Australian Rugby finds itself in a deep hole right now, undeniably of its own making. Rugby is being damaged every day that the ARU stays silent, but conversely the damage only seems to increase when they do speak up. So how do we sort this mess out?
The ARU board needs to have a long hard look at their agreement to cut an Australian Super Rugby team. The situation right now is this: if the ARU cut either the Force or the Rebels, then they will face a legal challenge to that decision that will eat away at any profit that they expected to make through this move in the first place.
The estimates are that the legal cost to the ARU could be up to $6 million. When this is deducted from the projected savings from cutting a team we are left with $9 million. These numbers are not definitive, but for the sake of argument let us assume they are accurate.
What does this $9 million do for Australian rugby in real terms? The ARU claim they will invest this money in “grassroots”, but what does “grassroots” actually means. Is it school programs? Local Clubs? Shute Shield? All of the above?
The truth is that the ARU either doesn’t have a plan or has been very secretive about it – why? Surely showing the rugby public exactly how the base level of the game will benefit from the reduction to four teams would be a key strategy to get people onto your side?
The money may yet fail to get to the grassroots at all, the state unions are already asking for the money to go to themselves and Andrew Cox has claimed the money should be fed back into the four remaining Super teams. Perhaps he has a point.
All of the Super clubs are struggling financially at the moment and cutting one does nothing to change that fact. So what have we actually solved if this goes ahead?
Removing the Rebels or the Force will have a devastating effect on rugby in those regions, not only will players and coaches be lost to the game, but pathways will be damaged and supporters will be disenfranchised and likely lost to the game, potentially for good.
Will $9 million of grassroots development be enough to counteract this negative impact on the game? Will this action put the four remaining Super clubs into a more stable financial position while improving performance? Will this action put Australian rugby into a stronger position than it is now?
I say the answer to all of these questions is no.
I believe the only way forward from here is for the ARU to tell SANZAAR that in light of current circumstances we will no longer agree to cut any Australian team from Super Rugby.
This action would of course require significant eating of humble pie and most likely a sigificant change of the ARU board.
But frankly, that was on the cards the moment cutting an Australian super team became their “plan A” without the slightest hint of other options having been explored.
Deliberately hurting Australian rugby by reducing the opportunities should always be the absolute last resort. But this board made it their first choice solution, which for me is unforgivable.
It is time for the ARU to stand up for all of Australian rugby and find a way to make all five Australian teams viable.
Get creative, find private owners, explore the Public ownership model floated by the Force, find ways to reduce costs, such as a centralised contracting model for coaches and players.
The board is made up of supposedly astute professionals from various fields so surely they can find a better way.
The prospect of losing a team has brought out both the best and worst of Australian rugby.
The passion of supporters, players and support staff for their team of choice is a joy to behold and shows just what these teams and this game means to so many of us.
But when you are fighting for survival the gloves come off, which has seen the various factions tearing each other down in an attempt to bolster their own chances of survival.
This is our darkest hour and is precisely when we need to stand together.
Out of this crisis is born a great opportunity to have an honest look at where the game is, where we want it to be and what has to be done in order to get us there.
Let us all find that path together.
Dean
Guest
Agree! The paywall is killing Rugby. ARU should get out from behind their Ivory tours and outside of their echo chamber. Rugby has a massive following, but FOXTEL, prevents access. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/28/rugby-union-dishing-up-games-sky-bt-sport
KIWILION
Guest
It's no use comparing Aust rugby to NZ, We have nearly every male child wanting to play for the AB's from the time they can run where as Aust have in the northern states, league and the southern states AFL. I think they need to cut a team to improve internationally, but also to build the culture in the other 4 teams. The culture I mean is a winning. If you start winning more than you lose you will grow culture, I am not meaning every game because that won't happen, to any team. But it all starts from 3 and 4 year olds watching and enjoying the game and wanting to be those players. Even as a Kiwi, I want Aust rugby to get better and occasionally (very occasionally!!!) to beat the AB's.
richard
Guest
If we have to cut a team my view would be to keep the Force given the grassroots rugby growth in the west (which is what rugby needs given th estrength of the other codes in Australia), can't do anything to the Rebels because of the private ownership issues so I think the only viable option is to cut the Brumbies, regardless of their prior proud super rugby history. Push the Brumbies talent to the other teams in major centres where there is larger audiences, larger advertising and marketing opportunities than Canberra. And replace Pulver as well given the paralysis the ARU is in due the inability to execute any strategy during his tenure.
AndyS
Guest
With the ARU taking over the Force, they will still be bound by those agreements. Same if they close them down...will still have to clear any outstanding liabilities.
Train Without A Station
Guest
The ARU would not have.
Train Without A Station
Guest
And the best way to get this information out is to be reported by the media... All this information was published through all the ARU and team channels. But you can't force the media to report it...
Justin Kearney
Guest
It could just be that rugby just does not appeal to the australian public anymore. It had its chance post world cup 2003 and blew it. Coming back is a huge problem as the nrl and afl are loaded with cash and football is unstoppable. Rugby has always been a players game. Maybe compared to other codes it does not translate to a broader audience. We have so much choice here. There is no doubt the aru have stuffed up but there is a big chance that it isnt fixable anyway.
AndyS
Guest
Wouldn't be so sure TWAS, my understanding is that NIB is administered by the state government. They may well have signed usage agreements for the duration of their contract...would almost be surprising if they hadn't. I have a suspicion the same may well also be true of their new headquarters and training facilities.
Train Without A Station
Guest
I don't need to be a lawyer to know that the ARU doesn't have any agreement with the WA Government...
Train Without A Station
Guest
ARU Strategic Plan 2016-2020. The gist is mimicking AFL's focus on AusKick and AFL 9s through Game On in schools and VIVA 7s to introduce kids to the game.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Not at all IB. But their strategic plan is. People are quick to forget they've clearly identified the focus areas only recently.
riddler
Guest
true dustby.. he went to bshs.. played league from juniors and still all through high school on sundays.. union was a 5 year gig from 13-17.. he was never going to be a union guy... he even admits it today.. would have loved him to be there playing outside ella or lynagh.. but for me o'connor was the bigger loss... he had it all..
Jeff Dustby
Guest
You think the ARU is unaware of this type of 40 year old form of marketing ? Maybe they know it doesn't work How good is the Shute shield ?
Jeff Dustby
Guest
Wally Lewis was from a league family and played his whole life
Baz
Guest
So just watched the King's beat the Tah's. What the hell is going on with Australian Rugby. All the discussion around the dilution of skills caused by an extra team surely can't be right. We have managed to win 2 Super Rugby titles with both the Rebels and Force on board. I will accept that the extra teams may have caused issues with depth but not to the extent that would produce the gap that has developed between Australia and our major competitors. Forget for a minute about Super Rugby, we were white washed by the Poms last year in our own country. Can't blame SANZAAR, the Rebels or the Force for that can we. The Bledisloe is a foregone conclusion. As with Super Rugby it is very difficult to watch Australian franchises or the Wallabies play at the moment. Australia needs to get Michael Cheika coaching at the Super Rugby level again. His skills are required at the Super Rugby level. Can't expect the Wallabies to win when our Super Rugby teams are failing so badly. Losing is infectious and habit forming. Australia is at the bottom of a very deep dark hole. The players coming into the Wallabies team are down on confidence and mentally not up to the challenge. We also need Ewen Mckenzie back at the helm of a Super Rugby side.
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, Again you are not a lawyer. Have you heard of any recent rumblings from Tony Shaw about the performances of the ARU CEO & Board?
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, You have no idea how important publicity, promotion & marketing is. In 2016 the ARU spent practically zilch on the NRC. It was embarrassing, my friends who are NRL & AFL people goaded me continuously, Who is playing in the NRC this weekend? Who won yesterday's NRC game? ETC ETC
In brief
Guest
Not sure if you can call the ARU's one line statements 'a plan'. I have been incredibly supportive of the ARU and they have done a lot of good things (nrc/ junior pathways/ public school programs) but this latest decision is very poor.
Jock Cornet
Guest
No one follows the NRC because they changed the rules and it his no support from the public or clubs. It is another white elephant. You really have no idea TWAS . You must be ARU
Train Without A Station
Guest
The WA government doesn't have any case against the ARU... This is because they have no contractual agreement with the ARU. Pretty irrelevant response concerned suporter.