Like any respectable rugby tragic, I’ve spent the past few years scouring articles, listening to pods and indulging the experts who all claim to know what’s wrong with Australian rugby.
I kind of have the answer, which is that our problem is multi-tentacled. That’s why pretty much every recent administrator, even John O’Neill in his second coming, has come to grief. Every time one tentacle is hacked off, two more grow in its place.
Everyone has been blamed for rugby’s difficulties, most especially the players and coaches, who are working at the coalface week after week, with every failing laid bare for the critics to dissect. As for the CEOs and chairs, well, poisoned chalice comes to mind. And who hasn’t complained about the rugby media for being either too cosy or too hostile?
There’s always someone to blame.
But one group that so far has escaped scrutiny for its part in Australian rugby’s woes is us, the supporters. That’s right, you and me.
Or do you think that none of rugby’s problems is your fault?
I’m putting up my hand to say that I’ve been part of the problem. At times, I’ve been a very bad fan.
A few years ago, I was losing interest, wanting someone else to motivate me, making every excuse under the sun not to do my duty. As a paying customer, I whined, why should I bother supporting the Wallabies when they probably weren’t going to win? I’ve supported them for years, it’s up to other people now. Anyway, it’s too cold and I hate going to Homebush.
But being a supporter is so much more than being a paying customer. Yes, it’s helpful to buy tickets, subscribe to Stan and purchase merchandise but that’s only part of it.
Being a supporter means backing your team in every way, and especially when they’re struggling. Otherwise, you’re just a fair-weather fan.
It means going to watch your team in person whenever you can because you make a difference just by being there, wearing the colours and yelling encouragement.
It means talking constructively about your team and about rugby, and not ranting just because you can.
It means not conflating losing or poor performances with a lack of commitment.
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
It means taking the time to provide respectful feedback to administrators about what’s working and what’s not, from your perspective.
Those of us in the east can surely learn a few lessons from the Sea of Blue, who’ve stuck fast with their team through thick and thin. They’re getting their just deserts now, with the Western Force making the Super Rugby AU finals and, so far, being the most competitive Aussie side in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. Good on them.
Sure, overall, the Trans-Tasman results have been less than inspiring for Australian fans. But have you seen a lack of endeavour from any team, even when they’ve been outgunned and out-manoeuvred? I haven’t, and it’s that attitude that makes me really excited about what’s to come for Australian rugby.
My Super Rugby team, the Waratahs, has lost every game this season but I couldn’t be prouder of them. They’re as green as grass and have a gazillion fewer professional caps than just about everyone else. But they’re putting in every week despite numerous challenges and have uncovered a few rough diamonds that will shine for years to come.
Which is why, this coming Saturday, I’m going to be part of the solution rather than the problem. Despite the predicted cold, wet snap and the fearsome Crusaders lying in wait, I’m going to Wollongong to support my team – and without a single whinge.
Geoff
Roar Rookie
wow, the most insightful and humane article i have seen, rugby is for fun and excitement, revel in the pure pleasure of the skills and intent, it makes it is special when you can see the freedom in their play.
Bearrr
Roar Rookie
I see this as an elitist coup by the east against the west. I hate to say it but I believe there is an element of racism as well when you have a look at the playing membership in those clubs.
Bearrr
Roar Rookie
"Seven influential Sydney rugby clubs are the driving force behind a controversial participation agreement for 2022 that one president believes is “designed to eliminate” three Shute Shield teams in Western Sydney, including one formed in 1879." This is Australian Rugby's biggest fan problem, elitists trying to steal the game from everyone. "“If seven clubs have got power and if they have come up with this draft participation agreement, well it’s designed to eliminate us. “Surely they must see benefit out of the underdog getting some success rather than trying to develop elitism.“If clubs disappear all these kids will go to league.
LSWS
Guest
Problem is, I was that positive guy for years and years and years... and years. Relentlessly backed the Wallabies and Waratahs through Bledisloe loss after Super Rugby loss. Can only be that positive for so long..
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I tend to agree with the thrust. On one hand people are free to like what they want and it’s on the code’s to appeal to them. But at the same time there’s a lot of excuse making and blaming the administrators when you just lose interest in the sport. If you are moving to other codes then that’s clearly an issue with one code, but if you are just drifting away it comes across as people who don’t prioritise watching sport (mostly for reasonable reasons) but want to blame somebody else. But really what I think is critical is some many so called fans talk the game down. Then complain that people are turning away. When you are going around telling people how bad the game is (much of the complaints completely outside RA control, eg. Laws of the game) why would you be surprised that people turn away?
Who woulda thunk it
Guest
You mean a bunch of Pimms drinking, elbow patch wearing, LandRover driving, ex private schoolboys isn’t perfection?
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Mr Leg, "UwA", a code to live by! Cheers, PS and well done.
Linphoma
Guest
Yes, I'm reading this and nodding my head. A sensible rather than shrill voice.
ojp44
Guest
Yeah, I mean who would put up with a decade of more of your team not winning; or not really looking likely to win.... and yet (for example) St Kilda have spent 148 years playing VFL / AFL, to win it all once; have won wooden spoon more than any other club, have the second lowest all time winning % and still had 45,000 paid up club members in 2020... Obviously different strokes for different folks and all, which I am fully onboard with, but it cant only be about wins and losses for everyone (Oz Rugby 2 x RWC winners, 4 x Super Rugby Champs, 10 x Bledisloe Series wins, 1 x BIL Series win in the time since St Kilda won their comp)
Bearrr
Roar Rookie
I believe we stopped believing in ourselves. When we had an all-inclusive Rugby with an Australian administration and coaches we won. Rugbyweek at TG Milner, we saw everyone in the state, a belief in the growth areas in the West of Sydney, a willingness to drop underperforming players, and a belief that some from other than the Eastern suburbs or private schools could play, we won. Rugby was great when grassroots rugby was great, we won then when we weren't professional. Yes as spectators we have become blase, but with change just for change driven by an out-of-touch administration can you blame us.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Saw my first game of QLD RU in 1982 and have watched or attended as many games as possible since then. I cheered for the Reds in the glory days of the 90's, was always an avid financial supporter of QRU on XXXX hill at Ballymore and in the pig pen afterwards. Stuck solid in the lean years to be rewarded in 2011. Watched all the games during the Graham years and would fly down each year for a mates reunion and Reds v Tahs. We flew our clients down for boozy test match weekends at Lang Park. I am up in Townsville this weekend to see Reds v Chiefs with my 2 boys. I ain't part of the problem, I am just deluded and dare to dream.
JC
Roar Rookie
There’s a lot to work through there, GE. Rugby is certainly having to think strategically and creatively about how we can survive and thrive in s challenging sporting landscape.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Good on ya JC.
Machooka
Roar Guru
The ROAR is good alternative involvement... although, at times, one's 'involvement' feels like being at the bottom of a ruck but without the grass stains and then the need to wash one's strip! :laughing: :laughing:
Goodbye NRC
Roar Rookie
the Roar is a good source for rugby, that's another point, Rugby AU seem very hap hazard on promoting the sport, you hardly ever see anything in the news papers or the TV about rugby. That should surely impact the support being generated for the code. I've been a long time reader of Roar and other rugby sites, only recently decided I'd start contributing and get more involved.
Goodbye NRC
Roar Rookie
it should be a better atmosphere with a larger crowd, it's just circumstances this year have caused me not even to think about going to a match, Brookvale isn't a bad option, when the NRC was on I was there regularly. I'll have to check into it.
Graeme Evans
Guest
Just like tennis, swimming and perhaps cricket Aussie rugby fans have to face the reality that in almost every sport we play we are minnows who did well in the past but now face cashed up countries with larger populations and bigger media pies. We will have the occasional win against odds ( and don’t forget we are one of a few countries who regularly defeat the All Blacks, just not able to repeat for a few years!) I think our problem is pretty straightforward but it doesn’t automatically follow that supremacy over anyone awaits. We need an integrated competition with high school and University feeding into Grade and then state and then Super. Put millions into high school and University squads and get rid of the private school everyone else sucks attitude. Develop fairly balanced competitions based on weight at least until age 18. Reward try scoring with bonus points at all levels. E.g. score a try in the first ten minutes bonus point. Score a try with a player off the field bonus point. And this needs money. So what? If someone wants to put money in good! The more the better. Commercialisation? Sorry, where have you been since the 90 s. Televise high school semis and finals. Have a new car as a prize for some random ticket holder at every game from high school finals to uni etc . Pick out fifty talented young men and women and pay their uni fees in advance. Of course there are more important things in life than rugby. Love the one you are with. Listen to Jarosz and Snarky Puppy. Plant broad beans. Percolate every day.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
The Black Sorrows don’t go up against Architecture in Helsinki, winner to take on the Art of Fighting in the list of great Melbourne bands. Show me the band ladder that operates in the same way as the Super Rugby Trans Tasman ladder on the SANZAR site. Keep trying, mate.
Machooka
Roar Guru
:angry: + :angry: + :boxing: = seething
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yeah, interesting comment Tahs_tradgic about your own sense of commitment or lack of it. . I got to a stage where it was near impossible for me to go to matches due to my work commitments… and rationalised that with spending the filthy lucre on Foxtel. Now, less so on Stan. . I felt I was at least there in spirit which was better than nothing at all. And my constant involvement here on the ROAR also fills the physical void of non-attendance… but I’m still way more actively involved than a lot of so-called ‘fans’… for whatever their reasoning may be :thumbup: . Totally agree about the SCG… it’s a shyte ground to watch a game of rugby :unhappy: