Every year when the summer draws to a close and we start preparing ourselves for the cooler months, one thing brings warmth to my heart – the promise of a new season of rugby to watch.
Last year we were nearly deprived of this rite of passage as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world, but from the ashes a new era of rugby was born in Australia.
The introduction and success of a domestic Super Rugby season, a new Wallabies coach, as well as massive administrative changes created some semblance of hope.
But if there is hope, there is also despair, which came in the form of the Wallabies winning only one of six games from a revamped Tri Nations.
This left us with questions: what will Super Rugby look like next year? How will moving on from Fox Sports work? Who will be the new CEO of Rugby Australia?
The off-season provided some answers but I would forgive you for missing them, as news coverage (as expected with such a public breakup between Fox Sports and Rugby AU) has been sparse.
I am here to fill you in on what you missed and get you back in the mood for the game they play in heaven. Therefore, this is the Spruce Moose – hop in!
We begin with the Super Rugby season.
Like last year, we will see a domestic Super Rugby AU season take place alongside New Zealand’s own season, with both opening in February (Super Rugby AU on 19 February and Aotearoa a week later, on 26 February). Unlike last year, however, there will a trans-Tasman competition with five rounds and a final, which will start on 14 May and run until 19 June.
For Super Rugby AU there are two objectives: grow on the solid base that was set last year in trying circumstances and prove to our trans-Tasman cousins that a combined competition can be both entertaining and competitive.
The ultimate goal for Australia will be to get a team into the final (which is a simple first versus second) out of the five rounds. If Australia really wants to put a stake in the ground and show their worth, as well as the competition format’s worth, the final needs to feature teams from both nations.
Some other call outs for the Super Rugby AU season is a celebration of First Nations people and culture in Round 4 and the Anzac Round on 23 and 24 April. Also, keep an eye out for what has been dubbed the ‘Super Round’, Round 3, of the trans-Tasman competition, when all games will be played at one venue.
It is also important for the newly formed partnership with Stan and Nine Entertainment Co that both the domestic and trans-Tasman competitions display an exciting and engaging brand of rugby.
(Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
More is to be revealed about the exact specifics of the look and feel of the sports extension to Stan but we now have the pricing, which is $10 on top of a regular Stan subscription. So Stan will be a minimum $20 a month with sports and a maximum $29 a month with a premium subscription.
What is disappointing is the general lack of promotion in Australian media. Given the breakup with News Corp and the general financial struggles, this isn’t wholly unexpected but in future more has to be done to promote the sport and create a sense of anticipation.
What I do find exciting, however, is a game a week on free-to-air TV in prime time. Sure, it is on GEM and not the primary channel but for those who have been crying out for greater free-to-air exposure, this is a big win.
Couple this with a nearly all-new coverage team made up of Roz Kelly and Nick McArdle as the lead presenters, with Tim Horan, Morgan Turinui, Drew Mitchell, Justin Harrison, Andrew Mehrtens, Allana Ferguson and Sean Maloney, as well as Andrew Swain as the commentary leads, and there is a fresh feel.
The change in team is the correct move here and although the previous hosts and commentators such as Greg Clark, Greg Martin, Rod Kafer and Phil Kearns deserve thanks for their years of service, it was time for a change.
Phil Kearns. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The biggest challenge for this new team is to effectively communicate the game to the audience and not assume that everyone has played or even seen rugby union before.
Rugby presents a unique challenge in this respect as so much of the game can be confusing to a non-informed viewer – or sometimes even a seasoned fan. Also, being a bit more impartial would be nice.
There have been a few changes at Rugby Australia as well this off-season, the major one being the announcement of new CEO Andy Marinos.
The former head of SANZAAR, Andy is a Zimbabwean-born, eight-Test Welsh centre who has the experience for the new role and is saying all the right things about growing the game, creating a winning culture, driving commercial value, and connecting with grassroots. Talk is cheap though and he faces one of the biggest challenges in Australian sport – growing rugby union and getting the Wallabies to win. It has undone a number of CEOs before him.
The biggest surprise this off-season has been RA’s offer to host the Lions tour against South Africa. Jeez that is weird to write. South Africa is obviously still in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, with a new variant making it especially dangerous to host international tours there, as shown by the Australian cricket team’s cancellation of their Test tour.
The idea from RA would be to give all the profits to the Lions and South African rugby, less the hosting costs. This is a strategic move by Rugby Australia, who are currently underway with a bid to host the 2027 World Cup.
It is also an olive branch to South Africa, who have been somewhat burnt by their exclusion from Super Rugby, as well as an opportunity for one of the highlights of the international rugby calendar to be used in Australia to bolster domestic interest. I would certainly make my way to a game to see the World Cup winners against the best of the British Isles.
I do not really expect this proposal to get off the ground but it shows RA’s willingness to think outside of the box and, for a struggling sport, ideas like this are key to growing the game and creating good international alliances.
A final note on Rugby Australia is a call out for the incredible job that outgoing interim CEO Rob Clarke did in the midst of the hardest period ever in Australian rugby. A stakeholder network at each other’s throats, a global pandemic and extreme monetary issues were dealt with an astute attitude, good strategic thinking, and a willingness to be flexible. Props to Rob.
The match schedule is now out for the women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this year, with some blockbuster matches including an opening day Australia vs New Zealand match.
The tournament kicks off on 18 September and the final will be held on Saturday 16 October. Strap yourself in for a feast of international rugby, with 12 teams competing. Carn Straya!
Finally, I would like to call out Queensland Rugby Referee Association (QRRA) stalwart Thomas Ryan, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day for his services to both rugby union and medical research.
The volunteers and people at club rugby level are the lifeblood of the game. Too often these people go without mention so it is good to see Thomas get the recognition he deserves.
charels
I always thought he was there to add a bit of yob to the commentary team and help overcome the view that rugby is just for toffs. Still, annoying all the same.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Promotion will be difficult. I can't see 7 and 100 promoting the game when it is on 9 fta. Paid adds for Stan may work. Since rugby has left Foxtel, I don't know how much support they would get from the Newscorp print media (65% of the market). Promotion will be a cause for concern.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Exactly we are in month two of a national lockdown, which is expected to last until end of March. That's a lot of eyes that can't leave the house crying out for more content! Particularly rugby fans who haven't played a match themselves in a year with grassroots having been suspended since first week of march 2020.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
The bigger the population, the more likely it would be. Then there is the lockdown factor to consider.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
That's as many as any english premiership rugby game on BT I would imagine. For example, I support Bristol, we play Gloucester tonight, I think it would be amazing if 100k were watching but I doubt it. And don't forget it's a population of 60 million here not 4 million in NZ or 25mil in Oz.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Last year's Crusaders-Highlanders game attracted a live audience figure of 100,000 in the UK for a game that started at 8am UK time. Would you know if that figure is standard or slightly above average?
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Yeah I read this article on Stuff mate it was about the potential private equity deal right for the ABs? What you must know is it doesn't mean there won't be deal, it just means it may not be worth the chunk of change it was. However, no sporting rights in the world are going to be worth what they were for the next 5 years. In terms of this deal being a one-off, I have lived here for 7-8 years and we've always had Super Rugby on in the morning.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
According to stuff. nz last week: The overseas rights for the 2016-2020 cycle were a cash bonanza for Sanzaar, which raked in about £20m a year (about NZ$38m) from pay-TV operator Sky UK alone after it was locked in a bidding war with rival BT Sport ... Sports media rights expert Colin Smith told Stuff last year "there's no chance" of a repeat deal of that size in the UK, and predicted a sharp fall for the Sanzaar partners... The peak Sky UK audience for a Super Rugby Aotearoa game last year was almost 100,000, given the time difference. Unfortunately, the pay TV model is failing given online streaming.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
The 2-week quarantine will be in place, but I believe the French will be able quarantine for 3 days providing and then if all have negative tests, they can train from day 4 onwards in isolation, ie. leave the hotel, go to training, and come back to hotel like the All Blacks did and on Day 14 essentially they can come out and play their first game. I think it can work. I am not sure what they would need to do at the other end. However, given Australia's low risk, I imagine when they return they won't need to quarantine provided they have a negative test.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Unsure what this means mate. I know BT, Sky, and streaming services such as Amazon have expressed interests in taking up the rights, but nothing is signed off yet. I can tell you there is a big audience in UK (not just expats) for Super Rugby and Rugby Championship/TriNations. It would be a massive blow over here if no one buys the rights. We are all hoping BT sport takes on the rights, then we have all the rugby on BT and can get rid of Sky :)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
If there is a two week quarantine in place, I doubt France will be able to come.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
It's not likely to, from what I heard. This deal was a one-off.
gurusculler
Roar Rookie
I don't buy The Worstralian, but I do read the back page or two over coffee at different cafes. The best part of its sports coverage is its columnists, particularly in cricket, but it is poorly served in rugby by giving a voice to Alan Jones, fair coach in the past, but whose peccadilloes and antediluvian world view detract from his credibility. His principal focus has been on damn foreigners, and today's column was just the same. I think he increasingly suffers from Relevance Deprivation Syndrome, with only Uncle Rupert giving him a voice. TBF, the Saturday edition does occasionally give Mark Ella a voice, and that CAN be interesting.
Matt G
Guest
To be fair- it’s great he’s so that stuff. Imagine being a kid watching the game and hearing your school/club/district get called out. That connects and inspires- that’s how you help nurture the grass roots of the game. It maybe seemed a bit tired to our eyes and ears but perhaps were a bit jaded? Thanks to the old commentary boys for years of calls and memories (good n bad). Good luck to the new crew- hopefully the find their feet from kickoff
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
The TV rights have not been bought yet in UK. Sky sport contract has run out. No announcement has been made here. I can tell you because I live here and check everyday.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Stan Sport instagram is two weeks old. They have not been prepared at all for this.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
SA have committed to Rugby Championship this year as has Argentina. France are not locked in to Tour in July yet. Oz Rugby definitely wants them, but it ain't a done deal. France are the favourites for 6 nations, and I'd be shocked if they don't win it. Would be a coup if Oz got to play reigning 6 nations champs. Let's see tho.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Yeah Stan Sport literally started up their Social Media channels two weeks ago. Nine need to absolutely lift, particularly in non heartland states like WA and Vic who host major teams. They are notorious, particularly in VIC to be shocking at promoting Storm and Origin live games on GEM/9. I'm not shocked by the comments the media coverage has sucked. I've not seen a single article on foxsports promoting the sport. Look at their rugby page. The latest content doesn't mention super rugby. It talks about RTS signing to All Blacks and All Blacks potential private equity deal. They are a pathetic bunch if that's how they're going to treat the sport.
Kick n Clap
Guest
Paul D, Randwick line?
Micko
Roar Rookie
It's not a huge part of our culture, most aussies don't give a stuff. The first two world cups were without a giant of the sport in South Africa, who subsequently have been the most successful in the sport since participating (and winning!) their first WC in 1995. The world cup's origin in rugby union (1987) coincided with a freak era of around 20 years (mid 80's to mid 2000's) where Australia produced a few consecutive golden generations that could compete with NZ, who (along with SA) are clearly the dominant nation in this sport.