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The post-mortems of the third Lions Test all have a common theme and it must be excruciating reading for the Australian Rugby Union, coach Robbie Deans and the Wallabies squad.
No point adding to their pain – enough has been written.
But what of the balance of 2013 for the Wallabies?
CEO Bill Pulver must surely be hunkered down creating a plan to end the year on a high. But what can be done to rescue the Wallabies 2013 season? And who will he turn to for guidance?
There is no shortage of experts willing to prescribe a winning formula for the Wallabies to follow. It is in fact a really crucial moment in the evolution of professional rugby in Australia. The game is genuinely struggling to retain a dedicated following.
But then there are some who believe that rugby in Australia simply does not have the depth of the game in New Zealand, South Africa and Britain and therefore it’s grossly unfair to expect the Wallabies to match their skills.
They have a point.
However, the elephant in the professional rugby room just can’t be ignored. The game is losing support – or at least struggling to maintain support – and for even loyal Wallabies supporters, it’s becoming harder to keep the faith.
The ARU and Deans have tinkered at the margins over the past six seasons and there has been no genuine progress in the key metrics for measuring success – for-and-against record, game day crowds, ARU finances and silverware in the ARU cupboard.
As the saying goes, ‘if nothing changes, then nothing will change’. It’s a real folly, simply hoping that if we just keep persevering then surely the luck will change. So now is the time for meaningful change and that change can’t be deferred, can’t be avoided and is overdue.
There are some great lessons to be learnt from the Lions, the All Blacks and Springboks. Do we really have to think back to the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and the problems with the Wallabies set-piece? They were never fixed and sure did come to the fore last night against the Lions.
Let’s all hope the ARU brains-trust is ready to make some tough decisions that will give Australian rugby a platform for future success measured by growing support, enthusiastic fans, positive game reviews, entertaining and exciting rugby. If all that eventuates the silverware will be back in the ARU showcase.
But above all else, create an organisation that enables the Wallabies to be genuinely competitive, show what running rugby can bring to the game and give rugby fans all over the world a reason to talk in glowing terms about how the Wallabies play the game.
Over to you, Mr. Pulver.
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.