It was the photo op that was always going to adorn today’s papers, and the reverse angle showed a media scrum as big as any I’ve seen in recent times.
More television cameras and photographers than have been assembled at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a very long time, I suspect.
And it is a great photo, no doubt one for the poolroom of the promoters, the clubs involved, and probably even the SCG Trust.
Ahead of the Major League Baseball season opener at the SCG this weekend, between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, the resident teams of Moore Park were brought together in front of the iconic SCG Members Stand.
Assembled alongside Dodgers’ pitcher Clayton Kershaw and D’Backs’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, were Sydney Swans champion Adam Goodes – widely tipped to throw out the first pitch on Saturday night – Sydney Roosters’ dual international Sonny Bill Williams, and Sydney FC’s Italian superstar, Alessandro del Piero.
It didn’t even occur to me when I first saw the image that something was missing.
It wasn’t until noted sports satirist Titus O’Reily made the following observation on Twitter I really started thinking about it.
Rugby Union has announced it’s officially given up. pic.twitter.com/RpYG6Hsil5
— Titus O’Reily (@TitusOReily) March 19, 2014
I reached the obvious conclusion – one I’m sure many others did, too – the absence of a Waratahs’ player was just another massively missed opportunity for rugby. Yet another self-inflicted shot into the code’s foot.
The biggest event to grace the Moore Park precinct in years, and on the same weekend the Waratahs host the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night next door at Allianz Stadium, and rugby couldn’t even arrange a representative for a photo op.
Trying to wrack my brain to come up with even the slightest hint of plausible reason for the no-show, all I could come up with was ambivalence.
Knowing Wednesdays are often off-days for the NSW players – and particularly yesterday, given they play on Friday – all I could foresee was the Tahs either not wanting to call someone in on their day off, or they couldn’t find a volunteer.
After all, Waratahs players Jono Lance, Cam Crawford, and their new cult hero and South African marquee man, Jacques Potgieter, had taken part in that simultaneously awkward and funny promo video, where they sang “Take me out to the ballgame” along with players from the Roosters and Swans.
Hoping there was a better reason than apathy, but fearing there wasn’t, I fired off a text to the Waratahs last night. And it was obviously a hot topic for them, because I got a call back almost immediately.
“We’re absolutely gutted,” was the Tahs’ spokesperson’s response to my question as to why no Waratahs player was present.
It turns out that what I was ready to deride as rugby’s massively missed opportunity, was actually a kick in the pants for the code of… well, major league proportions.
The Waratahs had and have been working enthusiastically with the Sydney MLB season opener promoters the whole way through, and an invitation did indeed come the Waratahs’ way. They were thrilled to be part of it, despite the relative short notice.
However, when the Tahs weren’t able to deliver the requested Israel Folau for the op, due to prior sponsor engagements organised by Folau’s management team on his day off, the Waratahs were given short shrift.
“It’s Izzy, or no-one,” they were told.
They offered up their captain, David Dennis. They offered up any of their high profile Wallabies including Adam Ashley-Cooper, or Michael Hooper, or Tatafu Polota-Nau. Not good enough, they were told.
“It’s Izzy, or no-one.”
And it’s history now that the vision on the news last night, and in the pictures in the papers this morning, all contain the shot with the Dodger, the Diamondback, the Swan, the FC’er, and the Rooster.
But no Waratah.
This should be ringing gigantic alarm bells for the code.
If the promoters of a major sporting event taking place next door to the home of a major Australian rugby team don’t believe any other rugby players fit the profile of their organised media event, then rugby has a massive relevance problem on its hands.
If people don’t want to be associated with you, your sales job isn’t going very well.
Garth
Guest
How typical is this of Rugby officials when it comes to promoting our great game!! Rugby is withering on the vine due to the total lack of FREE TO AIR exposure and to print media, and our officials dont appear to care. This was at least an opportunity to lift Rugby's profile in the press at little cost to the union and it was blown yet again. Does the ARU have the slightest idea about the need to and how to promote the game? I am sure they stupidly believe "We only need to promote the Wallabies". What about getting a 30 or 60 minute late night Rugby highlight show on free to air TV? I know heaps of people who would tune in to that. When will the ARU and Tahs learn that they need to get on free to air TV to make a difference.
Wal
Roar Guru
Rugby got their man in the photo, it just happened to be the NZRU and they forgot to tell him which jumper to wear.
soapit
Guest
let us know when to start taking you seriously
Sharon Grey
Guest
Hi Josh! If the gist of your scenarios was purely turning up with a substitute - which it wasn't - someone might have suggested that you read the article which answered that question. If you sought further clarification, Brett could be asked to answer. But it can be looked at another way: the individuals in the photo may not be the best on their respective teams (although many are or at the very least have been), but each is unquestionably the highest-profile member of their team. Michael Clarke not available? Then no cricket representative. Israel Folau not available? Then no Waratah representative. TPN is a great player and I admire him for many things both on and off the field, but he is not the highest-profile Waratah at the moment. The people arranging this don't appear to have been some rinky-dink spivs. Evidently they sought the best as they defined it and were smart enough and professional enough to care. No surprise.
josh
Roar Rookie
The gist of all my scenarios is purely, what if the Waratah's just turned up to the event with say TPN?
dr katz
Guest
nah, I think basketball is even more boring. You go to the entertainment and suddenly a basketball game breaks out in the middle of it.
dr katz
Guest
hahhaha. gold!
Sharon Grey
Guest
You can prefer 'ambush' all you like. In the scenario you posited: 'Izzy was a last minute withdrawal'; as such, 'Izzy' would have been confirmed to attend prior to withdrawing and 'X' was sent in his place and the 'whole event still would have gone to plan' even though 'the promoter might have kicked up a stink after the event, but who cares' : that's offering one thing and attempting to substitute it for another. In any event, my question still stands: why would rugby want to be known for doing as you suggest? This wasn't about trying to pull one over a gullible promoter (oh, hardeharharhar, them dumb foreigners). Indeed, Brett's article states that the Waratahs tried to offer a substitute but that wasn't deemed acceptable. The issue is about how rugby - in this instance, the Waratahs - elects to attempt to affirmatively raise its profile and promote itself both locally and internationally. 'Ambush' away, but I don't think that's useful.
Matthew Skellett
Roar Rookie
There was a old player called McFlynn , his coach dropped him because he wanted to win , McFlynn got enraged , his gun hand engaged , Franky's kneecaps were next in da bin
josh
Roar Rookie
I prefer ambush... it's technically not bait and switch. This promoter appears to be we only want the big names, and from the media clippings it's these guys. Really for a 5 minute photo op it could have been anyone in a Waratah's jersey. Sounds like a stereotype promoter, "It's X or no-one; What about player Y; is Y X? No; Then it's no." I mean really.
Matthew Skellett
Roar Rookie
Yeah pTah Izzy's people shoulda talked to their people and checked what was going down yah !!! ;-)
Robbie
Guest
Cugel you must be living under a rock
Sharon Grey
Guest
'Bait and switch'? Seriously? Well that's character, for you. And the highest level of professionalism. Why would anyone want rugby to be known for that?
josh
Roar Rookie
If the Waratah's were serious they would have sent anyone. This promoter only wants Izzy rubbish, is just that. I don't think the Waratah's have been too savvy about this. The people managing the photo op would probably have no idea, who is who. If there's questions, Izzy was a late minute withdrawal, had to send X in place. The whole event still would have gone to plan. Sure, the promoter might have kicked up a stink after the event, but who cares. The Waratah's dropped the ball, no one else.
Cole
Guest
The reason there was no cricket players is that the Australian Baseball League is trying to re-establish a national comp and it's getting a leg up from the Major Leagues. They are both summer sports so they're in direct competition, it would be kinda like asking Adam Goodes to come and promote Rugby.
Rambo
Guest
Does anyone know if the Lions v Reds and Bulls v Sharks match is being televised in the UK? Thanks
IronAwe
Guest
No, sadly, I think you're right.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
You're really pushing the barrow aren't you Wheelbarrow? ;-)
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for raising this. That picture captures what I experience regularly: - I turn on Oz Channel. And every day its all about Aussies Rules. On either side of the weekend its league. - This is ok, because they are the most widely played and watched winter sport in the country. What irks* me is the daily coverage of soccer. Scores, replays, players, coaches, administration. Lineup etc. Everyday, all the time. Watching it from overseas, you think that Rugby doesn't exist in Australia. And that Australians don't care about it. I have nothing against soccer, I think its a good game. But the issue I have is the total lack of coverage in Rugby. Its not the fault of Oz channel. What they are showing is a reflection of how Australian Rugby perceives and positions themselves, which in turn manifests in how the general public and media is engaged. *you may replace irk with a more satisfying four letter word
RoyHobbsJr
Guest
youre too late sponge..it already has!!