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Australia 15 Fiji 22. That is the reality. After all the bluster, furore, crouch critique and eventual acceptance there is no getting away from the fact that the Wallabies Rugby World Cup hopes are hanging by an increasingly taut thread.
Not that even the most optimistic fan expected to come out of the tournament as world champions, but at the very least a quarter final was standard fare.
Pre-tournament there was equal measures of bemoaning the Australian squad (cue Eddie’s upper cut quip) and the performances this year, as there was the positive talk of the progress that the Flying Fijians have made, topped off by their first ever win over England; and at Twickenham of all places!
That, therefore, should not make the result as big an upset as is being painted. We are all aware of the ongoing issues that the pathways have had, or the form Super Rugby teams continue to track at; but the relatively new plus point for Fiji in the form of the Drua can not be underestimated. This has given an increased number of players exposure of playing high level, competitive rugby against varying styles and has enabled players to do so without having to leave the Islands and the Fiji Rugby Union to subsequently lose player eligibility or access.
RA, for their part, announced pre-tournament that they are renewing their push towards a centralised model. A move away from the quasi-halfway house that is currently in place with Wallabies signed by RA, but them not subsequently having any control over where said players are play, either in the country or even on the field. For example, much was made of the Waratahs hoarding outside half talent whilst other teams rely on one player in the position, or that Jordan Petaia spent two seasons as the next hope in the 15 jersey to then play Super Rugby in 11, 14, 13 and 15 when he wasn’t on the bench or medical table. This, of course, is then ripped up by Eddie Jones who reverts to 2019 and plays Petaia in the 13 shirt.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
David Nucifora got a bad rap in Australia when he left for the Emerald Isle; but his expertise may be best placed to help save the sinking ship. A coordinated, centralised approach can clearly help the elite end of the game, as evidenced by Ireland’s performances and world ranking. It can also help disperse talent from over-populated pools to those in which they can secure game-time and grow; examples of this are Robbie Henshaw prolong his career at “4th province” Connacht before moving to Leinster in a move that had been touted a year or 2 prior. Or the move of Joey Carberry from Dublin to Limerick (Leinster to Munster) to allow him to step out of Johnny Sexton’s shadow. Both of these are easy examples, that could be replicated in Australia with relative ease; similar could be said of coaching talent.
Pathways and talent identification, however, is a different story. The schools in Sydney and Queensland do a good job of this to a certain degree already; and it is unlikely that the barometer will be moved much in that regard. But what about the talent in public schools, or less traditional rugby union hotspots such as Melbourne, Canberra, Western Sydney, Perth or Country? Creating an aligned programme of how to identify, attract and retain this talent is must; and for lack of an alternative, viable option then RA could do much worse than investing in the Academy Movement; a company that looks to use sport (commonly rugby union) as a tool to help retain young people in education, thus giving individuals and schools improved results and prospects.
How would this benefit the top end of the game? Well it would be a slow burn; but simply getting more schools and young people playing rugby union on a regular basis. Providing them with skills and knowledge in things like nutrition, coaching, physiotherapy, sports science, business management etc can help create links between individuals, groups, communities, schools and the game which could have an accumulative effect over time. It may not create the headlines like a Joseph Suaalii does; but could help RA and local clubs tap into under appreciated markets that are currently being either left alone, or to rival codes.
This, of course, should not be done in insolation. The top and the bottom of the pyramid need work but there should be connection throughout; and if the schools that engaged with such a programme could be linked to local rugby union clubs a simple pathway is created. Create enough of these pathways and before you know it, there is a whole network of schools and clubs in addition to “traditional” institutions that the likes of the ‘Tahs, Red, Brumbies, Rebels and Force can utilise for players, coaches and fans. If I was a canny individual or club, I may then also look to provide young people with opportunities within my club to perform other roles in addition to or in place of playing the game to help create the next sport administrators, who could look to progress the game further.
It is by no means the golden egg, silver bullet, or other precious metal analogy you want to use; and Nucifora, Academy Movement or others may not be the ones involved, but action needs to be taken now to at least try and add some extra lifeboats if the iceberg can’t be avoided.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.