On Friday morning Australian rugby union will hopefully come off life support and be placed into remission.
Rugby in Australia has been in decline for 20 years. This is despite the rise of the sport competing with the NRL and AFL consistently from 1995 to 2003. It’s fallen to fourth at best among the winter codes.
However, there is a light ahead that could potentially turn out to be a beacon.
The best thing coming out of Rugby Australia in the preceding two or three years is that they have at least acknowledged the demise, whereas in the past they would have attempted to sugar-coat it.
The first thing any person or business needs to do before fixing a problem is to acknowledge that it exists. If it’s not acknowledged, it’s not being addressed.
For Rugby Australia, that was step one in a long road ahead.
What Rugby Australia has done since the ‘amateurism’ was placed on the table in 2019-20 is to stop trying to appease every party and look for the long-term benefits.
The Lions were always on the agenda, but to toss in not one but two Rugby World Cup tournaments in a relatively short space of time would be remarkable. Let’s hope Friday morning goes our way.
But let’s also be appreciative of what is happening in the media in the past few weeks.
Ian Payten, Georgina Robinson and Wayne Smith have all published positive articles, and I think you can feel a sense of pride in the sport they are passionate about and covering.
The results of the Australian Super Rugby teams have been far better than expected, and the Shute Shield has delivered some of the best results from the Western Sydney catchment that we’ve seen in years.
This could all come undone, and possibly will, with poor results against England in July. Any good work could also come crashing down with the Rugby Championship and how the Wallabies can compete. But it appears that RA is still forging ahead with the right noises.
A result for the Brumbies in Super Rugby could be a massive hit for the code, as would be a home semi-final for the Tahs, but again, these are sugar hits.
The retention of talent has been great this year, and although the likes of Tom Banks and Angus Scott-Young are taking up lucrative offers, Noah Lolesio, Jordan Petaia, Andrew Kellaway, Lachlan and Ryan Lonergan, Darcy Swain and others are committed to getting this pre-marathon trial underway.
There appears to be a long-term plan, and perhaps we’re all not privy to it, but in the past we all thought RA – and ARU before it – was wasting its chances
As I have suggested in previous posts, I am a lover of all sports and codes, and despite some suggestions otherwise, I continue to write because the product that is rugby in Australia is good and well.
The management of the code has been lacklustre, to be honest, but the current skippers do appear to be maintaining a strong course.
With the windfalls that may be upon Australian rugby over the next ten or so years, let’s hope that same course continues doesn’t see us enter a storm that consigns it to the previous sewers that we’ve been through before.
I am not a journalist, but rugby needs promotion. The product is awesome; let people know about it. My articles are to create comments and let people talk.
Rugby is rising; how far it goes is up to the public.
Francisco Roldan
Roar Rookie
I agree with you Ulrich...! "Success breeds interest. Interest leads to more player involvement which then translates into more quality players to select from...". This is the beginning of a virtuous circle. For example, after some successful participation of Argentina in world cups, where we reached the 'bronze', the participation and influx of children and adolescents to rugby clubs was notorious. It is an example of how success can encourage a virtuous circle. Following the same logic, but in reverse, Covid19 devastated the participation of players in our club rugby. Some estimates spoke of 30% fewer registered players during 2020. I think that this percentage should be increasing in 2021 and 2022.
Francisco Roldan
Roar Rookie
Good Note Riggers...! It is possible to be optimistic and your collaboration shows it. I know a little about the structure of Australian rugby and am excited about the progress on Shute Shield, as well as the support that SuperRugby was able to offer from that source. RWC2023 should be an item to watch as it will change the fortunes of several national teams.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
It can make a difference in an established rugby country like Australia, especially if Australia wins. Many kids will witness it and may consider rugby union in the future. There’s also a monetary incentive that Rugby Australia can pour back into the game locally. Yes, I don’t think it helps Madagascar host the RWC, for example. But it certainly helped Japan I would think and it would help any of the regular nations who could host it. You may have a month + of Rugby union stealing the headlines in Australia as opposed to your other sports. That, coupled with a home cup lift could be the catalyst for another successful generation down the line. Success breeds interest. Interest leads to more player involvement which then translates into more quality players to select from.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
RA Aim : To win the WC in 2027. To use the 2023 WC as a stepping stone by promoting the players and coaching staff necessary to achieve that end. Method : To conduct a cull of those players who have been a part of our long term failure. Those who can’t improve. To give all young players a clear hope that they can be part of this plan and direction and help on what they need to do to to improve.
Jim
Guest
I don't understand why hosting something is seen as a game-changer. Qatar is hosting the soccer world cup and nobody expects them to suddenly become world-class. South Korea didn't become a sporting giant because it hosted the Olympics. Who else is bidding for 2027? There is always talk of the legacy of the stadiums but they usually end up never fulfilling their potential. There is always talk of attracting kids and parents to the sport but they watch for the duration of the tournament and then return to their first love. The fact a few journos are writing positive things is a plus but, in reality, it makes no difference as the only people who read them are the ones who like the sport in the first place. How much money is wasted on the potential that might be gained from hosting tournaments? How much more could be gained if that money was spent on the grassroots and building players and teams who can actually win the bloody thing.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
The Two Blues results have been golden. Exactly what Sydney needs
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Yeah mate I get it. No big deal.
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
I know I shouldn't,TLN,but can't help myself sometimes.Also,I was a Guest for quite a long time but never posted crap like this.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Gees mate DON'T GET SUCKED IN BY GUESTS!
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
Hey,I even saw some positive writing from Christy Doran!
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
So why do you bother to comment,HP?
Hi Pfitzy
Guest
What a load of crap. Rah rah is sitting precisely where it always has in Australian sport - of no interest outside a dozen private schools and their ex-students.
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
Wait - where is Tom Banks going?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Thanks Riggers and I cant see friday morning going any other way than Aus hosting in 2027. With the Lions and the WC in Aus over the next 5 years its the best opportunity for Aus rugby to get back a stronger foothold than it currently has and hopefully this time the lessons of past waste have been learnt from. I loved the 2003 WC here in Aus and look forward to it here in 2027.