It seems to me that the ARU has lost sight of commercial reality.
There is an elephant in the room. Whoops, sorry, or is it just an ant. No one can see it and no one wants to speak about it. Move on and nobody will get hurt or say anything!
We are in a commercially-driven world where results are everything, and where tough decisions are made every day for the benefit of the company we work in. We all agree that sport is now a business. So why is it that we are finding it hard to make the easy decisions?
In commerce, if a business is failing, then the decisions are made to retrench, centralise resources, back off a bit and re-build.
I think we can all agree that Australian rugby is not just in the doldrums, they are being blown backwards at a rate of knots. Not just on the field but in the boardroom, and in the marketplace as well. And nobody has seen the light to make those harsh decisions.
Let’s break it down for you to fully understand. Poor results mean no bums on seats. No bums on seats means no income. No income mean finish. Simple.
At present the ARU are hoping for a miracle of results (on the field, in the board room and perhaps in court) to re-sell the bums on seats that they need to rejuvenate the game and bring the people back.
Reality is that’s just not going to happen. Even a victory over Italy in Brisbane this weekend is not the answer to the problem. Or thou a loss would certainly spell even greater disaster for them.
The ARU need to take control, and make that hard decision to scrap both the Rebels and the Force. But importantly, they must stay in the Super Rugby competition. They need to still compete against the Kiwis and South Africa. They also need to build better relations with grassroots, retain the NRC, whether that format is right or not is another debate, but keep the Super Rugby going!
Why both franchises then?
Neither team really have the cattle to compete. In fact, Australia doesn’t have the cattle to support five teams in Super Rugby. Sure, they win a few games now and then, but are they really competitive all the time? Remember the Aussie teams are 0 from 23 against New Zealand teams this year in Super Rugby. This goes back to the point of centralising resources. Enough said!
The Rebels – In Melbourne, rugby is fighting a losing battle to establish the code against the might and power of the AFL, the already established NRL Storm, and two football clubs, the Victory and the City. I know Melbourne is a sporting city, but really, the dollar can only go so far.
The NRL invested wisely and brought some real talent to Melbourne in the form of both players and coaches. And they gained wins on the field and have been able to continue to build the brand of a winning team.
They have some buy-in from the locals because they are consistently competitive. They may struggle once the likes of Cameron Smith and Billy Slater retire, but I’m sure they have a plan in place for that.
The Rebels on the other hand haven’t really won anything. They haven’t made finals and are just really making up the numbers to a very weak Australian Conference. The ARU have allowed them to set up, and meander along. But they really haven’t looked like a team who is going to achieve anything soon, and they are not really contributing meaningful to the growth of the game here in Australia.
The same can be said about the Force. The play week in week out, without any real results. No outstanding contributions towards the growth of the game, and nothing in the trophy cabinet. They too are simply making up the numbers.
If the ARU centralise the resources, it will mean some players will have to move offshore to further their personal rugby ambitions or drop down to the tier below where they are at. But quite frankly they are not cutting it here in the first place at the Super Rugby level. There will also be some displacement from the three remaining teams as well, as they cannot continue to have players who are not up to it.
In the commercial world, they call it a few things. Redundancy, layoffs, disestablishment of positions. Call it what you like, it’s commercial reality.
So some local ACT, NSW and Queensland players will also be laid-off. Perhaps some of those who are over the hill and playing on reputation rather than form should look further abroad for future income. France and Japan come to mind. Then those who are of the right quality from the Force or the Rebels can slot into the remaining franchises.
The ARU can then rebuild by centralising their resources, build stronger teams and get better results.
Just like the good old days of Australian rugby where Australia held the Bledisloe Cup of five years in a row. This was 1998-2002. There were three Super Rugby teams, centralised resources, and combinations that worked together.
I think they might have even won a world cup or two back in the day.
Okay, so I’m a Kiwi, that doesn’t take from the passion for the game I love so much, and as a rugby diehard, it pains me to see the runner-up in the most recent world cup struggling so very badly in the two years since.
So it wasn’t an elephant after all, just some blokes unwilling to make the hard calls
When it comes to the structure of the game in Australia, the running of the game at the grassroots and the integration of school rugby, then just don’t get me started.
Nicko
Guest
The Brutal Truth, hard as it seems, someone has to take the bull by the horns. I’m not saying that’s me but any stretch, but someone needs to…. The Roarers make some valid points, and it’s great to see and read the passion for the game. If only the ARU and the players did the same. Man of Leisure – you mentioned the short term vs the long term. How long do you need to proof it isn’t working? Jeff D - Be assured the old Bums on seat line was referring of course to the viewing public, including the couch potatoes as well as those who find it better at the ground. Comments regarding the Storm between LM and Craigo, I hope you boys enjoyed your debate. You’re not brothers are you? My article was based on the premise of my personal opinion back when both the Force and the Rebels were introduced to Super Rugby. I thought that the Force would struggle, and they have, and then the Rebels would also struggle, albeit they have done better IMO, it was and still is obviously to all who are not naval gazing, that Australia simply cannot compete with 5 teams in Super Rugby. To withdraw from the Super Rugby Competition completely and play an internal competition, will only further reduce the quality here in AUS. Be honest and real, the quality players will leave and we will be left with a trumped-up NRC competition with no real backbone, or quality. Don’t get me wrong, the ARU needs the NRC to bring players through, but these blokes who think that a domestic competition is the way to go before going on to the Wallabies are kidding themselves. The weakness will be shown out like the proverbial under carriage of a dog. They need to keep up with the game and play against the best on offer. Super Rugby in what ever form, will keep them current. To fill the teams with foreign based players is probably untenable financially, and goes completely against the hopes of local players coming through – FROM THE GRASS ROOTS – to gain the right to play. The comment for the Brumbies being one of the two teams to go, I don’t think it really matters, although the fans in the capital I think have a bit more right to see their team play because of the positive argument of loyalty over 20+ years of the super rugby competition, versus a city full of a wide variety of sports As to the competency of the ARU, I think we all know the answer to one. Players going overseas, let them go, they are obviously in it for the money, not the pride in the jersey, or their country. The recent Giteau law took care of the pride in the country players going overseas and allowed the players free right to charge oversees. I know the arguments for both. I did refer to players with were over the hill. Let’s just say of the returning Australian former/current internationals at the Reds, George Smith is by far the only one who has earned his keep. QC is a joke – still, Moore is less, and Higginbotham is great one minute and terrible the next. I reference the ARU taking control, this is more than a double-edged sword, they need to take control in many areas. It seems they have a carte’ blanche attitude to the “Old Boys Club” who will see them through. Coaching – are we too insecure to admit that perhaps the coaching ranks are very bear, and those who showed the promise were very quickly shunted in, and shunted out. McKenzie for example. Yes along with the issues I pointed out, there are more, and downsizing the super rugby involvement is just one of them The arguments for the state of NZ Rugby (or any other country) are irrelevant, we are not talking NZ Rugby here, and as it stands in NZ, while the results at the younger age groups looks impressive, and they are not competing against 3-4 other codes etc, they have their own issues to sort, but they are facing up to them and sorting them. Something I think it is fair to say the ARU aren’t doing. I understand the travel thing. So, remove SA if that is you worry. I think you will be short on money thou to continue that way. The TV revenue they lose, will probably be a blessing in disguise. Sure, they will receive less, but then there are less players to pay. However, the better quality of play and the better the results, will bring back the crowds, both in the stands and on the couch. Winners are Grinners. And I don’t see too many smiles at the moment. And lastly Iain Barclay, the Author of this crap is a Crusaders / All Black fans since I was in nappies, still eat fish and chips at Six o’clock on a Friday night. I have no alliance to any AU super rugby team, nor the Wallabies. However I have a strong passion for the game, and find it unbelievable that the country who has 2 WRC, 2 x runners up at WRC, 3 x winner of the Tri-Nations, and winner of the Rugby Championship in 2015 can be in such a disarray. This is not a dig at AU rugby, but hand on heart “get your stuff together Australia and be competitive” so the game can advance not just in Australia, but worldwide. A lot of the world are over taking AU, and nobody is taking responsibility for it here. Australia are an important part of the growth of this great game. I’m pleased we have a passionate fans base here at The Roar, pity about those who run the game
AndyS
Guest
So just Soccer then, as both Hurling and Gaelic Football are both still amateur sports and aren't competing for players....
Katipo
Guest
Re video. It's because someone at the roar read that video consumption is the fastest growing thing online, so they think they need more of it. But the reality is most online video watching is? Porn!
Katipo
Guest
@Chris good point about Ireland having competing codes. I have to say, one of the major problems with rugby union in Australia, that no one talks about, is the culture of complaining and negativity. It's just not fun anymore. It hasn't been for ten years or more... And on top of that the Super tournament does not engage Australians in the some way that AFL and NRL. Super franchises seem inauthentic and too far removed from rugby's traditions and values. In contrast, Irish rugby has passion, authenticity and engagement. People buy in to that.
Chris
Guest
A merger yes but with codes as a united Rugby front might be tricky at first but it would work for the future.
Chris
Guest
Rugby Union in Ireland is doing pretty well and they have 3 other codes to compete with being GAA Football and hurling alongside Soccer and have a population just a bit bigger then New Zealand.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Katpo, I don't think regular Rugby fans give 2 hoots about the conference system. Maybe a few Aucklanders are justified in a rant or 2 at the end of the season. It is only us purists that understand how unfair it is on the bottom 2 teams. I don't think it makes a lick of difference, the top 2 teams tend to play out the finals anyway. I do like the Idea of localizing the comp. Even Fox sports have recognized the Local Derbies, and that is why most teams play home and away games against each other. Domestic, Free to air, with the spoils of a road trip against SA and NZ to the victors sounds good. I like my RC and 2 games is a good number. I have no problem with the 3rd Bledesloe. It would be nice to win one of the first 2 to make it exciting but I am not holding my breath.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
A merger makes the most sense. Crowd numbers aren't high enough to hide behind the "Supporters will leave" argument. Perhaps there would be more at the games if they weren't as often. - Better Yeld. I am a fan of a Force-Rebels Alliance partially for the star wars reference, and other than the geographical problems there would be a great synergy creating a "Regional" team. I am not against a Southern Brumbies outcome either. It feels like the answer is staring us in our faces and it is being ignored. It is an easy sell if you start with: Your team has been cut, how would you like it if we adopt your players and come to visit often. Anyone that would prefer no team over 1/2 a team isn't a true rugby fan.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I was trying to read your post and it kept jumping up and down my screen. Ironic?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The health of Kiwi rugby is a false equivalency, and bleating is appropriate. They don't have the market competition from NRL and AFL that Australia do. Soccer and Rugby can co-exist with many fans loving both and one code isn't snaking players from the other. NRL is more than a close cousin, it is a half brother born from relations with the mailman. Each time I see Jonathan Thurston pot yet another conversion over from the touch line I am reminded where most of Australia's play makers are. I do concede, as a fellow Roarer pointed out, that the crowds at NZ schoolboy games stand shoulder to shoulder with NRL talent scouts with deep pockets.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
A great question and I am not arguing that the wealth shouldn't be spread around, If it wasn't, Newman and Parabadoo would have some pretty good looking sports stadiums and the best roads in the country (They are already pretty good). I am asserting that both WA mining and ARU bounty should be spread about as well. PS, A lot of the engineering and plant control work is done from tall buildings on George street and most of the FIFO employees are based in Perth and surrounds. There is a case for some of the tax windfall to end up there. Mining taxes ending up on the northern beaches of Sydney is a much harder sell.
Chopper
Roar Rookie
I can see valid commercial reasons why you would keep the Rebels and the Force in two major cities. However for the life of me I cannot understand why we need a team in Canberra.
robel
Roar Pro
I'm in one of your alleged AFL states and do care. There are enough who care to raise $8+ million in WA, they all care. It's people in the supposed heartland states who evidently don't care about rugby.
jeff dustby
Guest
one of the worst arguments ever. people will never care in the AFL states.
jeff dustby
Guest
how is someone in perth more entitled to whats buried in the pilbara?
jeff dustby
Guest
doesnt seem to bother surfers or tennis players. they make one trip a year to SA
Katipo
Guest
I disagree. The conference system is the elephant in the room. The tough decision that the ARU must make are - 1) withdraw from Super Rugby's costly and complicated conference structure 2) invest in a proper Australian National Rugby Championship, with domestic finals series, that deliver an Australian champion every year, like AFL, NRL and A-league do. 3) Stop playing 3 Bledisloe Cup games every season. One winner takes all Bledisloe is enough. (The Rugby Championship games should no longer double up as Bledisloe Cup. Make TRC stand on its own merits and reduce the chance of Bledisloe dead rubbers) 4) invest every dollar they can find in grassroots rugby clubs and schools.
pillga
Guest
well with that argument the Waratahs should go as they have been the biggest under performers and poorly managed franchise since the inception of super rugby
Thaikiwi
Roar Rookie
So you want a competitive team in the super comp to draw back the crowds, so why stop at dumping two, why not dump three, or here's an idea go down to one, then it just may win a few games.
sheek
Roar Guru
Geoff, Here's a slightly different question, even before we discuss money. Would you, as a professional player, prefer the farthest you have to travel is Paris to Toulon, or London to Manchester? Or even Dublin to Rome? Or do you really enjoy travelling from Sydney to Johannesburg or Perth to Buenos Aires, or Melbourne to Tokyo, or Brisbane to Dunedin? Every single bloody year! If I were a professional player, I know which comps I would prefer to play in, & they're not in the southern hemisphere. I would much prefer spending my spare time in quaint restaurants that an airplane seat. Even before I thought about the money. Geographically, super rugby sucks. And until air travel can get you from say Sydney to Jo'burg in a couple of hours, super rugby is a doomed comp.