NRL attracts fans for its exiting, eventful and lively approach, so why can’t rugby union do the same? It can only benefit the Australian game.
The NRL hosts the State of Origin and it is considered to be one of the most exciting events in Australian sports, with a sell out stadium and booming television viewings.
Australian rugby may not be able to accommodate an interstate origin-esque series, but we could look into exiting events which people want to be a part of. Think something that goes beyond the Tri-Nations or Bledisloe, innovation will be the key to the ARU’s success.
It is no wonder Australian rugby is struggling with its juniors, they have been drawn to other codes that they want to be involved in.
The ARU are constantly influenced by the All Blacks management and cannot provide decisions which are original, so it’s also no wonder the All Blacks are more successful than us.
The strongest idea that I could recommend to the ARU is to look into teaming the Wallabies up with the All-Blacks to create a combined Anzac squad.
The squad could end up looking a bit like this:
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Stephen Moore
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. James Horwill
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Liam Messam
7. Michael Hooper
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Dan Carter
11. Julian Savea
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Ben Smith
15. Israel Folau
16. Keven Mealamu
17. James Slipper
18. Owen Franks
19. Richie McCaw
20. Scott Higginbotham
21. Will Genia
22. Quade Cooper
23. Corey Jane
Coach: Steve Hansen
Assistant: Ewen McKenzie
The props have got to be Kiwi, because Australian props are struggling at the moment. The hooker should be Stephen Moore, he held the Wallabies on his shoulders when they needed him and his line out is great. He’s a good defender and a good ball runner.
James Horwill and Sam Whitelock at locks would settle to be a good combination for the two big men, providing various line out options and solid defence.
In the back row I would have Michael Hooper at open side, he is young, in form and has the ability to still play well even if his team are under performing. At blindside I would have Liam Messam, he provides good leadership and a solid all round game. At number eight it’s a no brainer, IRB player of the year Kieran Read secures the role.
In the back line, Daniel Carter has the playmaking role of being fly half, with his incumbent halves partner being Aaron Smith. In the centres it will consist of an All Black pairing. On the wings Julian Savea and Ben Smith hold stable their positions while the superstar Israel Folau wears the fifteen.
With this Anzac team we could host a World XV or even organise the British and Irish Lions to tour for a three-Test series.
Wouldn’t that be exiting? Would you want to watch that?
These Test series could be played at stadiums such as ANZ and Eden park, it would guarantee sell-out crowds.
Other ideas could be an Australian-born Polynesian squad against the Polynesian countries such as Samoa and Tonga – that would also be an exiting clash to watch!
The event everybody wants to see though, is a Kangaroos versus Wallabies clash. Two matches where the Wallabies play a game of rugby league, and one where the Kangaroos play a game of union. If that isn’t possible then why not organise a Super Rugby side versus an NRL side?
I am convinced that ideas like these would attract youngsters to the game of rugby union and the future of Australian rugby would be deemed secure.
But our biggest concern right now is getting Super Rugby on free-to-air television, once we nail that in then we can turn our attention to wild and radical ideas.
xavialonso
Guest
I' ve watched the rugby union and soccer world cups. But nothing, absolutely nothing comes close to State of Origin! Nothing!
Thunderguts
Guest
Rollo M excellent comments. As you say we already have an excellent game in SR but the ARU continue to focus on unproven ventures such as the NRC rather than enhancing the existing game which would be a more cost effective utilisation of limited funds and resources. It is interesting reading the comments on this subject that most people want to discuss irrelevant detail such as Folau vs Dagg and pretty much ignore the real issue --The survival and growth of Rugby in Australia particularly in light of yesterdays SANZAR meeting.
Clark
Guest
Dagg isn't even the best 15 in New Zealand at the moment. Ben Smith is so much better than Folau, just need to hope Hansen is over trying to make Smith a Centre. The emergence of Malakai Fekitoa is very encouraging.
Clark
Guest
Barrett will have passed Cruden by then I reckon.
Rollo Manning
Guest
I cannot understand why all the ideas on what could be when we have a game that given free to air TV time could do all what everyone wants. The game of Super Rugby as seen through the Super Rugby matches is as good as it gets and a far better spectacle that any league, Aussie Rules or Soccer that anyone else can put on. So why all the different approaches when we have the best at the click of a remote and all it needs is to be on Free to Air. Channel Ten should be wooed more by the rugby public to embrace the Super Rugby competition and show Nine and Seven and the ABC that it (Channel 10) has a superior game. Such a move would have to be supported by all the rugby union community and use social media to aggressively promote the fact that the best game is now also on FTA to compete with the other three football games in the winter "down under". So lets stop the speculation on what could be and go with what we have got - a damned good game that just needs more promotion to a larger audience. Lets see another Nike and "just do it" at the next iteration of the Super Rugby competition starting 2016
Scrubbit
Guest
No it's just that everyone needs to keep the ARU afloat. They broke as $#!+ Rugby is expensive to play in Australia. (Which is probably why mostly private schools make up the GPS in Brisbane/gold coast)
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I doubt the All Blacks would change their back three formation to accommodate Folau for the same reason I can't see Ben Smith switching to the back unless Jane earns another recall. Folau would probably play left wing and I don't think he's in Savea's class, but there aren't many Wallabies with stat power and for the purposes of this exercise he'd be the first Wallaby name penned in.
Jerry
Guest
"One try in 3 games outplays dagg with 0" Dagg set up a few though. Both have strong points and weaknesses. I suspect if both were available, room would be made for both.
dsf
Guest
Wow my younger cousin in u11s paid $45 in fees not sure if socks and shorts were included but it would still be less than $100. Maybe aussies have better facilities to cover though.
dsf
Guest
Folau is not good enough to play fb for abs simply because dagg is there. Folau would be better on the wings with savea. Dagg is basically the 3rd playmaker his quick hands, vision and kicking game make him better than folau for the role also its not like the guy cant break the line when he runs. Folau suits the wing where dagg will put him one on one with north and folau can do his own thing and score at ease. With the form issue i think you will notice that its more down to the crusaders culture being not as expressive as some of the other teams, put dagg in chiefs of highlanders and he will be in more attacking teams.
almark
Guest
One of either B.Smith, C.Jane, C.Piutau or I. Dagg will probably miss next years world cup assuming B.Barrett is covering fullback on the reserve bench.
Danny Shaz
Roar Rookie
Folau catching the high ball over Dagg easy. Folau beating defenders better than dagg. Folau's runs cover more meters And wasn't Dagg benched this season for super rugby. Any more evidence??
Danny Shaz
Roar Rookie
Folau outplays Dagg
Brian
Guest
That was more because Conrad Smith took some time off rather than making room for Jane
Danny Shaz
Roar Rookie
Yeah, 5 tests lets see He made his debut last season and played bledisloe That's 3 games he played One try in 3 games outplays dagg with 0
Ethan
Guest
ANZACS would not be the best name because it stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, and clearly these guys are not army corps. If they played in commemoration of the ANZACS it would be fitting to have the ANZAC emblem on the jersey perhaps, but the name is no good for a rugby team.
Ethan
Guest
The only team I would be interested to see AUS/NZ play against would be another combined team. ie. B&I LIONS. And only once every four years. The AUS/NZ rivalry is a great one. Let's not diminish by all of a sudden becoming friends! A combined League/Union game would be a mess also. Let's be honest - these are money chasing ideas only. Not genuine products we want to see.
Digby
Roar Guru
It this year mate!!!!!! I can feel it ;)
Marty
Guest
Too true, without the eastern states freeloaders we could afford the finest imports money can buy....Even if they kept "Auralia" the south eastern part of WA as was proposed, along with its gold and nickel resources, we would still have the iron and gas from up north.....that would do us.
Marty
Guest
That's a crazy amount for junior sport. My son has always paid about $200, which includes the shorts, socks etc.