Being a Wallabies fan is hard, it requires a certain level of dedication. There is no such thing as a fair weather fan, as there is not enough sunshine for them.
Yet we hold onto the hope and belief that the Wallabies will again reach the lofty heights that most of us remember.
I am a relatively young fan of rugby, having grown up in the southern-most state where I was not exposed to the game.
It wasn’t until I was 11 that I had my first experience of rugby in all its glory. It instantly made a big impression on me. I had personally never been a big fan of Australian Rules, preferring football over the preferred code in the southern states.
Looking back now, it was a stroke of luck that the first game of rugby I ever watched on TV was the 2001 Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney. If ever there was an easy Wallabies team to follow it was that one.
The following year was the last time the Wallabies won the Bledisloe. This fact alone shows that the Wallabies’ stocks are falling.
Watching the games from this golden era of Australian rugby is a reminder that the Wallabies can be Australia’s national team.
Over 90,000 people attended the game that year and the crowd was a sea of gold at full voice. But alas, since 2002 it has been hard being a Wallabies supporter. Forget all the stupid things that have happened off the field, it is what happens on it that counts.
The 2003 team can be easily forgiven because they almost won a World Cup that they had no rights to. Since those golden years the Wallabies have been an off-again, on-again kind of team and I use the ‘on-again’ term generously.
There have been a few highlights on the field, sure in 2010 ‘that guy’ kicked a game-winning penalty from 48 metres out in Bloemfontein, and sure the Wallabies somehow put 49 unanswered points on South Africa in 2006.
But somehow the Wallabies need to capture the hearts and minds of all the non-rugby purists (and many jaded rugby-purists). The way to achieve this is to consistently perform on the field. This is easier said than done, and I can acknowledge that having success on the field is not as simple as one fan’s desire and will.
The Wallabies attaining success means more players playing rugby, more fans watching at home on TV and more fans though the gates. It is important that the Wallabies are successful for the good of the game here in Australia.
The Australian sporting audience is too spoilt for choice to tolerate a mediocre national team. Worse still is a national team that does not show discernible improvements from game to game.
While the last Bledisloe Cup match of 2014 ended in yet another win for the All Blacks, there was at least something in that match to warm the hearts of fans.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Nice draw for Group A winner it seems. It almost sounds like whichever team wins their two early big matches between Eng, Wales and WB gets to the final. That being said and done, the banana skins are Fiji, who are capable of a surprise, and Ireland who will be breathing fire by the SF. Though to be sure I would rather face Ireland (away from Landsdown Road) than the AB or SA any day.
ThugbyFan
Guest
For Birdy and the Battered One. Tis true that NZ was saved another 24 years of mourning and ribbing by the Aussies. Mainly thanks to Craig Joubert's bad eyesight in the 78th minute as the kiwi forward, laying on his back at the bottom of the ruck, slaps the ball back to his mates and they "win" the ball. Right in front of the kiwi posts, poor Craig's knees went to water as his mind threw around "do I award a penalty and am lucky to leave this joint alive or do I suddenly not see and become an honorary kiwi"? History will tell you the answer. :)
Groucho Jones
Roar Rookie
Does this mean we can expect to see an exodus of disgruntled fans from the Kangaroos now?
Harry Jones
Expert
The two top areas to focus on, IMO, are: 1. ID and nurture legit mongrel tight forwards from early on; build a corps of ferocious J-Pots. 2. Grassroots competitions; invigorate them.
RobC
Roar Guru
Avz, Rugby in Oz became mainstream in early 90s. This was when WBs won the World Cup and started to win against ABs / Bleds. During this awakening most Aussies (who dont follow Rugby) equate the Rugby with winning WBs. That is why the Bled is considered important by ARU, media etc This has to change. The key catalyst to change is is appreciation of the game, through: - grassroots (http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/05/04/aru-needs-focus-grassroots-rugby/) - appropriate articulation (http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/12/18/come-on-board-the-rugby-train-its-the-best-game-out-there/) - aggressive local competition aka 'the H4TE) (http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/02/14/australian-rugby-going-shute/)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Others will have different thoughts but for me, the priorities are (in order) 1) Maintain No 1 Ranking of all test playing nations (if not for anything else, for bragging rights) 2) RWC, while a tournament only and has a very short pedigree, it comes around only once every four years and it sort of confirms the No 1 ranking status and again, gives bragging rights. 3) Bledisloe Cup - because of the long history, not quite got the panache of the Ashes but in some ways similar (at least to me. 4) Maintaining unbeaten record against Ireland, Argentina and Scotland national sides Grand Slam and beating the Boks in a series is off the radar to me and maintaining No 1 ranking sort of addresses that. In terms of the Springboks, the rugby community in NZ certainly look on them as being our greatest traditional rivals but it is unlikely that we will see a tour of the AB's as in years gone by.
Emric
Guest
I hope it never happens. Regardless of my dislike for the sport there are millions of Australians who love it and no reason for them to miss out on something they love.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Birdy, there is going to be a lot of discussions before and during the tournament as to who will lift the trophy in the 2015 edition of the RWC. Of course as an All Black supporter, I am hopeful but cannot say I am 'super confident' like some. Then again, many talk about home ground advantage but I think that is diluted by the weight of expectation which alone will bring significant pressure, I suppose the fear of failure in front of home fans might be a huge burden. England faces that challenge once more. While the pedigree of the Web Ellis is brief, less that 50% have been won by the home team, that I think is a damning statistic and might illustrate how difficult it is to win at home. What I do believe though, is that come knock out rounds, there will unlikely be a flurry of tries scored and the eventual winner irrespective of which side of the draw they are on, will need to display a great deal of tenacity, determination, a bit of luck with injuries in key positions, and who have players that who can deliver a touch of brilliance. The side that will prevail in 2015 will be the best balanced side playing to, or close to their potential. Who will that team be? ... We will all know in October.
riddler
Guest
Yep.. certain players love a media bite.. Wish they would look for the covering tackle or have as quick and safe hands as they do for a camera or a tweet..
Birdy
Guest
I agree. I also think the only way England can win the RWC is by winning the group. It's way too much to go through that pool and then face the Boks in the QF; ABs in the SF and then Ireland, France Australia or Wales in the final. I'm becoming a nervous wreck as I think the two most likely possibilities for England in the RWC is either they don't make it out of the group or reach the final.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Fair comment ... in the meantime tracked back (just because I was curious) and it was Gatland the coach who thought Lee would be 50/50 with a couple of warm up games before the start of the RWC... time will tell. Anyhow at this stage before a shot has been fired in anger, my pick is for Aussie and England to advance out of the Group. From the Wallabies perspective I think the only way they can win the RWC is by winning Group A for reasons we had just documented ... at least that is my view.
Birdy
Guest
I'm frequently told on these boards, B. Slav, that I don't 'understand Kiwis'. If you're right then I definitely agree. The Bledisloe is played every year; the RWC every 4 years. You've already got experience of going 24 years between RWC wins. If you'd lost that 2011 final, which at one stage it looked like you would, I shudder to think what would have happened - collective, national nervous breakdown might have been the best of it - yet the Bledisloe is more important ?
The Battered Slav
Guest
I'd argue that the NZ fans' biggest concerns are: 1. Losing the Bledisloe 2. Losing the World Cup 3. Winning the World Cup 4. Winning a series against the Boks in RSA 5. Grand Slam 6. Winning the Bledisloe
Birdy
Guest
Haven't seen an update recently. However, he's only got a small handful of caps anyway. Being 'fit' and being ready for a RWC are two very different things. Even if he's medically fit, that's a nasty injury for a prop and I'd be amazed if he's firing on all cylinders. An inexperienced tighthead at 80% capacity doesn't fill me with dread going into the Wales match no matter how big his potential.
Birdy
Guest
Sorry, RT, Hit send by mistake. ...................I also think the winner of Group A is in a very strong position. From what I understand the QF would be against Samoa or Scotland with France or Ireland in the SF - not easy, but you'd take that any day.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
After his achilles tendon op, I thought Lee was better than a 50:50 chance to play in the world cup? At least that was what I believe I read some time back
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah and a true grand slam these days doesn't really exist. We were always 'france' in the grand slam equation. Ie beat the four home unions. Now there are six teams, five needed for any one side to win from the 6N. Which five do we ever play? Goalposts have moved on that one. And when do we have tours of the Republic? I think the rugby championship is second to the World Cup but is harder to win. Then the Lions, Then the bledisloe, then anything else- Nh tours or eoyt.
Birdy
Guest
Agree with all that, RT. Apart from the sheer brutality of the group in general, Wales have a particular problem at tighthead, with the international retirement of Adam Jones and loss of the next 'star' destined to replace him, Samson Lee, with injury. If Wales are weakened at scrum time they're in trouble. England could dominate them unless they sort it out, and if the WBs have a comfy time in the scrum against them it makes the WBs favourite for that clash. .I also think the winner of Group A
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I think Birdy that Wales also have a bit to be concerned about but they will be very dangerous too... they seem to be sneaking under the radar a bit at the moment.. While no lay down misère, I think the winner of Group A will probably make the final whereas, the runner up will be consigned to the 'other half' where teams such as the Springboks and All Blacks lurk. If say England won Group A and were to make the final they would need to possibly beat Argentina in the QF then Ireland in the SF (also no certainty). If the runner up of Group A were to lift Bill in that instance (assuming it to be Aussie or the Welsh), it is likely that they would need to beat the Springboks in the QF, All Blacks in the SF (assuming the AB;s can get over their nemesis France, their likely QF opponent) then England in the final ... a task that I think would be a monumental achievement over three consecutive weekends. I think it shows the importance of topping Group A would be much more desirable.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
I’m a All Black fan and a supporter. "I do give a stuff if they win or lose".... however their results have zero impact on my support of the team.