I love weekends, they give us time to ponder things.
This Sunday was no different, as I was struck by a strange thought as I realised I had missed all the rugby this weekend.
How odd, I thought, I love rugby… Upon examination there were several likely culprits, a wedding to attend, the other small sporting event taking place right now (that France Argentina game was amazing by the by) and of course the general malaise that afflicts us all from time to time where for some reason we decide to not watch TV for a day or two.
Super Rugby (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
However, for all these reasonable preclusions, I am forced to admit that the real reason I didn’t watch is probably that I have become that loathsome creature known only as the casual fan.
Wow, that hurt to write. My understanding of these things is that the first step to recovery begins with realising that you have a problem. So at least I have that going for me, which is nice.
But at least it offers a certain freeing of the mind, so I intend to use this hopefully short time of deviance from the one true path that is forever rugby, to look with new eyes and see rugby, the game they play in heaven, the good and the bad, for what it is.
So taking a look at the game I now casually support I can determine a couple of things.
Firstly, assuming that The Roar is indeed the premier sporting website I can see that people are firmly in FIFA World Cup mode.
And rightly so, the biggest sporting event on the planet is bound to dominate the columns for at least the next two weeks. As it gears up into the knockout stages and things get even more, hehe, fever pitch, this will only continue.
As a long time fan of the beautiful game and festivals in general, I love it! It’s great. This is not a slight on rugby in any way shape or form, it is an external influence on the game, but in all honesty, it is part of the reason I didn’t watch the rugby.
Make of that what you will, but the excitement coming from the end of a cracking international series against Ireland, combined with increasing excitement for the knockout stages of the World Cup, the inevitable come down to Super Rugby just didn’t do it for me, so as to speak.
Socceroos Mile Jedinak and Mark Milligan. (SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Perhaps if I had seen any sort of hype for any of the games it might have been different.
Secondly, the Optus debacle and the subsequent SBS pick up has confirmed my long held suspicion that rugby is shooting itself in the foot with its distribution model.
With the Premier League being on Optus, the rugby being on Foxtel, the cricket on Seven, I feel forced into making these shitty decisions regarding watching sport.
Looking at the above three as examples (and there are many, many more variables to complicate things) you have a reasonably priced Optus package, being delivered on not reliable internet infrastructure (the lagging at times is infuriating).
An expensive Foxtel is delivered nearly always on time. Then there’s Seven – a free, but with constant gambling advertisements, service that has the highest fidelity regarding transmission.
All up, the current sporting platform wars are just too much for me to commit to being anything more than a casual fan.
Maybe that sounds a weak or lazy excuse but if I’m noticing this, and I was a rusted on Reds member from the bad old days with 92-3 shellacking at Loftus which I watched, even after knowing the score beforehand. Maybe it’s time for this to be addressed…
And finally, other people. Aren’t they just the worst? People organising events like weddings and parties and whatnot, while there is rugby to be watched are just plain selfish, I mean, what about me?
So my first observations are about not even watching the game, so this probably isn’t going all that well. It seems like this will be a multi part expose, but those are some of the initial stumbling blocks I have so far encountered.
I have come here looking to regain my fandom, help me Roar readers, you’re my only hope.
concerned supporter
Guest
''What adequately qualified sports administrator should we have instead of Andrew Hore? '' If I knew that, I would be a leading Personnel Consultant. But I guess you remember this before Karmichael Hunt & James Slipper were busted. '' Page 74 of today’s Daily/Sunday Telegraph- “RUGBY MAKES YOU A BETTER PERSON : HORE.” Extracts, “As rugby league reels from its cocaine crisis,Waratahs boss Andrew Hore has made a bold stand for struggling rugby union by declaring the 15 – man game creates wait for it BETTER PEOPLE !!!!! ‘ He sprouts holier than thou rugby facts including “higher probability of acheiving being GOOD PEOPLE through rugby. Rugby does not need this elitism . Hore should visit pubs in the Eastern Suburbs where it is common for people in the toilets to snort lines of coke.It would also happen on the North Shore, perhaps even in Mosman,''
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Does she have any rugby or sports experience though? Because the name reported that were nominated have that, as well as business experience.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Roger Davis is Chairman, basically a ceremonial position. Andrew Hore, I'd imagine due to years of reasonable success in sports admin positions. What adequately qualified sports administrator should we have instead of Andrew Hore?
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, You are back, a question for you, Why do we have Roger Davis, Andrew Hore,{supposed heavies} in charge in NSW? To me, they are both a hindrance to Rugby in NSW, a couple of drones. We need people who have influence, persuasion powers, who really care for the sport of Rugby, not just only the Waratahs & Sydney Uni.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nothing is stopping any of that. Except people willing to do it. Why would UWS do this for example? Like literally, how do you get them to? It's easy to say somebody else should sort it out like concerned supporter is saying. Harder to actually get something for nothing.
Ex force fan
Guest
WA Rugby put Diane Smith-Gander forward to the nomination committee. She is one of our top Australia female directors, but she was not even considered by the brown-nose Clyne-o-philes. https://cew.org.au/members/diane-smith-gander/
Uncle Eric
Guest
Not sure what you mean by the 'elitist' comment PIAC. Perhaps you could enlighten us. But if you are commenting on Damian Martin's piece I believe you've missed the point entirely.
CJ
Guest
Actually I think there is a broader benefit to be derived by Sydney Uni offering rugby scholarships as it gives Rugby a competitive edge over other sports as far as recruitment goes. But, agreed, don't think it would hurt if similar pathways could be developed for UWS or such like in conjunction with other clubs in that area. Maybe get some rich rugby loving philanthropists to help out here?
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, 'What Uni is near Nepean Park? Why would they have any interest in teaming up?'' I know you live in Melbourne, but please do some research, even if it is minimal. Google, University of Western Sydney, Werrington Campus, 10 minutes drive from Nepean Rugby Park. Your idols from FOSUFC don't give a stuff about Penrith Emus. TWAS, you also say, ''What about the other clubs that pay players. That’s ok though? '' Please enlighten us about which SS clubs pay players? All SS clubs are eating the paint off the walls, and are surviving by players subscriptions and the like, TWAS, the SS clubs have no eff--g money. [
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, Don't you realise that some people prefer power to money?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How is an AFL club any comparison to a Shute Shield Club. You're comparing apples and oranges. What has the AFL put into new NEAFL clubs? Penrith have been around for about 20 years and in the past did receive funding. So they should stop Sydney Uni offering scholarships? And then somehow produce their own magically? What about the other clubs that pay players. That's ok though? What Uni is near Nepean Park? Why would they have any interest in teaming up? Sydney Uni essentially were developed from the scrap heap to. Why do they get no credit for going from nothing to a powerhouse?
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, '' ýou said the powers are giving concessions to Sydney Uni.'' Not giving concessions to Syd Uni, but allowing concessions and not endeavouring to organize desperately needed concessions for strugglers like Penrith Emus & Parramatta Two Blues. Look at the newly established AFL Club at Blacktown, GWS, in 2017 GWS received a grant of AUD21 Million from the AFL, without that money & draft concessions GWS would cease to exist. Footnote, TWAS, Penrith & Parramatta received AUD NIL from either RA or NSWRU.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So their goal is to win the club championship, which continually shrinks in importance due to changes in the overall structure of the game? All at the expense of the actual Shute Shield? It's hardly a revelation that the broadcaster are a major power broker. NRL is the same only it's Murdoch and Channel 9. You ignore that Murdoch are a minor part of the overall broadcast puzzle also. You just determine the conclusion you want without any actual analysis.
piru
Roar Rookie
Can't tell you the number of times I've seen signs to a 'games room' in an eastern pub and been disappointed not to find Galaga and Street Fighter, but video poker and sad nanas
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, '' The game if anything over the last decade has moved away from Sydney Uni being a major player.'' Didn't you understand or absorb what I said, ''PS, 1/from Syd Uni’s website, Syd, Uni. has won the club championship for the last 14 years straight !!!!!!! '' And TWAS, guess what club is currently leading the 2018 Club Championship? Here is the link, ''http://nswpremresults.fusesport.com/summaryladder.asp?seasonid=522 '' The true power brokers of Rugby in Australia are a combination of 1/Murdoch Who doles out the Broadcasting Revenue- AUD 57 Million pa, & 2/FOSUFC, mainly Cameron Clyne & Roger Davis. What has the great John Eales achieved for Rugby in Australia over the last few years? I will tell you TWAS, Sweet FA.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yes it was sarcasm. It is not unique that the big end of town dominates the board. As I pointed out, the AFL board is exactly the same. These are businesses. Profit may not be their goal, but they are still trying to achieve outcomes.
concerned supporter
Guest
TWAS, ''Why do people like you and Piru have any case to be considered for the RA board? '' Even you must realise that this was only an illustration, it means any plebs, serfs or the like. Regular Joes you say, more like the Big End of Town Joes.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Then of course there's the biggest question of your Sydney Uni conspiracy... What's in it for them? The game if anything over the last decade has moved away from Sydney Uni being a major player. 5 years ago they were the primary source of talent. With the development of the NRC, which cut the Sydney Uni backed team before anybody else, and the greater development of U19 and U20 programs, Sydney Uni's influence has decreased dramatically. As has their on field performance. So what' their end game? Some giant conspiracy to end Western Sydney and Western Australia, for no benefit to themselves?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Except it's a flawed logic because "they" are different people in each case.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Why do people like you and Piru have any case to be considered for the RA board? I'm on the board of my club. I certainly am not arrogant enough to think that qualifies me to be on the RA board. Though I believe an Ex-Gordon Club President Hayden Rorke was nominated. I imagine because in addition to being involved in Rugby, his career at South Pacific Paper was also deemed suitable. How many regular joes on the NRL Commission or AFL Commission? For AFL the Chairman was previously Wesfarmers CEO. Andrew Newbold was previously the Hawthorn FC President. Robin Bishop is an executive in investment banking. Paul Basset is a director of Wesfarmers, was a lawyer and founded seek.com. Kim Williams is a media executive. Major General Simone Wilkie was a high ranking army member. Jason Ball is an ex player who was on the board at Sydney. Gabrielle Trainor has decades of executive experience. Just full of regular joes...