Scott Fardy is wrong to blame the “faceless men of SANZAR” for the state of Aussie rugby. Instead, he should be blaming the men now plying their trade in the Australian Super Rugby teams.
Nowhere within these teams is a player who could be termed a star – someone whose talents and skills bring spectators and their money to games.
Israel Folau once did, but he has faded as a drawcard and noone has taken his place.
Players still earn kudos in the local media, but only after playing teams from the same conference, which operates several layers beneath the New Zealanders.
When you lose all 12 games with New Zealand sides from the start of the season, the position is dire and somehow trending downwards from last year.
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Which leads to the Bledisloe Cup, not held by Australia since 2003. On the Super Rugby form thus far, the Wallabies will be at least 10 points a game down on last year’s matches. If so, future games will become irrelevant as a contest, eroding interest to the point where stadiums will be half empty.
To make it competitive, scrap the idea of involving the All Blacks. Instead, the Wallabies should play the top three New Zealand Super Rugby sides.
Each of these teams would have at least two players good enough to make a World XV (more than the Wallabies) and have tried and tested combinations. Should the series end up drawn, then a play-off with the fourth New Zealand side could decide the outcome.
This would revive interest both within New Zealand and Australia.
Why? Simple, New Zealanders with a misguided hatred for the Crusaders would support the Wallabies. And if the Blues were playing, everyone south of the Bombay Hills would join in with the Australians.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
We could pick an understrength Tonga and ask them to wear black jerseys.
Jacko
Guest
What did you GAIN? ZERO???
Jacko
Guest
And a warm flannel.Always alternate hot and cold
ClarkeG
Guest
with a cold flannel
piru
Roar Rookie
I've spent the last few months, along with several other expats, arguing hard for the Force to remain in Perth - must be because we're so negative about Aussie rugby eh? Go have a lie down mate
piru
Roar Rookie
Oh I remember well Jacko - though it seemed a lot longer back then
piru
Roar Rookie
Would you if you brought home two championships and all people could say was that you're a sook? It astonishes me the little regard Aussies have for him - no one else has managed to tame that Ducati - not even Rossi. He was untouchable on that bike. I don't blame him for retiring early
piru
Roar Rookie
Joubert was and is a great ref Some people just prefer to blame refs than their own sides for losses
piru
Roar Rookie
You already tried to dangle Willie Ripia in front of me this week Rebellion (I assume you just recently came across this old story), and I've already answered you. Now would you care to explain how this has anything to do with the ridiculous assertion that its the refs being biased that lets the All Blacks enjoy the dominance they do? No? Would you care to stfu then? Cheers
ClarkeG
Guest
A cold flannel perhaps?
Zero Gain
Guest
The roar rugby is dominated by Kiwis. Some expat and living here, many taking every opportunity to lay the boot in whenever they can. Just read this thread if you want to understand their mindset. It's incredibly negative and condescending towards everything to do with Australian rugby and that often spills over to general derogatory statements about Australian sport and character. It is doing our rugby culture a huge amount of damage. It is a huge turn off as well. In fact, it is pretty well destroyed what rugby pride we had. Like a bullied child, we start to believe we are not worth anything after many years of abuse. Of course, like any bully, the perpetrators will blame us for everything.
ClarkeG
Guest
boyyyy.
ClarkeG
Guest
I think he is talking more than one slight deviation to be fair but geez how many would you like. How long can we stretch this piece of elastic As I said if the dog didn't ........
ManicReds
Guest
Dumb article!
Matt Jones
Guest
incorrect, the results clearly show we dont have enough good players. prove to me otherwise
Matt Jones
Guest
what a baseless statement
Matt Jones
Guest
its that number for people of PI heritage, not actually born in NZ.
Rebellion
Guest
Love it Piru - you never miss the opportunity to make an ungracious comment when talking about your beloved All Blacks. I wonder what you'd have to say about Willie Ripia?? Mods - you should reconsider vetting these articles before being posted. Doesn't do any fans a favour from either side
in brief
Guest
The slight deviation is a euphemism for a gawd awful refereeing decision - to put it bluntly Australia was robbed.
Johnno
Guest
One problem though competitiveness. Way back in 1988 Randwick played the All Blacks and got closer to beating them than the Wallabies did, the scoreline was closer than what the Wallabies could achieve lol.