Roar Rookie
Joined May 2021
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How good was it to see 42,000 screaming rugby fans watching the two best rugby teams in Australia fight out an epic final on…
A few random thoughts/opinions:
– Super rugby is broken in Australia, fewer and fewer people care enough each year to turn up and watch. I don’t think this is fixable
– Aus and NZ fundamentally want different things from SR: rugby has a captive market in NZ, they want a competition that prepares the All Blacks for international rugby – Australia needs a competition that is attractive to Australians and can compete in the crowded local market
– There is now too much bad blood between RA and NZRU for there to be a genuine partnership, there is fault on both sides but we should accept the reality that we are competitors not friends and act accordingly
– NZ are no doubt very happy to take 70% of Super Rugbys revenues while bearing 50% of the costs and will be reluctant to agree to any change
– If we continue in Super Rugby it can only be on the basis of an equal split of the total revenue generated by the competition, Aus takes 5 twelfths, NZ takes 5 twelfths, and the Drua and Pacifica take 1/12 each, anything less and we should walk away
– Australia has a once in a lifetime opportunity to use the carrot of 2 world cups and a lions tour to lock in a long term broadcast deal for a new local comp if we choose that path
– For me the only option is to shake hands with NZ and walk away from super rugby and try a local comp. Fundamentally super rugby isn’t working for us anymore, interest and participation are declining across the board, and we have to try something else
– Every super rugby game between two Aussie teams next year should have a womens game as the curtain raiser as a step towards professionalisation for womens rugby
'Chop the Rebels'? The simplistic reaction that would do nothing to help solve Australian rugby's problems
The TLDR: Wallabies can’t attack, can’t defend, have weak set piece and kicking game, give away penalties because they’re constantly under pressure.
We’re stuck in the worst of all worlds, we don’t have the size and strength to play a set piece or power game like the Boks or the English, and we don’t have the speed and skill to play an attacking game like NZ or a territory game through kicking.
Wallabies' 'technically reprehensible' flaw emerges in deep dive into The Rugby Championship rivals
My opinion is that we have 3 major issues, I think part of it is coaching – since Eddie Jones was Wallaby coach we have trained/coached our professional players to follow pre planned phase rugby like mindless zombies, so they have lost their ability to think and react, our players seem to lack core skills as well that they then pick up when overseas.
Below professional level I think our players don’t get enough games at school/junior/pre-professional levels compared to other nations, so they just have less rugby experience. There’s also a selection issue, I wonder if our talent identification finds the best prospects or if perhaps there’s a preference for certain schools above say players from clubs. The relative lack of opportunity with only 5 professional teams and no third tier means we loose many players to other codes or overseas.
Is bigger always better for Australian players who go to Europe?
Does the game plan include: running sideways, dropping high balls, getting turned over after weak carries, and aimless kicking? Then yes Kurtley is the answer
Analysis: Is Kurtley Beale really the answer to the Wallabies' fullback conundrum?
The Shute Shield comment was a bit of a low blow, more aimed at our under-performing administrators. I actually really enjoy SS games, I have fond memories of watching the 3pm Saturday games on ABC. It does a bit of a north elitism thing going though, from my distanced observation anyway. They seem to rarely miss a chance to throw away an opportunity, failing to move into Sydneys west in any significant way, kicking the Vikings out for being too successful etc. I think they do a role, as an amatuer comp rather than a semi pro fourth tier they’re trying to be. Haven’t had a chance the Hospital cup yet
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
Thanks for the comment, Maybe a post domestic comp TT/champions league, split into a Plate and Bowl like 7s. The top teams play for the Plate and bottom half play for the bowl. Definitely agree on the local derbies
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
I won’t take it personally, you’re missing some amazing writing and hilarious anecdotes (in my opinion anyway)
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
I’d call it realistic with a hint of pessimism rather than alarmist. You’re right, the brums and force played well, but based on our performances as a whole I’d say five wins, plus or minus 2, is about right, one of our teams in the top half and an all kiwi final. I also really hope I’m wrong and we turn it around, time will tell I guess
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
Thanks connor, I’m definately aiming for balance plus a bit humour
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
Thanks Leigh, some kind of champions league at the end of respective domestic comps could be an option
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
I sincerely hope your optimism trumps my pessimism Markus
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
Thanks for the great comment Butcher, it’s hard to imagine 42,000 turning out at Suncorp to watch to watch the Reds battle the Brumbies for fifth place. I also agree on drafts, but I feel something like that would be required in first year or 2 of a domestic comp – if it happened – or else the existing teams would have a massive advantage.
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
Thanks for the comment Davis, my counter argument would be that playing in Super Rugby isn’t exactly helping us win the Bled either, it seems further and further away each year tbh
Why Australian rugby should go it alone
Hmmm, I might be cynical but this sounds like a kiwi telling Australia what it needs to do ensure New Zealand rugby’s success to me
'Destroyed the soul of rugby': Ex-NZR boss delivers damning verdict of Super direction - and his plan to fix it