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Despite a surprising, almost phoenix-like effort to get to the World Cup final, where are the overtures of support that one would normally expect with an Australian team reaching the pinnacle of a world sport?
Do we see the big screens rolled out for public viewing, creating atmosphere and a sense of community in this modern, splintered society?
Where are the buildings adorned in gold, giving our players the sense that those at home are all behind them and instilling a greater sense of importance?
Where is the effort to engage everyone on the ‘stronger as one’ motto that the ARU decided was a galvanising marketing slogan?
Nowhere.
I haven’t seen a Wallabies flag, a gold banner or even an errant kangaroo with boxing gloves in Sydney this week. Take it back twelve months and the promotion of the Socceroos and the FIFA World Cup was everywhere to be seen.
The FFA did a marvellous job and despite our team not having much of a chance in another ‘Pool of Death’ we all knew the support was there.
The water-cooler chat was in abundance and everyone bandied around the team as the press jumped on anything remotely associated with the World Cup. Jerseys were bought, balls were kicked (ahem) and Ange Postecoglou became a household name.
Earlier this year I attempted to buy a Wallabies jersey for my overgrown four-year-old nephew. What followed had me gobsmacked by the incompetency of the ARU marketing department.
You cannot buy a Wallabies jersey size six. Anywhere. Period. Not even from the manufacturer after you sweet-talk the phone operator for 15 minutes that could have been better spent looking at Insta-babes.
However they do make a kids’ size four and size eight jersey. Excuse me? What age do kids start playing rugby may you ask? That’s right, five or six! I wonder which year is your best opportunity to grab these potential fans for life? Perhaps a World Cup year – i.e. now?
So, I ended up paying $90 for a size six used jersey from the 2007 World Cup. Desperate measures I know, but the kid could be the next Tim Horan, David Pocock or David Campese! To make matters worse, I can pop down the local sport store and buy an All Blacks size six immediately. Do I hear a harrumph?
So as it stands, the ARU seems to have the attitude of ‘Well if we win it’s job done’.
If we don’t win, then what?
We hope that the team keeps winning games at a fair percentage and maybe the sevens team gets a medal at the Rio Olympics? These events hardly rate alongside a World Cup final. Do we ever want to extend our game beyond the private school and financial sponsor crowd?
This is a world-class event that is being given amateur-level promotion. Our team and our code deserve better.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.