Like all Wallaby fanatics, I long for the day when the Wallabies are ranked number one in the world, have regained the Bledisloe Cup, and become the first country to win a third Rugby World Cup.
Those are the basic necessities to break the Wallabies current image of “ho-hum”.
The guidelines are there for all to see, starting with the Alan Jones coaching era capturing the only Grand Slam in 1984, and the Bledisloe in 1986.
Bobby Dwyer winning the Bledisloe in 1992, and the Rugby World Cup in 1991.
And Rod Macqueen’s golden era, the best of the lot, with the Bledisloe from 1998 to 2001, Rugby World Cup in 1999, Tri-Nations 2000 and 2001, and beating the British and Irish Lions 2-1 for the first and only time in 2001.
A full house.
The media is a litmus test of how the Wallabies are rated, and viewed.
Over the years the Sydney Daily Telegraph has been very supportive of rugby, but even now after seven Test wins and last weeks 12-all draw with the All Blacks, today’s paper is a case in point.
There are 19 pages of sport in the “Tele”, rugby is on the 18th and 19th, last card in the sporting pack.
And tomorrow is a do-or-die Bledisloe Cup clash at hoodoo Eden Park.
If the Wallabies enjoyed a better image you would expect coverage of Eden Park in the first three sporting pages, at worst.
Television coverage hasn’t been much better, the main stories in the last two days have been riveting quotes saying forwards will win the Test, hardly news, and the standard of refereeing which has been appalling for yonks, but SANZAR and the IRB won’t budge on their favourites.
So how are the Wallabies going to improve their image?
Since Ewen McKenzie was elevated to Wallaby coach last year, there have been many exhilarating moments of pure magic rugby – in patches.
But it’s a start.
Until the Wallabies match the Waratahs consistency that won them their first Super title at their 19th attempt to give the Wallabies the blueprint, the men-in-gold will have to put up with being treated as the poor cousins of the NRL, AFL, and football.
That image can change overnight when the Wallabies beat the All Blacks, especially at Eden Park.
The Daily Telegraph, no doubt, will donate the front and back pages to the historic 80 minutes, television will lead news coverage and spill over to the sporting section for the ultimate image turnaround.
All because the Wallabies will have raised the bar to an expected level, rather than just talking about it.
And Ewen McKenzie will be elevated to the eras of Alan Jones, Bobby Dwyer, and Rod Macqueen.
Then we’ll be talking turkey.
For the moment we’re just waiting.
James Campbell
Guest
Absolutely spot on. The euphoria from Zavos & Fitzsimons after the Waratahs Super rugby win was ridiculous...and they both used the occasion to inexplicably round on rugby league in the SMH. Why do they do that? Why can't they just focus on rugby union and keep their feet on the ground when something positive happens. It was pride before the fall
Old Pete
Guest
Australian Rugby will only become a consistent winner with the broader (fickle) public when it gets better administration and structures.In that respect,both the Kiwis and the Saffas have,and still do,kill us.Please let's stop all this tosh from the commentariat about gallant defeats and the boys played well when have been beaten and our play was not up to standard.That is another area where the aforementioned countries don't carry on with such rubbish.
Targa
Guest
It is funny which books you read - we had the impression they feared the Kiwis the most! I know for a fact that Rommel's soldiers feared the Maori battalion the most in North Af in WWII
BeastieBoy
Guest
Thw article is correct in what it says, but there is more to it. The supporter is sick of the fawning rugby media on TV who just won't ask the hard questions. They have also become aware that the main strategy for success is the Wallabies and the ARU have no interest in club rugby. Their support of the juniors is appalling. The only pathway is via elite GPS schools or being a ex kiwi. So disenchanted parents and their kids have turned away from the game. There are less teams in the schools playing it. The CIS schools rep team players are not viewed as being representative of the best. The games rules need modernizing. It's not just about the wallabies. If less kids play it, there will in future be less adults to watch it and sponsor it. If you don't create real pathways for those less fortunate not only will you lose out on them but also on those who dislike unaustralian elitism.
My mate James
Guest
Not just their readers' tastes - News Corp owns several RL clubs including the Broncos and also has a stake in the comp and also in broadcasting, the NRL has a huge presence on pay TV when you compare it with here AFL which has a better FTA deal. I'd say News is looking after its own interests more than anyone else's.
atlas
Guest
having just lost a series 0-3 v NZ, I fail to see how that #1 position could suddenly be England's? They are 'probably' #3
Nabley
Guest
It is always nice to dream. The unfortunate reality is the team has to win. My simple suggestion is let them get on with it. They are show is good as any team Australia has put up in recent years, they simply have to hit the high notes on the day. With the constant demands of the media, that is likely to be later than earlier.
Squirrel
Guest
Tackling problem
Knightblues
Guest
The wallabies have a heart problem
hozza
Guest
Keep longing David. It ain't gonna happen very soon.
Imperialist
Guest
The result of Saturdays game-NZ 51 Australia 21-suggests, I think, that Wallabies still have a problem, don't you think, in winning at Eden Park?
Imperialist
Guest
NZ 51 Wallabies 20
Imperialist
Guest
New Zealand 51 Australia 20. I think that this in combination with England's results against NZ quite clearly shows that England should rank above Wallabies in IRB rankings. England are probably number 1 or 2 in the world. I don't think that Wallabies will get out of group at RWC 2015
Knightblues
Guest
Wallabys have no heart when they go to nz, they give up before the kick off
Tom Groggin
Roar Rookie
You read on Crickey that News Ltd isn't going well? and I read in the Pyongang Daily Post that Kim Jong is admired world wide.
Daniel Smith
Guest
Kurtley Beale has to be dropped, what place does he hold in the squad after tonight he has to go, he has had more positions than a porn star.
Josh
Guest
Here we have a sport that is proud to stick to its little North Shore / Eastern Suburbs bubble but complains they aren't getting enough exposure ? Hilarious, couldn't even bring themselves to call the NRC team Western Sydney - going with some place called Greater Sydney ? Where is Greater Sydney anyway ? You may as well have called the team 'that part of Sydney we don't have to live near luckily'.
Mike
Guest
Yes, but you won't be able to do anything for grassroots until you increase sources of revenue. Anyway, I also am not that worried. I think the NRC should have happened several years ago, but at least it is happening and it appears to be financially sustainable. That means Australian rugby finally* owns a product which is sellable to Australian media. Its a start.
Mike
Guest
How has the past shown that? I am not necessarily disagreeing with you, but just curious.
Mike
Guest
"If the Wallabies had been more competitive in the past decade and had won the Bledisloe once or twice in that period, coverage could be more prominent." But if they had been busted for mass peptide use, coverage would be even more prominent.