There is really little difference in the performances and results of the two national men’s sides and where they sit in the world rankings.
Both are trying to convince a doubtful public by looking back to the last World Cups (ODI in cricket) for support, but realistically they both are at place six or seven in the world – and deserve that ranking.
While cricket has gone some way – maybe a long way – to attempt to address the situation rugby has simply pulled the covers over their collective heads.
I would rather focus on rugby.
After watching much of what happened on the weekend in Europe, we are without doubt the worst of the four main southern hemisphere nations, we have no attack at all, no structure and lack skill.
I read Spiro’s article and like always many of us look back too far in time, pining for the past. In my opinion this is not helpful, in the short to medium term nothing will change for the better on the pitch.
To explain why I say this, let’s go through the whole sport in a way. So I will set out who has to take ownership of this mess. Actually, we all have to.
Yes the media, the fans on platforms like this, management, including administration and coaches and, of course, the players.
So let’s start. For many of us who have followed the factory of rugby and not just SR or the Wallabies like many who write here or are paid within the media it is no surprise that Super Rugby and the Wallabies are where they are and deserve to be.
The school competitions are mainly meaningless in the context of higher levels of the sport. So are the next level comps and this is why we have finished mainly sixth or seventh in the U20’s world cup for the last seven years.
Little wonder we are where we are. This means the players don’t have to fight for positions week after week and coaches are in the same boat.
Israel Folau is tackled (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Unfortunately, many fans and media are either unwilling to accept that many of our players, while no doubting their commitment are just ordinary.
They are unwilling to accept it due to only two reasons, either they don’t understand the game or they look at it through rose coloured glasses and are therefore deluding themselves.
The sport since around 2000 has had a conga line of either inept or well-meaning but not up to it administrators. The last two CEOs and Chairs are arguably the worst of all, one a captain’s pick the other when no-one wanted the job.
The chairs while their respective CVs in business look impressive a more forensic look would uncover a less flattering profile.
The players try hard but are not up to it. They are becoming derided within the community which is creating a siege mentality within the group but this is not working either mainly because they lack the skill sets of their opponents.
The coach has gone through the following blame game, refs, the media, some players by dropping them, back to the refs and then the media again. Soon no-one will listen or care.
Once no-one listens or cares then money will dry up and guess what players, coaches and admin you all won’t be getting the money you get now.
MaxW
Guest
The similarities with both Australian teams is that they (a) think they're a lot better than what they are and (b) they don't want to accept when they're not quite up to speed & therefore don't always foresee the change they need; Their determination to adhere to sporting excellence sometimes gives way to stubborness and dismissiveness. I say that with the greatest respect, because they are one of the best sporting nations in the World. But sometimes to be the best in sport, you need to have an underdog mentality and be honest about where you are and what needs to change.
Ian Brown
Roar Pro
Regarding your reading matter, it is of course no coincidence that Rugby is played at military colleges around the world. It is a game of strategy and attrition. I am convinced that our current leader is a motivator and not a coach, he and is team of advisors are truly giving the backline no hope by week in and week out shuffling them around and even during the game they pop up in many different positions, only the half knows his role.
sheek
Guest
Ian Brown, A good article that deserved more responses. Historically, Roarers aren't interested in tackling the tough issues. They just like to have their quick say, & begone. They say reading books is a huge way to develop your knowledge. In recent times I've read a massive book on WW1, which I'm still wading through. I'm presently reading an epic on Vietnam which is mind boggling. In both books, the politicians & the generals come out very poorly, very poorly indeed. On all sides. Integrity, honesty, ethics, character, are all in short supply the higher up the chain you go, it seems. There is a lot of collective confirmation bias in their decisions all over the place. People go along with bad decisions either because they're coerced, they want to be seen as team players, they're frightened to speak out, they are basically weak people, or they are just ignorant in their supreme arrogance. Even people in high places have no idea while pretending they do. Or they simply don't care anyway. In Australian rugby, we have people who are making wrong decisions, going down the wrong path, but nevertheless think they're geniuses. It'll be a long time before we right the wrongs of the past decade, if perhaps ever. There's a precedent, & it's not pretty. NSW & Qld first played each other way back in 1882. But the first meaningful national comp of any kind didn't happen until ACT joined super rugby as the 3rd Aussie province in 1996. Victoria emerged as the 3rd province way back in the 1930s before WW2 scuppered their progress. Anyway, short answer to long story is that more than 130 years later, Australian rugby is paying he price for failing to develop the game outside of NSW & Queensland.
Toby Shaw
Guest
Let’s not waste our valuable time by spending weeks of hypnotic navel gazing about a first world issue of sporting teams going through a losing streak. Time to grow up people and spend our time doing something worthwhile like banding together to force governments to properly fund fair dinkum health and nutrition programs for all our underprivileged indigenous children.
Ian Brown
Roar Pro
Surely that's it what I am trying to say, you didn't read further. Hello we scored 6 points no tries and through the RC we don't score points and therefore we have lost a lot of tests recently. "Attack" means in itself execution not just creating opportunities and as I have said this team for better or worse doesn't have the skill set to execute and deliver. Sometimes people should look past and understand just that. I am not having a go at them for their inability and please don't get me wrong the cupboard is bear mother hubbard, there is no-one there, what I am looking at is why there is no-one there.
In Brief
Guest
Didn't read past 'we have no attack at all'. I saw a team braking the line at will, but then failing to capitalise. I think the attack is fine, it is the rugby smarts and basic errors which keep letting this team down.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Posting from South Africa , I have made similar comparisons between our rugby and cricket sides . Rugby is by far the biggest sport between the two yet over the last 5 years or so has seriously underperformed . Cricket has in the same time frame punches way above its international weight . The reasons are clear to me . Cricket is a fantastically administered sport here with good well developed structures and pathways for talent to thrive . SA Rugby just the opposite and I am afraid it shows on the field . I feel that Aussie cricket just needs to get its house in order administratively which by all accounts has been recognized and is being dealt with . Just a matter of time. Rugby however being a relative minority sport in Australia has to have the very best leadership possible to maximize its resources . Not sure this is the case .
Ex force fan
Guest
"The last two CEOs and Chairs are arguably the worst of all, one a captain’s pick the other when no-one wanted the job" Spot on - if your leadership are third class you cannot expect the players to be first class. The Force fiasco is one of many obvious blunders in recent years, the 5 year contract to Hooper, appointing a failed coach to coach your coaches, paying players far more than they are worth, scheduling games in areas that struggle to attract crowds while ignoring areas where the stadium sold out in 3 days etc. Cricket are addressing their leadership issues, while rugby's Clyne and kie still are not aware that they are part of the problem and not part of the solution. Something good may however still come out of all this, at least for rugby in WA and maybe Australia, in spite of the misadministration.