Finally a decision about Super Rugby has been made.
One thing that really strikes me about the reaction to cutting the Force is that it’s the wrong decision, but very little has been said about the right decision to keep the Rebels. There is sure to be further legal action, but I find it pretty unlikely that the decision will be changed, certainly before 2018.
But it’s time to put the whole sorry saga behind us and attempt to unify Australian rugby. Despite the negativity surrounding the game, there has to be something positive to look forward to, right?
For starters, the biggest match of the year is just one week away. The Lions showed that the All Blacks are in fact human, so an opportunity exists for the Wallabies to claim their first major scalp in some time. One can hope, anyway!
After the poor showing in the June series, the time is now for Michael Cheika to show his worth as a motivating coach and instil some belief in his charges. The game needs the boost of a respectable showing, so win, lose or draw, let’s hope the hard work we’ve been hearing about delivers some positives. And despite the Wallabies’ performances in the last two years, the international game in general is in great health.
The NRC gets underway in a few weeks, which, despite minimal traction within the rugby community and indeed beyond, is a great competition achieving its primary objective of providing opportunity in a high-performance environment.
According to Rugby Union Players Association, of the 53 players to debut at Australian Super Rugby clubs in 2017, over 70 per cent previously played in the NRC. Dave Wessels, Nick Stiles and Dan McKellar have all also been head coaches at NRC level prior to taking up Super Rugby head coaching roles.
Having watched a bit of the Shute Shield on 7Two, I feel like there has been a step up in quality recently, which can only be helped by the NRC. It would be great to get some NRC games on free-to-air like they have with club rugby.
I applaud the creation of a national coaching advisory panel, and let’s hope Rod Kafer can create a culture of high performance and inclusion among coaches nationwide. They must also ensure that Dave Wessels is put in charge of the Rebels immediately. He seems to be the best young coach in the country, so simply put he must take over at the Rebels.
Securing Mick Byrne’s services will also be a major long term boost to the professional game. It will take some years for the effects to show, but his appointment is a change for the better.
The clear out of the ARU executive also presents the chance for serious cultural change. Let’s hope they can appoint some independent, innovative sports administrators without ties to state-based factions.
There needs to be clear two, five and ten year plans to solidify and expand the game, with key issues including stopping the player drain to Europe and Japan, re-engaging disenfranchised fans, building the national profile of the game – including greater media coverage and more free-to-air games – and perhaps hosting the 2027 World Cup.
These are challenging times indeed for the game they play in heaven. As a rusted on fan, I need to think there will be some long term improvements – if nothing else, my own sanity depends on it!
Pete
Guest
Any stat's there mate? I think you will find we do OK, especially in comparison to the Brumbies.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Never huh sure, like the Yanks will never lose the America's Cup, the English will never win back the Ashes, Cronulla will never win a premiership, and you'll never get over Gregan. Well at least one of those statements is true I guess
Isupport2teamstheAB'sandanyoneplayingAustralia
Guest
It's just one example of Australian arrogance, you really want me to list all of them. But I especially like this one, as it's turned out. "Never ever again" hahAha
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
So in 2003 that wicked George Gregan said something so mean and nasty that you're still recovering from it. And that's the reason for the current Wallaby slump. I realise that fan can be short for fanatic, but maybe you could try to stop short of the kind of fanaticism where you lose the ability to think clearly.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Do any of those ladies have any rugby experience? Or are they just suits with a skirt? Their official bios on the ARU website don't say they have any rugby experience so if they have.
Isupport2teamstheAB'sandanyoneplayingAustralia
Guest
And I use Georgy Grogens infamous call to highlight that kind of arrogance that has led Wobbly rugby to where it is now... mmm so worth it ...
Isupport2teamstheAB'sandanyoneplayingAustralia
Guest
I like my astute observation better "Never ever again" just rolls off the tongue.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
FYI in Perth the Force and the Glory share headquarters, training facilities and stadia. They both train at UWA Sports Park, often on adjoining fields. The Wildcats and Perth Lynx (men's & women's pro basketball) also use the Force gym. We know that all sports are better working together.
Isupport2teamstheAB'sandanyoneplayingAustralia
Guest
why just like you say.., telling it how it is... Wobbly rugby is rubbish and it's own arrogance is to blame...
Tackles
Guest
Seems to me the Force need another competition to play in. What about Fiji, Tonga, Samoa , W Force forming an Indian and Pacific Ocean comp under the funding of Twiggy.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
No I'm pointing out that you're behaving like a dill. That's not playing the victim that's just pointing out that you're behaving like a dill. If you could see past the chip on your shoulder you might have worked that out yourself.
Gary Harvey
Guest
And the relevance of that to the popularity of rugby league in PNG is??I wasn't trying to claim that league is more popular than union, that would be as absurd as a comment that says league is only relevant in one country.
Matt
Guest
Twiggy has been a sponsor of the Force for years and one of the major contributors to the Future Force Foundation.
Matt
Guest
The Force's season ticket holder numbers were so high that they had to stay at Subiaco because NIB Stadium was too small. That it has shrunk by such an extent is an indictment on SANZAAR, the ARU and RugbyWA.
Ex force fan
Guest
If the Force survive this, it will be something special..the kind of story movies are made of. Remember the Titans?
Ex force fan
Guest
Without een-oog (one eye) the blind is leading the blind. It is an accurate description of the ERU, an organisation with no vision.
Uncle Eric
Guest
'No one cares'. By virtue of this comment Fatman you've negated your own argument, as you clearly care enough to say your piece, as trite and pointless as it is. My earnest plea to you is to go away and find some other outlet for your inane viewpoints.
Nicolai
Guest
Agree with BAZ and Perthstayer -- BUT DON'T AGREE with Jock. The reason that AUS rugby is in the current BAD state is that NRC started 30/50/100 years to late. Just have a look at NZ and South Africa as an example and see what NRC type competitions do for Rugby.
Nicolai
Guest
Crazy Horse - AGREE!!!
wyn
Guest
It amazes me that so many are claiming how good the Force have been this year. They lost 9 from 15 and maybe they were better than the Reds, Rebels and Tahs. There's a saying in Afrikaans "In die land van blindes, is eenoog koning!"