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Opinion

How rugby can make ground on self-imploding NRL and AFL

Roar Rookie
17th April, 2020
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Roar Rookie
17th April, 2020
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As the coronavirus continues to stop all rugby union in its tracks, there have been some interesting responses to the new challenges.

Financial pressures have seen attacks on the top-level management of the game. It appears there has been some progress in a bridging loan from World Rugby to ease the pain.

I find it puzzling, however, why the top brass should be responsible for the average performance of players at the club and international level.

It is not the CEO’s fault a player missed a tackle or an easy kick. There have been some performances that would have any coach tearing their hair out.

Following on from that, a coup for the top job by an ex-Wallabies great was only met with a lukewarm response. Other ex-players have put forward some positive ideas to get people talking. Tim Horan’s plan certainly had some merit to it.

Rory Arnold celebrates a try

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The appointment of a new Wallabies coach has certainly got tongues wagging. Michael Cheika – with a 34-win, 32-loss record, and a thumping at the hands of fellow Australian Eddie Jones – was never going to survive. Compared to Steve Hansen, for example, with a 93-win, ten-loss record, Cheika’s performance pales in comparison.

Matt Giteau’s feud with Robbie Deans provides an insight as to why things have been going wrong in the Wallabies’ culture. A hierarchy of senior players on their own agendas and a confusing selection policy spelt trouble at the international level.

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On a positive note, now is the time for rugby union to make some ground against the NRL and AFL, who seem to be self-imploding in front of the world.

Players having brain explosions, demanding financial disclosure, and squabbling with senior journalists over pay and the like makes for grim viewing.

Rugby union has to invest heavily in its future, junior rugby union, performance academies and coaches. Wallabies of the future are made at club and school level all over Australia.

Let’s have the return of Bledisloe Cup cliffhangers and strong performances on and off the field.

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