasingly at the whim of a referee’s whistle.
This is then exacerbated by three points for penalties, which are capable of being made now from anywhere inside 55m.
Notable that it is Sevens that is an Olympic Sport, not 15s.
The game is increasingly one dimensional rewarding a power based game and penalising those trying to develop a running game.
Ewen McKenzie faces the unpleasant task of trying to win back crowds tired of the technical nature of rugby but with a reality that such a game plan more often than not spells defeat.
He faced the reverse issue when at the Waratahs, when he achieved solid success but was driven out for failing to deliver a ‘style’ of rugby that would attract crowds.
Unlike AFL and NRL, who adapt rules and interpretations (even mid–season) to ensure an optimal product, rugby suffers from its link to the IRB.
Rugby’s greatest asset (its global reach) is also its greatest weakness and ultimately will kill the game in Australia, where there are two very good and strong alternate winter contact sports.
This is simply not the case in the northern hemisphere, hence the imperative to adapt the product is not there.
The southern hemisphere-driven experimental law variations – which were trialled and ultimately abandoned on account of traditionalists from the northern hemisphere ruling the IRB – are a classic case demonstrating the problems rugby faces in Australia competing with NRL and AFL.
If Bill Pulver genuinely wants to turn around the trends of rugby KPIs in Australia, he needs to boldly break away from the IRB and dramatically bring the product into the 21st century.
Looking at crowds and ratings in New Zealand, he may in fact find an ally here. As was the case with cricket in the 70s, purists will not like the changes but the reality is the existing product appeals to an ageing and diminishing audience.
The next generation of potential supporters are increasingly disinterested in rugby, favouring far better products in AFL, NRL and, increasingly, the A-League.
Below is my first go at updating and upgrading rugby to recognise changes in the professional era and provide a sport that indeed encourages and rewards those that execute the running game well.
· The number of players on a team should be reduced to 13 players.
· Only kick out on the full from within 10m of the tryline.
· Penalties against the attacking team should only be short-arm free kicks. Why an earth should a team get three points for an error by the team in attack?
· Penalties should reflect the closeness to which the team is to the tryline. Penalties within 10m of the line should be three points. Penalties from 10m to 25m should be two points and penalties outside the 25m should be one point.
· Drop goals should be reduced to one point.
· Five minute sinbin should be mandatory for all deliberate transgressions inside the 25m area by the defensive team.
· Ban the rolling maul. It is simply obstruction and should be treated exactly the same way it is in general open field play. You cannot run with a player obstructing in front of you
· Players not bound or involved in a ruck or maul must be back 5m from last feet. A second referee on the field should be policing the offside line and, like league, calling players back to the 5m line.
· As is the case for lineouts, backs should be 10m back from the scrum.
· Any kicks above head height that are caught on the full inside the half result in a short-arm free kick to the team catching the ball.
Many will say this looks more like league. To the extent that there is greater emphasis on attack and more room to move, more ball in play etc. yes, it does look more like league.
But it retains some key differences that make rugby appealing and differentiated.
Most critically, all possession is contested. Scrums and lineouts (set piece) are still a contest. The breakdown is a contest and the five tackle/kick formula that can become predictably boring in some league games does not exist.
Not being able to kick the ball out on the full would see a lot more ball in play and require a far higher level of aerobic capacity.
Providing a free kick for all kicks caught inside the defending teams half would deter wasteful kicking, high balls.
Tiredness, along with 13 players on the field, would likely see greater space for those willing to attack from kicks.
Retaining three points for penalties inside the 10m line and a five minute mandatory sin bin for deliberate transgressions would reward attacking teams and place a very strong deterrent to defending teams from committing professional fouls to stop tries.
Reducing the points available from penalties outside the 25m area should reward teams that are able to enter the 25m area more regularly.
Eliminating the option to kick goals from penalties against the attacking team encourages teams to be more adventurous, knowing if a player does not release a ball, for instance, when caught it will not cost three points.
It is enough deterrent to turn the ball over and offer a kick, scrum or lineout to the opposition.
Do I think any of the above will actually happen or be considered? No.
Like Test Cricket, the ‘traditionalists/purists’ that run and influence rugby administration are generally blind to the fact the product is flawed and the nostalgia of yesteryear will do little to appeal to the next generation of potential supporters who are gravitating to games better adapted to a professional era namely, AFL and NRL.
With no dramatic change to rugby in Australia, the trends that are well established will simply continue.
The Lions tour which saved Australian rugby financially this year and likely for the next couple only comes around every 12 years.
Given the continuation of current trends I doubt rugby can financially survive the drought until the next Lions tour.
Is there a Kerry Packer out there?
Terey
Guest
How do you play a game of rugby in ireland, Scotland ,wales ,England , even new Zealand or any part of the world. Where it pisses rain and the wind can go to any speed imaginable if you can't kick the effing ball. Mauling is probably the only useful tactic in bad weather. There would be no austrailian team these rules were introduced. Who would you play.
Charlie Charley-Charles
Guest
Super 15 maybe a decent comp, but its losing loads of cash, and crowds dropping. I agree with a lot of Tim's points. This year in S15, a penalty goal was kicked every 10 min, whereas in NRL it was every 110 min. You shouldnt be allowed to kick out on the full in RU which obviously encourages running the ball and keeping possession. You see 100m tries regularly in NRL, rarely in RU. Guys like Morne Steyn make Test rugby so boring......
avonjeff
Guest
Obviously there is a problem in OZ because the game still has the elitist tag - people hate it and enjoy getting the boot into the game. The ITM cup and Currie cup would suggest there is not a lot wrong with the game and reducing players just does not make sense. The game can be very messy at times because there is a genuine struggle for the ball. That might not appeal to the average league fan but so what - it is what I love about the game. The Super 15 is an excellent tounament but like all Internationals Test can be dour because there is a lot at stake - winning is everything.
ron burgundy
Guest
yesterday i turned onto channel 9 for the first time in a long time to see a bit of league.... i watched the half back and fullback from melbourne storm pack into the second row of a rugby league scrum..... i immediately turned the channel never to watch that joke of a sport again
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Gents, alas, to me, union = excessive penalty goals; excessive general play kicking (they rarely run the damn ball!); scrums which reset too often and sometimes end in yet another penalty. I prefer league even tho many aspects of it irritate me. To make union better it will simply end up like league. Roll on the merger of the codes! It will never happen, but here's hoping! Thank Zeus the NFL has started!
Johnno
Guest
Topo, would like to hear your views on the foreign import rules now. -Western Force/Melbourne Rebels will be allowed 5 developmental imports. I see that as poaching, and a systematic failure, probably dating back more than 100 years to develop talent. I think it's basically poaching.? -I like foreign imports, like in Europe comps. I think 5 foreign imports per super rugby team is better. Than say 5 developmental imports and 1 senior foreign imports. As many of those developmental imports, are not even ready for super rugby. -Say at Melbourne Rebels, blokes like Gareth Delve, Glen Somerville. Why not have 5 per OZ super rugby team with players like that. Or Albe Mathewson at the western force. Have 5 per team of blokes like that, not 5 developmental imports, and 1 foreign imports. Hardened senior foreign imports say 5 per OZ super rugby squad would work wonders. -And it's helped French rugby. Heck remember France beat the wallabies smashed them last year in Paris, and made the World Cup final, and only lost by 1 point to the All Blacks at Eden Park NZ. -So all those foreign imports in French rugby can't be harming the program as much. -And also with more foreign imports you get more rugby intellectual property. All these different rugby cultures playing styles woven into your rugby like in France or England/Wales/Scotland/Ireland/Italy, clubs get.
Vinay
Guest
I feel the single biggest issue Rugby has in Australia is constant bagging by league types in the media. Too much kicking. NRL has more kicking then rugby. Take a look more tries get scored off kicks than anything in the game and its applauded. If you had the same in Rugby they would ridicule that. And it terms of skills NRL is too one dimensional but does anyone mention that. No. Yes, Rugby has issues but so does other sports. Maybe we have too many rules and given its more international flavour it takes longer to change anything. The sooner they modernize IRB the better for the game.
Enrique TOPO Rodriguez
Guest
TO: Ian Thought be a good opportunity to share some different/alternative views. I agree with some but not with others. However, the enemy “is common” to both of us and thousands disappointed followers out there! [Rugby is not the problem] ETR - Of course rugby is not the problem, rugby changes very little but the personnel around it are so fickle something beyond belief. So what or who is or are the problems here? Because there are too many of them will list them in any order with a brief explanations of their behaviour and people can and will do their own soul search! Because some of the readers will invariably fall within those categories am about to mention. So fellows, no offence or personal attack on anyone, I’m just addressing some of the most appallingly and reprehensibly behaved individuals such as. Ian I must start by saying “the red sea waters of sanity parted in 1995”when rugby all of the sudden became No longer amateur by decree! 1) PA’s - Petulant administrators; too often on “the Gravy Train”, self-centeredness, selfish, full of their own self importance; slef-perpetuating and watching their rear for their position and not forward watching where things invariably happen. 2) RR - Righteous Referees that believe THEY ARE THE LAW, all promoted by their Unions that protect them like species in extinction. They forget that are Servant and Enablers of the game. 3) Top Ranking Officials that “are on a good wicket” and wouldn’t leave their ship even if it’s sinking 4) SAC – Smart Arse Coaches that have no regard or respect for the law, the referees and players’ health and integrity (a real nasty breed) 5) DIP – Dishonest Individualistic Players that will lie or do anything to be in the squad, and the team and while on the field want to take advantage of any loophole or loopy loony behaviour. 6) NSP – The Nasty Show Ponies. Rugby not long ago, you must remember was dubbed as the University of Life, an educational code, the factory of human principles and values which brings me to the next nasty bad influential factor on young people. Is this where The Three Amigos were born? (no, I remember it was the Chevy Chase movie) 7) SPA – Scoundrel Player Agents, vermin, vulture, this may seem harsh? Do you think an Agent helps a team and its sport? No, they just want the fatest contract hence fat commissions. Where are they when their players protégées need advice/education about HOW TO BEHAVE WHERE. Because they seem to have awful sense of orientation. Do their washing in bed, eat in the garage or their car and shit in their own kitchen! I know, they should have learnt at home and by themselves! It seems the Agents can’t see the players shooting both pairs of feet!!! But they love playing with guns and with fire! Boys will be boys, until they turn 30 and adopt criminal behaviour because nobody stopped them before. More AMIGOS Please…….. [The only rules I would change would be, that all goals be worth 2 points and that the ref doesn’t tell the scrum half when to put the ball in the scrum. As an Australian and Rugby fan it does hurt that Rugby is a minority sport and probably always will be in our country] ETR - Yes I agree the referee should say nothing (just a raised arm and a signal will be best) Ian, I rather have a minority but a well behaved and socially adjusted minority. The mission of sport in life is to teach us how to relate to many other different people under many different circumstances, sometimes adverse and other happy and favourable. RUGBY OR SPORTS WAS NEVER INTENDED TO MAKE IDIOTS MILLIONAIRES, making a niusnace of themselves with all and sundry. [It feels as if the global Rugby community is laughing at our recent performances and at us whining about everything, we are becoming the new Poms] ETR - That’s a great brave call. Loosing is part of the deal. In rugby when I started playing in 1971 at the age of 19 I was told that the only 3 possible outcomes were Win, Draw, Loose. As much as Australians love to win and do not hesitate to heckle, sledge or even spit the opposition, the time has come Australian Rugby need to learn to lose, cop it sweet, and tomorrow will be another day! – So overall a good lesson for life. [The only thing we have to complain about is the lack of infrastructure in the form of a national competition, that our premier club competitions are out of date in respect to coverage of new (in the last 50 years) areas and that the ARU doesn’t have the balls to do anything about it as the clubs will riot] ETR - We lack infrastructure (I said “may”) but we live in the lucky country with the best climate, everything is great here, wouldn’t change it for anything in the world (see? I talk and I listen to people to get an idea of what Joe Bloggs feels and think. We are in touch! [Rugby is a great game, unfortunately professionalism came too late for it to become popular in Australia (the other professional codes already had a dominance)]. ETR - No Ian sorry, professionalism didn’t come too late. We must be patient and wait for the 2nd fleet because is coming loaded with PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ADMINISTRATORS and then we will be saved of the amateur-pseudo-professional and well meaning-yet not delivering officials of today. To become a Professional Sports Administrator (that I so insist) you must study in University for at least 4 years, then cut your teeth for a good 10 years experience in middle management, work your way up and only then, only if you are good enough you could or may aspire to be involved running a particular sport.
Ian
Guest
Tim, If you want a game that is more open and free flowing with less players and still have scrums and rucks, there are Rugby 7's and 10's.
Ian
Guest
Rugby is not the problem. The only rules I would change would be, that all goals be worth 2 points and that the ref doesn't tell the scrum half when to put the ball in the scrum. As an Australian and Rugby fan it does hurt that Rugby is a minority sport and probably always will be in our country. It feels as if the global Rugby community is laughing at our recent performances and at us whining about everything (we are becoming the new Poms). The only thing we have to complain about is the lack of infrastructure in the form of a national competition, that our premier club competitions are out of date in respect to coverage of new (in the last 50 years) areas and that the ARU doesn't have the balls to do anything about it as the clubs will riot. Rugby is a great game, unfortunately professionalism came too late for it to become popular in Australia (the other professional codes already had a dominance).
The Big Fish
Guest
You comment really did add much did it.
Toa
Guest
Respect = Mr Rodriguez
Johnno
Guest
Topo for ARU CEO. You;d be better than your old teammate Micheal Hawker.
Janneman
Guest
Rugby Union is pure and where it all started - and it continues in heaven? - don't change the TEST RUGBY format - let each Union formulate their way of nurturing the SPIRIT on going forward - eg. Currie Cup in RSA. Seven a Side rugby is entertaining - but has it had the Kerry Packer impact - no - not at all - it is good for what it is and that is it ! TEST RUGBY - is special - therefore - lets compete minimum every three years - this once a year one game x 2 has killed the MAGIC of test rugby between great rivals.. With regard to the greedy buggers and free loaders that are more interested in bottom line and their own pockets - see if you can keep it going without South Africa in the mix and a thought for the players - STARS ? My advice to RSA rugby would be - this - kick the southern hemisphere into touch and play up North - no jet lag - financially more advantageous for SARU and the players - RSA will keep more of their top players at home and able to call on those playing in Europe when needed - also all the players in the pool will not be playing as many games at top break neck level per annum - hence we as spectators will have the privilege of enjoying their performances for many more years than the current system dictates. Bokke (SARU) time to move on and with the times - you have the competitive advantage - by far ! Australasia have used abuse and taken RSA for a ride for far too long - OK. Cut the losses but NO MORE! Play the Kiwis - every third year - alternate full on tours - let's get that traditional feel and enjoy the buzz again - and the financial benefits from that. Ozzies well they have pumped their gums since I was a toddler - come up with a team and negotiate a requited tour alternating with the Kiwis .Except when the Lions Tour. Every one to their own in the interim. Soon a nation of 48million - with junior development and all the stages to Currie Cup will see depth beyond imagination. So love this pure game - lets keep it that way - we the supporters - we have a say! If you are not South African - ( I am not - I am Zambian ) then get your ducks in a row and remain competitive - that's what we all want - North - South - East - West Janneman
Lucas
Guest
The last time I checked in Brisbane where they have only one team in each code the Queensland reds have more members then either the broncos, lions and the roar. and look at averages in australian stadiums, rugby league 16,000 attendences per game for 2013 and super rugby 21,000... Personally I think rugby is great the way it is. the only proplem is grass roots rugby in Australia sucks compared to nrl, afl and soccer and that's why the wallabies are hopeless!!!
Glenn Innes
Guest
There is a myth going around that Packer saved cricket - what nonsense. These are the attendance figures for the 74- 75 Ashes series sourced from Frank Tysons interesting book "Test of Nerves" Brisbane - 62079 Perth - 75048 Melbourne - 250721 Sydney - 178027 Adelaide - 99323 Melbourne - 111421 Packer wasn't trying to rescue a fading sport he wanted a booming sport on his TV network.
Garth
Guest
But rugby already has coloured uniforms, white balls, night games, etc....
Garth
Guest
Losing only in Australia, which is the only country that plays AFL and that thinks league is bigger/better than Union.
No Cigar
Guest
So Unions low profile in Australia getting to you? Just when I thought the whinging stereotype wasn't true. When you got two or three other viable alternatives in this country, you have to stand out, and Union in its current form its just doesn't do it for most Australians.
Gary
Guest
here is my pet hate - a penalty against the attacking team for some pedantic refereeing interpretaton of ' not staying on your feet' or whatever and the defending team sends up their 'super-boot' who knocks 3 points over from half way ! I think this is a definitive example of silly rules that exist and should be modified. By the way the bloke who said the ARU was against the new scrum laws in order to support our poor scrum -where is our evidence for this asertion ?? Many forget it was only a few years ago that the Saffers scrum was regularlly having their heads shoved up "somewhere" by Benn Robinson and crew - check the tapes. And the Wallabies at Twickenham about 2 years ago, one of the pommy props was destroyed, again by Robbo I think- check the tape. The problem seems to be consistency.