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The ARU should milk this for all it's worth

Success on the field is all well and good, but sometimes a bit of effort with the fans is even more important.(photo: Glenn Nicholls)
Roar Pro
7th August, 2014
2

And green may the fields grow and golden may the harvest be.

The Waratahs are riding a wave of public enthusiasm following their stellar season. Around 61’000 fans experienced and witnessed their ascension to the pinnacle of Super Rugby at the ground – setting a Super Rugby record in the process.

And what a spectacle they were treated to. It was a rollercoaster of a game, beginning with possibly the best opening stanza from a Super Rugby team since the Brumbies opening against the Crusaders in ’04.

All before the inevitable fight back. I remember thinking to myself that only the Crusaders could still be in with a chance after that start. The middle period, as they suffered the slings and arrows and yet still remained able to return fire as the score changed hands, was incredible to say the least.

And then the grand finale – some may say Richie McCaw was hard done by, and long may they hold that belief. What Foley provided was simply inspirational, and let us hope, from an Australian point of view, that it continues forward into the Bledisloe next week.

But where to next for the ARU?

Logic dictates they should milk this for all it is worth, and I’m sure they will. How do they milk the hell out of it?

I am talking about mid week matches.

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The Crusaders-England match was wonderful. Not because the game was any good, not because it made the Canterbury Union a bucket load of money – I’m assuming it did, and the full house can’t have hurt the coffers – and certainly not because it provided product to be sold in a previously unvalued air time.

It was fantastic for other reasons.

Firstly, it gave fringe players the opportunity to press their claims for international honours – or provincial starting places from the Cantab perspective. Secondly, it gave a welcome break to the somewhat oppressively competitive scheme of the league (little ‘l’) format – they are, for all purposes, irrelevant, so why not go for the try over the points? And lastly, for the fans, a chance to see their beloved up against some of the best in the world is wonderful – anyone who saw Luke Morahan score that cracker of a try for the Reds against the British and Irish Lions will understand what such a moment means.

But it is not just the touring international sides that should be playing these mid-week matches. It should be every touring team.

Each Super team, at every possible opportunity, should be in the spotlight to advance the game – especially in Australia, where the sport is lagging the most.

From a top down model, I would have any touring international team play a provincial team on the Wednesday night preceding the Saturday match. It would give them a good hit-out before and, assuming the top players would be rested, a good ‘test’ for the fringe players.

Similarly, why not have Super Rugby teams slaughter a club side in the lead up to their match each weekend. I’m imagining (my beloved) Wests losing by 50 points to the ‘Canes, but guaranteeing a record crowd. Personally, I wouldn’t mind being run over by Ma’a Nonu or Julian Savea if it meant a great story to tell my friends/kids and a windfall for my club.

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Ideally, I would seek the return of full tours even at the Championship level. Imagine the four Rugby Championship teams embarking on a series of tours – one away and at home each year, alternating biannually – and then abandoned in World Cup years.

I think it would be better for the game, the spectators, the players and far more importantly me.

I understand the players’ concern regarding burn-out, but I can only assume that players want to play, and would prefer to run in tries than to practice ‘dry runs’.

At the very least, the ARU should encourage touring teams to train at club fields as a means of giving an advantage to club sides.

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