‘Back in my day’ seems like a ridiculous phrase to use when you are only 24 years old, however it seems appropriate when discussing rugby union in Australia.
The Wallabies played a Test match last weekend. While it was against Fiji and not the All Blacks or England, it was still a Wallabies match.
I didn’t even know it was on, let alone watch it. My father is rugby union mad and didn’t even realise a game was being played. Isn’t this a huge problem?
When I was growing up, the most exciting event in our sports obsessed family was Australian rugby union matches, especially those against New Zealand.
John Eales, George Gregan, Steve Larkham, Matt Burke and Toutai Kefu were names repeatedly brought up in dinner conversation. Now, rugby union isn’t discussed in our house. I played rugby from the ages of 9 to 18, and absolutely adored it. Yet, when I first started AFL, I fell in love and haven’t looked back since.
I didn’t recognise half the names on the team sheet for last week’s match, whereas I used to be able to tell anyone the hometown of the third string hooker. It’s not the lack of knowledge that disappoints me, it’s the lack of concern. When I heard the Wallabies played against Fiji, I asked what the score was and forgot about it a second later.
Whose fault is this? Is it mine? I have grown up and developed (some) interests outside of sport, but my life still revolves around it. Do I blame the Waratahs for the poor performances over the past couple of years?
Do I blame the ARU and Bill Pulver? Have the other codes become more appealing to young boys and girls? It would be very interesting to see the participation rates at the grassroots level of rugby union, as I am sure they would be decreasing.
Australian sport is so much better when the Wallabies are supported, and it seems to me that a return to the ‘good old days’ is warranted. I am not sure how rugby union is going to accomplish this, as the code is clearly facing an uphill battle.
With the June Tests now upon us (apparently), it would seem the ideal time to bring the green and gold back to the forefront.
Daveski
Guest
Agree Peter, Channel 10 don't seem to do a lot of promoting of these matches. No ads in the main daily papers ( with articles generally well buried 10-12 pages back so that doesn't help either). But I wonder what media content Reidy consumes. He sounds a bit under a rock. Did he know the BIL were touring NZ for instance?
Not Fickle
Roar Rookie
Hullo RtR, gone to aerial ping pong then come back and bag the sport you (presumably) loved. Sounds like a typical afl supporter to me.
Hoy
Roar Guru
The June test window has been terribly low key. I would imagine the whole point of having the day test would be a family atmosphere? Allowing everyone to attend? Yet advertising of the games are practically non existent. There are known knowns, and known unknowns... but it's the unknown unknowns that are the issue here. IF they want more people to come to tests, they have to engage everyone. Not just rugby mad fans, but maybe just rugby fans, or hell, look out, even just sports fans. The attendance of 13,000 to an international game is poor. ARU needs to look at the whole picture... pricing, advertising etc.
piru
Roar Rookie
Typical - man makes a legitimate point and people rubbish it because they don't agree with one line. 'Rugby mad' does not necessarily equal 'Wallaby mad' or even 'Super rugby mad' does it? Stop congratulating yourselves on your clever dissection of the author's wording and look at what he's actually saying. People in general don't know who the Wallabies are anymore - go back 20 years and most people could name you at least 4 or 5 Wallabies, now most non fans will name Israel Folau and that's about it (although Perth people still say Nathan Sharpe - apparently he made an impression).
PeterK
Roar Guru
I think the valid point s the marketing of rugby tests is deplorable. Sure rugby mad people should know when they are on but what about spreading the message to the casual fan a bit better. I know the financials are in a mess but cut down on admin, sack your marketing dept and hire some decent marketing people and give them a budget
GAZdog
Guest
No cupcake, you are wrong, this is a real issue being played out in many households in Australia, well NSW and Qld anyway.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
I guess the answer to that is not what can rugby do for me but what can I do for rugby (sorry JFK ). I don't give up on Australia just cause I don't like who's in charge at any particular time, I get involved and try to change things as I do with rugby. I don't know how many people comment on the rugby site, might be a 100 , might be a 1000, no matter, we all disagree at times about everything, but we a rugby people who care and are trying to make a difference. Join us, make a difference, we will rise again.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
Good man ...
ReidytheRegaler
Roar Rookie
I have a ticket to the game!
ReidytheRegaler
Roar Rookie
Agreed. I take ownership for my decline in support and interest, however don't you think the code should be doing more for fans like me over the past 5 years?
ReidytheRegaler
Roar Rookie
Whilst I had (or have now) taken responsibility for not being as up to date with the Rugby Union as possible, surely you're not blaming the fan base for the issues with the code at the moment?
Dutski
Roar Guru
The build up has been low key, I agree. But the real problem is how you went to afl. You failed to resist the lure of the Dark Side and now you are wondering whose fault this is? I think you know... (Meanwhile I'll just tighten my helmet and wait for the Code War rocks to start rattling my roof..)
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Whose fault is it ? It's yours mate, your on the roar , how did you not notice that there is a bit of rugby being played at the moment. We also have a super comp going on and all these articles and blogs you see under the rugby heading are mainly about the wallabies, the abs and the super comp. strange hey
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
FYI ... they're playing Scotland this week
Council
Guest
When someone says they are rugby mad, or used to be, yet can't say when their national team is playing, they are talking out of their proverbial. And this is the big problem with Austin rugby. There is a problem? Stick your head in the ground. The ARU is the same. If Aus Rugby had the support over the last 20 years that the Force has had this year, Aus rugby would be in a far different position.
jeff dustby
Guest
council , go an have a lie down. most people here love to blame the ARU, its denial and avoiding the fact that no one cares
Council
Guest
You're rugby mad? Your father is rugby mad? Yet neither of you knew a game was on? Bullocks. Absolutely bullocks. No sports mad fan misses their teams game? Yes it is your fault, you haven't chosen to follow the sport you're "mad" for. That is why you can't name any players, or care to watch the team play. You aren't a Wallaby supporter. Or a Rugby supporter. You are a part time, fair weather supporter. People like you are the reason the sport is doing so poorly in Australia.