A clean sweep for New Zealand’s Super Rugby franchises over the weekend saw Australia’s rugby renaissance put on hold for another week. In normal times that would be met with a familiar shrug of resignation, but in light of the events of the week, it didn’t seem to matter so much.
Australia being awarded hosting rights for the 2027 men’s and 2029 women’s Rugby World Cups had been assured for some time, but given Rugby Australia’s past propensity for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, there was a palpable sense of relief when green and gold smoke finally wafted out of the chimney at World Rugby HQ in Dublin.
Reaction broadly fell into three camps. The popular response was unashamed delight, to take things at face value. A Rugby World Cup is a wonderful event, and while the figures being bandied about so far ahead of time contain more rubber than a teenager’s wallet on prom night, there is huge commercial potential for both Rugby Australia and the local economy.
A second group comprises sceptical rugby people with long enough memories to know how a wave of support for the sport around the turn of the century and a financial windfall from hosting the 2003 World Cup were frittered away. This coincided with the Wallabies and Australia’s Super Rugby sides growing increasingly uncompetitive and grassroots participants feeling angry and disenfranchised.
In the third camp are the people who for various reasons have already left the building but regardless still feel the need to repeat their ‘rugby is dead’ mantra. This includes sections of the media, hardcore fans who don’t relate to the modern game and casual fans who were happy to take a look 20 years ago but were never hooked.
How many of them quietly slip back onto the bandwagon in 2027 remains to be seen, but they’ll be made welcome.
Whatever the final outcome, and no matter that Australian and New Zealand rugby remain under severe pressure as a result of the disparity in player salaries with northern hemisphere competitions, this is very much a case of crisis averted.
With the World Cups preceded by the upcoming England tour and a Lions tour in 2025, a nicely spaced schedule of big-ticket events that will deliver welcome certainty to Rugby Australia’s revenue stream, which has been weighed down in recent times by disruption to the old broadcasting rights model and the debilitating impact of COVID.
Another benefit – not to be understated – is how the World Cup hosting confirmation changes the political undercurrent in Australian rugby. Rugby Australia hasn’t all of a sudden been coated in Teflon, nor have the problems around domestic structure been solved, but any continuation of the sniping and dissent that has been a feature of recent history has now largely been rendered pointless. In one fell swoop the narrative has been changed.
Businesses like predictability, and while Rugby Australia’s balance sheet is heavy with debt because operating costs are now under better control, budgeted surpluses and potential equity investment will provide the administration with some choices about how to manage that debt and simultaneously futureproof the sport.
The need for caution is self-evident. Everyone has heard stories of lottery winners, presented with a life-changing windfall, soon finding themselves living back in the same caravan park they thought they’d left behind. Australian rugby has been that person once; it cannot be so again.
(Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)
Nothing quite raises the suspicion and discomfort levels of rugby fans like the prospect of a hungry private equity firm sinking its fangs into their sport. Reaction to the pending New Zealand deal has been overwhelmingly negative, although the issue there isn’t so much private equity per se but the manner in which NZ Rugby hastened to approve a deal that was later shown to be capable of being substantially improved.
As in New Zealand, Rugby Australia remains a private equity play, albeit their need for cash is not as acute as it was this time last year. Businesses typically fund their operations through a combination of debt, equity and cash flow, and it is obviously far more preferable to be considering an equity partner as part of a suite of options rather than a desperate cash grab to staunch the bleeding.
Discomfort with Rugby Australia’s debt and opposition to private equity is widespread but tends to be emotional and often illogical. Imagine saying to a private business, ‘We want you to be world-class innovators, develop the highest quality products, be an employer of choice and deliver sales success and consistent profits… but you’re not allowed to borrow money nor get an equity investor onboard’.
That’s the kind of flawed proposition brought about by well-intentioned people who – justifiably in some cases – don’t trust rugby’s administrators with the wheel of the ship but who tend to be anchored in 1970s clubland thinking.
In this context rugby is viewed as the sport that existed pre-1995, albeit now with money available for the elite participants. The truth is that rugby is both a sport and a highly competitive global business, and just like how mum-and-dad hardware stores were faced with the onset of mega-stores, less wealthy and less financially resourced rugby nations like Australia and New Zealand must either find a way to stay relevant and in the game or roll over.
If and when it comes, the key to successful private equity involvement in Australian rugby is for the investment to be used to leverage participation and growth outcomes.
Springboks prop Frans Malherbe joined The Roar rugby experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones to talk about his unusual rugby origin story, what surprised him about the United Rugby Championship coming out of Super Rugby, and Rassie Erasmus’ call for a specialist scrum referee.
On the professional side, an obvious opportunity exists for Australia, along with New Zealand and their private equity partner, to properly resource SANZAAR and maximise the potential for Super Rugby as something other than a development pathway for their national sides.
More overt and judicious promotion of the competition in its own right would surely result in better fan engagement – on match day and at home – and deliver a substantive return on investment. All that is missing is foresight, courage and will.
A second opportunity exists with women’s rugby. In terms of professional development, Australia is well behind England and France, but there is residual goodwill and profile from the 2016 sevens gold medal that suggests a well-targeted strategy can result in junior and amateur participation being rapidly ramped up.
This isn’t just a pipedream but an urgent necessity. A cashed-up NRL has aggressively entered the player market, and unless a professional pathway can be demonstrated at the Super Rugby level, a generation of players risks being lost.
Interestingly, the biggest problem facing Australian rugby is not one that can be solved with money alone.
The need for a robust, sustainable second tier – call it NRC or whatever you like – is acute. Club rugby in most of the major centres is healthy and serves a valuable purpose. Ideally what it doesn’t need is messing with – to be turned into something it isn’t, to be jostled off its amateur and volunteer foundations.
At the same time, there is a natural desire to tap into the tribalism that exists, and one of the failings of the NRC, in Sydney in particular, was that arbitrary boundaries and abstract teams failed to garner support from clubland.
In truth, the Super Rugby franchises see themselves as clubs, and there is a certain amount of tribalism that underpins their operation. Given the potential benefits around utilising existing infrastructure and staff and continuity within the wider playing groups, it isn’t too much of a stretch to imagine a workable competition being constructed from the bones of what exists already.
Rugby Australia is playing its cards close to its chest. That’s understandable because a hybrid solution encompassing aspects of both would be a delicate manoeuvre to pull off.
Whatever the outcome is, there are two things that can’t happen. One is to further focus Australian rugby around Sydney and Brisbane, the other is to do nothing.
No amount of money is going to shift Australian rugby forward unless or until these puzzles are solved.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
To the weekend’s action, and the humour was provided firstly by Stan’s Tim Horan describing the dire Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika match as “brilliant” and secondly by New Zealand’s two best hookers being responsible for the two worst lineout throws of the season.
Codie Taylor’s was laugh-out-loud funny; Dane Coles’s came at a crucial time and potentially could have cost his side the match.
It’s no secret that the Force are keen to shake off the tag of being that spirited, gritty team that everyone struggles to overcome before usually overcoming them anyway. But folding 61-10 to the Highlanders probably isn’t what they had in mind.
As such, it wasn’t possible to properly assess Tony Brown’s experiment in shifting Sam Gilbert into flyhalf other than to note the Highlanders’ cohesion and confidence levels continuing to rise late into the competition.
After last week singling out the Brumbies loose forward trio for praise, it was the turn of the Crusader’s combination of Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace and Pablo Matera to take centre stage, paving the way to victory in Canberra by 37-26.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson told me at the recent ‘super round’ that it had taken some time for Matera to fit into the team pattern and learn what his role was.
It appears that Matera now fully understands: grab hold of the ball at every opportunity and run through and over any opponent who happens to be in his path.
There was a lot to like about the way the Brumbies staged a spirited comeback in the final ten minutes, but the Crusaders were too clinical and efficient in the first half for the result to ever be in doubt.
There’s a been a lot of goodwill shown by and towards Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua this year, but for viewers their historic first match felt like a friendship being stretched too far.
With both sides fumbling and bumbling, the Drua triumphed 34-19 simply because they made fewer errors and were more able to capitalise on their opponent’s bloopers. File under ‘A’ for anticipation and ‘E’ for execution.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Crowd sizes have begun creeping up again in Auckland; not surprising considering the brand of rugby the Blues are currently playing. There’s an eagerness to punch through contact, just as there is a willingness to play into space, sweeping their speed runners into the play.
A feature is the Blues’ astute decision-making in recognising when it’s on to shift quickly or when to play directly and making those decisions before defences have a chance to get set.
Despite that, for the second week in a row the Blues conceded four tries, which is equally reflective of a slight lack of defensive intensity and some tidy finishing by the Reds whenever they did manage to find parity and create scoring opportunities.
Crowds are also returning to Leichhardt Oval, and there was a buzz around the ground as Angus Bell and the Waratahs comprehensively outplayed the Hurricanes in the first half on their way to a 15-0 halftime lead.
But no lead is ever safe when Ardie Savea is on the other side, and as the visitors finally found some control, there was a sense of inevitability about the final 22-18 result.
It was another case of ‘so near yet so far’ for the Rebels in Melbourne, falling to the Chiefs 33-30 on the final play of the match.
Rebels skipper Michael Wells experienced rugby’s highs and lows in the space of a thrilling but agonising denouement, towering high to brilliantly steal a lineout against the throw, but suffering as his side had an exit kick charged before watching three defenders drop off Chiefs replacement prop Ollie Norris as he bullocked over for the win.
After last week’s humiliation in Auckland, this was a Rebels performance to stir the hearts of supporters and hint at better days ahead. It seems that the light at the end of the tunnel may not be an oncoming train after all.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
He's back ..... again!! Unreal!!!!!
scrum
Roar Rookie
Geez , rants just have a look at the language used by me and the language used by me. Your words “,sicko, nutter ,stay on your medication , spoilt brat, arrogant ,ignorant, hypocrite” Now I have not been an angel but never reached anywhere near the level of aggression shown by you. And accusations over Murdoch press - what’s that. And all the talk of culture which is irrelevant but seems to b a driving factor in your comments- once again why even mention that. And you will not accept this for a minute but best for your future. I will refrain from replying to any comments from you in the future- it’s a pointless exercise wasting both our times. And enjoy the Rugby, the Kiwis will dominate the finals so that is something for you to enjoy, my Reds will be quickly eliminated.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well obviously with your ' short sightedness' most can see where the ' anger management ' is required, going by your ridiculous on going rants!! But being a know known hypocrite, that makes it far more obvious. As I said before, try seeking help, as you still have so much to learn, & it just might help, in not being so arrogant & ignorant.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Not sure I agree about the Tahs defense. It's been hugely improved this year and has been one of their strengths. The Chiefs got away from them but that game was an anomaly, red cards, yellow cards, lots of injuries. Their last 3 games against the Crusaders, Moana and Hurricanes they've allowed 21ppg on average.
scrum
Roar Rookie
More anger more childish insults. Mate all the best for the future. I really do hope you can shed yourself of the anger- it’s not good for your health
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
You're a sicko, alright sonnyboy, being the total hypocrite you evidently are. Now just run along & put your toys back in your cot. A complete nutter as you, should stay on your medication!!!
scrum
Roar Rookie
Just look at the language used by you and the language used by me. None of the aggression none of the anger on my side – all over high school rugby. Attack insult and abuse. Well done- I actually feel sorry for you going thru life with all that anger and hate
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Oh Ffs are you still throwing your toys outta the cot like a spoilt brat?? This also along with you're ignorance of others & their cultures, that you even question the word ' Gubba', referring to it as ' racial', and you live in Australia??? This included with your arrogance, so it seems. I too can make assumptions hypocrite, so back on your, obviously ' Murdoch media ' garbage trash websites, to find what most Kiwi's know. Honestly, you so full of it, as seen by your previous two blogs, & prior to that was it three??? Fkn pathetic, as it's obvious you have something seriously wrong. Yeh, I'm running you down, as you have me, but obviously are too stupid to notice that. Just grow up!!!!
Fox
Roar Guru
Yeah fair points to you Geoff those a fair comments and would agree. By-the-way did you see Gregory Pauls article on B.Barrett? I thought is was very good and highlighted some things about his game right now and before – no doubt you did but here is the link https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/gregor-paul-we-may-be-witnessing-the-second-coming-of-beauden-barrett/DQFEL3HE6PUINWT5VCN23IFJ7Y/ …..another headache for the Brumbies me thinks…I think we are finding some depth back at prop in NZ ( quite comforting that Owen Frank has returned thank god) and at lock and we are backrow deep with form of players like DP, Akira ( how was that kick for Barrett last week! ), Ardie, Jacobson, and Cane looks better each week as well. Frizel ( if he can stop getting injured) Blackadder is playing well also but lack variety in his game IMO. Robinson may provide the AB’s with good bench option as well as he has been playing lock most of the season – we shall see. Bloody quick for a lock! But there are a couple of others that fit that bill also. Josh Lord looks like a good prospect and Tucker who had yet another barnstorming game last week. A lot of players who were entry level All Blacks are now really stepping up this season like DP – Tuugafasi – Sotutu as well – Tupou Vaa’i etc. I think we will see a more phyical AB’s this year with stronger depth with the maturing game of many players. I worry about Fosters talent at the top but he has Irish Joe with him this season and that gives me hope – look at the development of the Blues pack since he came on board Geoff I think Foster must pick a settled side and stick with it – say okay, this is my starting 15 and 23 – or we will wind up with same issues we had in 2003 – 2007 and 2019 ( Shags has to take some blame for 2019 however) . In 2011 nad 2015 we had a side that virtually picked itself because they had been playing together for so long and their individual quality and Foster has to trust players to build combinations which he has failed to do IMO. I think many AB players looked either worn out or not worn in enough – take your pick! He needs to stop picking players in centres like – and I am sorry and yes I know he a great defensive general – but like ALB who has neverending injury issues that disrupts the building of combinations. Its hurting the Chiefs as well IMO.
1997 Brumbies
Roar Rookie
In direct response to your comment jcm about opportunities. I feel like that time has passed. I don’t think rugby in general is lacking in opportunity. Most good Shute Shield, even John I Dent cup, players who just aren’t good enough for Super Rugby yet are getting picked up by Japan and USA and I don’t think a minimum wage part time contract in a tier two comp would be enough to persuade them to stay here over a pro contract overseas. I do feel like though if Super Rugby was more financially successful it would be great to have the money to bring some of those players back if they develop into high quality athletes overseas. Which is why I would want to keep the development comp more narrow.
1997 Brumbies
Roar Rookie
Yes an extra team or two would be fantastic in the long run and should be the aim of any second tier comp. But the cost in the creation of these teams is surely too much for RA to handle right now. If you start with five the infrastructure is there, the fan base is there, the coaching is there, the players already live in areas where they train. The media teams/person at each franchise is already there. Creating an entirely new product is probably beyond the reach of RA at present. It should be simple, easy to understand and follow, people know who the teams are. If you wanted to create a comp to leave Super Rugby then by all means create a further 2-3 teams. But if the goal is high performance than I think five teams (without rep players) is definitely enough. Remembering the success of the Kookaburras/Brumbies. Other than having some amazing couching they had all played together for a number of games before coming into SR. They weren’t pulled from a bunch of teams and asked to gel. Imagine the Force (having very few reps players at present) getting the chance to play another 8 games together at a high but more forgiving level than SR. Keeping our teams playing together and not dispersing (like the NPC) could give the Aussie teams a distinct advantage in SR. Particularly players coming in during the SR season to cover injury to a top line player. They would now be very familiar with the team structure and players around them. The idea of the second tier isn’t really to contract more players as we do not have the money, it’s primarily to create a secondary high performance environment with a bonus of unearthing an eager club player or two and spreading the game outside the metro areas. I suppose I’m looking at it from one way, and that is success breads interest/fanbase. I can see others arguments that a club/rep link is a better option and we should draw from the success of the Shute Shield. I just think that a five team development comp will lead to greater SR success for the franchises, which will lead to more players staying in Aus/more local interest, then more money and overall more national success. At the moment we have three competitive teams, the force who have just come back into the comp are still finding thier feet and have a serious financial backer who wants to see the game grow in the west. We have the rebels who are an absolute basket case largely because they can’t hang on to there squad but as a positive have a roster of 40% local players (leaving more players to QLD/NSW) who will hopefully stick around and get better. If the Waratahs lads had been been able to play together more at the end of last year who knows how good they would be now. Probably at least a few months better into there development and really pushing the top teams. For the Brumbies and Reds we’ve seen how hard it is for a 10 to come into this comp and hit the ground running, with a development comp last year and Lolesio and JOC on tour they would have had 10’s with at least a few games experience in the team able to come in with much more ease and knowledge of the system and peers.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Don't get too hung up on the numbers, Fox. Ultimately professional sport is about who wins and who loses, but most people have moved well beyond measuring NZ v Aus on that basis. NZ has been too dominant for too long for that. And still are. That will come back when things get closer again, but for now, it's more about looking for indicators that change is occurring. Because the gap was so wide, parity isn't going to be achieved in one or two seasons, but it is possible to look behind the numbers and see where some of the changes are occurring. Australian franchise still suffer a relative deficit of ready and skilled players, but they are slowly starting to build better squads at the same time NZ franchises are being more tested for their depth. That's reflected in a far higher number of competitive matches.
scrum
Roar Rookie
I just googled Midget rugby in NZ. So nothing came up at all with the title Midget Rugby. It did take me to some Club websites where interestingly enough none of the Clubs had Junior teams older than U13. So I checked Allblacks website - nothing there. So I texted some Kiwi mates who are heavily involved in Rugby. None seem to know about midget rugby. And finally I was fascinated by the word Gubba. It appears it is a racist term to describe white people. I guess if I was white I may be offended or maybe I would laugh it off.
scrum
Roar Rookie
Good grief what an incomprehensible response. So rescuing people from Mt Aspiring has something to do with secondary school rugby. I never. My only real claim was that at secondary school level Rugby is school based. I freely admit I do not have knowledge of Midget Rugby. What age group is that. You still have provided no proof that Rugby at teenage level is not primarily school based. And to be honest why is that such a big deal to you. Once again a lot of assumptions about my ethnicity. My website – are you referring to the Otago Rugby website that publishes the competitions that kids are involved with. Now that would be an odd conspiracy. And I just checked my original post. All I said was that in Aussie teenage Rugby was club based unlike NZ where it is school based. And you see that as belittling you. Even if I was wrong- and all the evidence and knowledge I have would indicate I was not wrong- how can that be seen as belittling you.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh we did use squash, in many ways, back then, Geoff, just to ' up' our fitness levels, & sharpness, as well.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
So obviously with your continuing rants, you know everything about rugby in Aotearoa. I've just come back, from meeting up with a very good Indigenous buddy, & we actually mentioned your ' pigheadedness' in known everything about sfa, in Aotearoa rugby. his reply, ' Typical Gubba' . But now your saying that I should believe the BS, your website, has spewed, in regards to what I've been told by my extended whanau??? Ffs, it's still happening, in Aotearoa, where we still have ' midget' age group. in primary schools as well as clubs. Do you understand THAT???? I don't give a rats rear, how extensively you've travelled Aotearoa, as I've been involved with a few people, that we had to pull off Mt. Aspiring, cause they thought they knew it all, as you. In fact, it was my original post that you belittled. I don't mind an opinion, but your criticism, is a tad overboard. Or are you again, to blind to see that???
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ they need those state teams back, giving the communities the feeling they’re genuinely part of the pathway again” I have some sympathy for this view, Andy, although Regional Rep Catchments, rather than ‘states’ is my preference. Nothing has more tribal following than Shute Shield in Sydney. Not huge numbers of course, which is why we’re all here nutting it out. The updraft tribalism from the clubs to NRC is my preferred direction of tribal flow, for two reasons: 1) A Super Reserve grade comp will inherit a recent history of fan dissonance, while a NRC Club Rep Regions, eg SydNorth, SydSouth would draw fans from club battles. The tribes are halfway there. Randwick and Uni are strange bedfellows but an alliance from the north would relish a crack at the traditional powerhouses. 2) Club Affinity. An NRC closely associated with Clubland in a mutually beneficial way (eg ground takings for NRC crowds, hire of facilities by the ‘Rep’ teams etc.) would increase its chances of success (Note: sabotage does not = success). And by restricting player flow to those who’ve come through the local districts, an upward path may be siphoned from the local paddocks. No more ‘player migration’ at NRC level. All players stay in the region of their club. It they are good enough they may be signed at Tier 2 Super level at a remote franchise, but that is pro level. NRC should remain semi-pro at most, like the clubs, at least until tribal and financial sustainability is established.
Fox
Roar Guru
I think a little perspective as well though Geoff. I agree with what you are saying but the reality is they have only won 5 matches and before this it was about 3 then 4 a season so how much have they really come forward? And 3 of those were from one side. In two or three of those wins the Kiwi sides had several AB’s or key match players out due to the stupid resting system and injury. Proof? Look at the difference with Crusaders against Australia’s best side with all thier match winners like Mounga and Jordon and co back after the defeat to the Tahs. The Brumbies never looked like winninng. And we are still geting ridiculous blow outs like the Blues v Rebels. The Reds have been disappointing since the cross-Tasman comp began and Tupou was playing most of these games and when James O’C came back it did not alter the result last week. Australian teams have lost games after having substantial leads just too often and often due to – and regrettably, it is often the case – not being able to go with the kiwi sides in last 15-20 mintes which has been an endemic issue in recent years or even just being outclassed in the 2nd half or from the bench as in the Hurricanes v Tahs game last weekend. Some really excellent idividuals have stood up and that makes good signs for the Wallabies and Rennnie – very good signs IMO. Their depth is definitely improving – though 10 is a major issue for me – even O’Connor is not IMO, what we would call a ‘genuine’ world class 10 with a fantastic all round game. Still, very good player. But what is coming up – The Business End – which began last week as it is the run to the finals – this is where we will see just how far they have really come . Last weekend was not a good sign when your top side gets 37 points put on them against one of the kiwi heavyweights with all their big guns back. Overall much better but not convincing enough yet for me Geoff to scream Australian rugby revival against NZ sides. But improved contests have certainly made some games much better to watch and keep you intersted for sure and it is good to see teams like the Brumbies notching up some much needed wins. But Blues v Brumbies – boy that is an important game for, not just the Brumbies, but Australian rugby Geoff – at this point in time anyway. You just cannot underestimate this games importance. The Blues D near the line is not as strong as the Crusaders but around the park and in attack they are at the top of their game and have literally been running teams ragged with the pace of their game and the attackiong threat everywhere. Can the Brumbies do what the Crusdaers could not? Go with them!.
Fox
Roar Guru
Maybe Geoff it was something green that was smoking, making those around feel like gold .....and a tad hungry :laughing:
scrum
Roar Rookie
Apparently Noah back for the Brums but Bobby V still injured.