As a developmental paediatric doctor, I am frequently faced with children on stimulant medication struggling with their sleep.
There are limited safe sedative medication options, so we always value non-pharmacological alternatives. One option has become increasingly effective for insomniacs. I ask them to watch a game of rugby union.
Rugby needs a mindset shift. Stop striving for elite professionalism. Accept that the game’s survival relies upon the fans. It must be packaged as a form of entertainment and compete in that space to attract casual sports fans.
I have watched the rugby match-day experience slide from the halcyon days of 108,000 people at Olympic Stadium to the current meek offerings. Here’s how to turn it around:
(Matt King/Getty Images)
Media
Improve the access to players. Have cameras in the change room like the NRL or have post-game access to player interviews for TV hosts. I want to see the emotion from the coaches and players.
Cricket were pioneers in introducing technology to enhance the coverage – think Snicko, hot spot, ball tracker. Why not introduce a low-budget version, like having the player’s heart rate on screen? You could tell when they are nervous before a matchwinning conversion or whether they are working hard.
Rugby suffers from significant pauses in play with scrum resets and injuries. To combat this, have live tweets displayed on the bottom of the TV screen for commentators to engage with rather than simply padding.
Have cameras in multiple pubs across Australia broadcasting the rugby. When the Wallabies score a try the broadcaster can show the best reactions.
I’m so disappointed by Fox Sports’s lack of promotion and the cutting of their rugby media. Whoever broadcasts the game has an obligation to promote the product. Whoever Rugby Australia sells this package to, it must choose a network that will act in the code’s best interest rather than the highest bidder.
Get fans excited for the game. An example of an effective rugby promotion was the NRC ‘You don’t know me… yet’ campaign. I am optimistic with the recent Wallabies: Endgame trailer on YouTube that they are making steps in the right direction.
Rugby Australia
I want to be able to order a beer from my seat and not spend 15 minutes lining up and missing the action. In the USA they have staff carrying kegs on their back wandering through the crowd to sell beer. Let’s have event organisers and Rugby Australia troubleshoot this.
We must improve the match-day entertainment. Long gone is John Williamson singing on the sideline. There’s no pre-game or halftime entertainment.
It doesn’t have to big budget either. Options include:
- interactive fan games featuring classic Wallabies, such as catching a high ball;
- interviewing the crowd;
- the NBA’s kiss cam; and
- bands.
During cricket game sin New Zealand they distribute a certain amount of bright orange sponsor T-shirts pre-game and if you catch a six, you receive a cash prize. Why not adapt this to rugby whereby if one catches a penalty or conversion kick and you’re wearing a T-shirt, you could win prize money?
They could have marquees around the stadium with classic Wallabies signing autographs or doing interviews. There should be games for kids, such as passing the rugby ball through a hole with small prizes. There should be video screens playing highlights of classic matches – foe example, George Gregan’s tackle or John Eales’s penalty.
Make ticket prices affordable, not offensive. When I was at school junior rugby players received subsidised tickets. Bring that back. It’s embarrassing seeing rugby struggle to reach its COVID-19 restricted maximum capacity.
I like rugby having marquee games like State of Origin. They could consider Matt To’omua’s Pasifika vs non-Pasifika game. I like themed rounds, like the Indigenous round. Hold a retro round during which all teams play in their state’s first kit. Perhaps one weekend all players can wear their club socks.
In the same way that the Sydney cricket Test reserves the third day for the McGrath Foundation, why don’t we attach one Super Rugby or Rugby Championship round to a charity?
Wallabies should play in Wallabies gold, not bright yellow or army green. Wallabies gold only. Fans don’t want to pay $170 for guernsey they’ll wear once a year to the match. Make them from cheaper fabric at affordable prices. I want to see a sea of Wallabies gold at matches with fans proud to wear it.
The All Blacks have the haka. The intimidatory Maori ceremonial dance is a respected tradition and adds to the theatre of the match-day experience. It’s an alluring spectacle that attracts the casual fan. I’d like to see a similar opportunity for Indigenous involvement as part of the Wallabies match build-up.
Adjuncts
Although the following ideas aren’t directly related to the match-day experience, I hope they would yield indirect benefits through increased participation and revenue. I really just wanted to say them.
Rugby should consider implementing a combine or draft-style system. You could structure it like the NBA. It would nicely complement Rugby Australia’s proposed television of schoolboy rugby. You could have a week-long camp testing sports biometrics.
It would generate community interest in the game at a grassroots level. It would also provide another broadcast opportunity for a mendicant union. Parochial protectionist unions will argue this disincentivises local academies, but you can weight the draft picks to favour local products.
Rugby Australia, coaches and the players association should strike the balance between performance and community engagement. I don’t believe players need to train five days a week. Sacrificing a training day to do a community coaching clinic would freshen them up.
Every passionate rugby fan has a treasured childhood memory of meeting a famous rugby player. Improving that connection with the community will get people choosing to spend the weekends at the rugby and improve crowd numbers.
Following the overhaul of the coaching set-up and the outgoing rugby administration we have been gifted an opportunity to start afresh. Let’s not waste this crisis.
Moogstar
Guest
It’s not about red tape or bureaucrats really. Just people put in jobs based on who not what they know.
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
I'd like to see a return to curtainraisers -- have a Shute Shield game or a schools game or Women's game played before. You might get some fans who come for those games and the paying fan gets more rugby for their money. The double header RC games are a good start but even they would be better off with a curtainrasier.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
There are changes ahead. The League is tossing around removing the Lock from the game to open up the continuity more. So they will have 12 instead of 13. Will save money on the cap too. SA have gone and that is a good move for Australia. The timezone did not work and Aussies will never be interested in those games. So we are in a time of change. Australian Rugby can innovate and still be rugby.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Thanks BB. I think we both want the same thing and that is for more people to be exposed to and enjoy our game. Changes were made in Britian and ended with the game becoming soccer ( Rugby's first Laws written in 1845 and Soccer in 1863). Australia has had changes to our game occur, the Australian Rules as accepted by Melbournians and the changes brought about in Sydney in 1908. There are changes that have, can and should be made but I hope that viewers in 50 years time will be watching a game that is more than just recognisable to today's game. It's a fine balance. I've read below that you have tried to have points of view recognised by the ARU and I applaud you efforts. A friend of mine has made the same effort. He was advised to take multiple ideas and was able to get the one idea that he really wanted considered pushed through. It went on to IRB/WR and is now part of the game. (As I recall it was a player safety aspect). It can be done. Best wishes for your future efforts.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Craig MeDermott … I and others have been submitting potential rule changes over the last 8 years, on this site and others, to no effect. I even physically attended the ARU some years ago to put forward my ideas. If there was a RA Forum or Working Party that was taking it seriously, where we could constructively put our ideas forward and/or modify them after discussion, I would gladly contribute. It is Doable … There will be a good number to start with. Thereafter adjustment and Evolution of some more rule changes. The Goal is to have the End of the game to be as close as possible to 80 minutes from the Start of the game. With as much time as possible with the ball in hand and moving. The spectators want continuity and ball movement.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Corne, we cant get the revenue now. It has been getting worse and worse and maybe you are suffering from the same issues if it is not financially viable in SA. So there is no choice but to change the rules to appeal to the crowd. Every other professional sport does... why is Rugby immune. "how do you propose your players play under one set of laws and then have to play a different set of laws when playing international rugby" OK.. do you think encouraging Tries by reducing the points for penalties and Field goals will adversely affect us internationally ie strengthening our ability to cross the line vs the likelihood that we will kick less goals. Anyway.. we have no choice.. we don't appeal to enough spectators at home or to attend the ground to be viable.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Busted Fullback, Look I agree.. it boosted their game dramatically.. but they have now discovered at too great a price. but there were many others. Like one Forward Pass per play that bought the crowds in. They were prepared to innovate. We have no choice.. our players aren’t dying but our professional game is, in Australia.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Aus wants to be part of the best domestic comp in the world...' Which 'domestic' comp is this, Jacko?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Dustin Martin is born and bred here (like your son apparently) with an aussie mum. His dad never got aussie citizenship (and wouldn't stand a chance of getting it either!).
Micko
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Jacko. The first thing I said when they started the Force & Rebels was they should fill it up with plenty of foreigners otherwise they'll be no good. Bring the Argentinians here rather than the dopey plan to set up a franchise there, and extend the already huge travel burden for everyone.
Micko check out Google....Ask "am I a NZer" Its very clear....Dont believe me tho Please....And then ask Dustin too...
Micko you asked me what the Kiwi car racers would do if they didnt have Aus. Well The simple fact so many are doing so well OS and not Aus shows that Aus aint the be all and end all. But I guess SM only got his job at DJR because he bribed someone??? Or could it be that teams chase talent and dont care where it comes from like you do. As for the rugby well your own team has the same rules of residency that NZ has baring a 60 test rule so talk to RA then get back to me. England, France, Wales Ireland etc all have the same rules
Micko
Roar Rookie
He's an aussie Jacko...nice try though! :laughing: His father came from NZ in his teens. Apparently his father claims to be able to prove aboriginal heritage, thus potentially overturning his deportation. His dad has a long criminal record, but was a member, and still fraternises with, bikie gangs and their members. The feds told him to get a new circle of friends, but he didn't listen. You actually don't need to commit a crime to be deported from a country though.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Sure Jacko. But that means other people aren't as petulant as you lot and are willing to hire outsiders. You freak out about a pro comp where the top kiwi rugby union players might be based in Australia. In no other sport do you lot act like it's a bad thing for Australian teams/franchises to hire kiwis...in fact you were just boasting about aussie based kiwis doing well in the supercars! :silly:
His dad was sent back to NZ because he had coffee with some Bikies!!! Never ever convicted of any crime and I dont think he was even charged with any crimes.....But off he goes.....Extradited...Hes a little known Richmond player called Dustin Martin :thumbup:
LOL...Earl Bamber, Liam Lawson, Mitch Evans, Scott Dixon, brendon Hartley, and there is plenty more doing well outside of Aus Micko :thumbup:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Absolutely Jacko! Too many parasites in an unnecessarily large administration for a relatively minor sport. Also putting in these white elephant franchises and comps like the Rebels and the NRC certainly doesn’t help! They’re better off with talent/recruitment officers who can spot talent and then pay for scholarships to get these kids to Sydney, Brisbane or Canberra where they can be part of the culture and learn. Top-down plastic comps and franchises are too expensive for not really any significant reward.
Mismanagement is a real big issue in Aus. The 2003 Wc gave them a major shot in the arm yet they wasted it with incompetence.....Sad
Micko
Roar Rookie
The point Jacko is NZ tribalism can’t maintain a lucrative pro league. The NZ SR teams were essentially new entities. For example, Port Adelaide entered the AFL in 1997…but is a club that was originally formed in 1870! They have such a huge passionate fan base that they could make the step up. It looks like that the new Brisbane NRL team could be an already existing club like Redcliffe, who have significant support from what I heard.
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
I love the idea of Sunday arvo footy at Ballymore. The NRL will be finished by Oct 25 although there will be SOO after that.