🏉 What next for Aussie Rugby? Part 2

Less politics and more passion please

Last week I wrote about how I believe Aussie Rugby needs to think long term and have the goal of winning the 2027 World Cup front of mind when selecting players and appointing coaches.

But playing the “long game” isn’t without risk as it can distract us from urgent issues like the game’s finacial state.

The 2nd most memorable moment of the 2003 World Cup

Rugby has bleed money ever since it banked a $45m profit from hosting the 2003 World Cup, and with reserves almost empty, the pandemic forced Rugby Australia to lay off 47 of it 142 full time staff as the game reported a $27.1m loss in 2020, marking a $72m decline from Rugby’s best financial year to its worst 😳😬

And while the 0-10 start against Kiwi opposition in Super Rugby Trans Tasman sucks, the short term goal of the game should be to find economic stability, and avoid getting caught up in making comparisons against our world-class neighbours.

A short term injection of cash from private equity firm Ares would ease some pain, as did a loan from World Rugby, but more is needed and I think the sale of small % of Aussie Rugby to the right party is a good idea.

But finances aside, I think there’s another big issue we need resolved, that if fixed will lead to increased levels of tribalism in the game and help boost the bottom line.

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Politics

I hate politics, which is a bit ironic coming from someone who loves living in Canberra.

And while I know they’re necessary, I’m certainly no expert.

But I believe the ongoing political battle in NSW Rugby is hurting the Waratahs and the game as a whole.

“Mr. Speaker! How on earth is that a penalty?”

From my understanding, the relationship between the Waratahs and the amateur clubs soured when the Shute Shield clubs asked the Tahs (who at the time we’re stacked with well-paid Wallabies) for some financial help, which the Tahs where unable to provide.

So the clubs more or less said “Bugger ya. We’ll do this on our own” and cut ties the “Establishment” by making the Shute Shield and their own survival the top priority, with little thought for being a pathway into the Waratahs and professional Rugby.

Shute Shields crowds were up, but is that the only way to tell if the game is healthy?

But how does that impact the situation the Tahs are in now?

Last year the NSW board chose to cut $1m in player funding, which meant lots of players would leave giving more younger players an opportunity show their stuff.

And while the board would have known that cutting player funding in Australia’s ‘most expensive city to live in‘ was a risk, I don’t think anyone expected the Tahs to struggle this much and are yet to win a game.

Obviously the cut in funding played a huge role and there is some promising talent there, but why are they so far off the pace despite having the largest playing pool to draw from?

It appears that the Brisbane clubs full supported the NRC

Coach Rob Penney has been sacked and the team’s confidence would be low, but I reckon a big part of the issue can be traced back to the lack of respect NSW showed the National Rugby Championship, as you only have to contrast NSW’s efforts against Queensland’s (who took the tournament seriously) and how they used it to develop players, with manyof the current Reds side playing together in the championship winning QLD Country side, coached by none other than Brad Thorn.

Instead, NSW Rugby chose not to support the NRC by not insisting their players participate, and refused to accommodate the tournament into their schedule (refused to play the Shute Shield earlier in the year), which would of allowed players time to recover from club duties and prepare for the tournament.

The LA Giltinis: Top of the ladder and full of Aussies

Then there’s the rise of the Major League Rugby in the US which has signed many Shute Shield stars, and the exodus will continue unless to the professional and amateur bodies of NSW Rugby work together.

Long time NSW Rugby chairman Roger Davis recently stood down with Tony Crawford taking over, and I hope the relationship can be mended soon because it’s crippling the Tahs and its the game’s most pressing issue in my opinion.

We need strong a Waratahs side to not only make Super Rugby AU more than a “2 horse race”, but to:

1. Produce Wallabies

2. Inspire young kids in Sydney/NSW to become Wallabies

3. Be the villain, as no victory tastes sweeter than one over the tweed jacket wearing team we all love to hate.

And while points 1 and 2 are obvious, I think point 3 is vital as having another strong team will help to build more rivalries, which will help build tribalism, which will then help get more dollars into the game.

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Tribalism

What is tribalism?

My definition of tribalism is when a group of people are emotional connected to the outcome of a sporting event, because the team competing represents them and what they stand for.

And I don’t know how to build tribalism in Australian Rugby, other than to have more rivalries like the current Reds-Brumbies match up, and for the clubs to do things that make people really really proud to have the team represent them.

Fans that are “tribal” buy tickets to every game, buy all the merchandise and support their team thru thick and thin.

And Rugby has some tribalism, but we need more.

Rugby seems to be going good in QLD, but for how much longer if they only have decent match whenever the Brumbies come to town and the game needs more nights like the Super AU Final.

A night full of anticipation, excitement and “Positive Rugby Energy”.

”Taniela’s on fire! Your defensive line is terrified!” (TURN THE VOLUME UP!)

Now I’m not suggesting we all become Rugby hooligans and dance with our shirts off while tipping beer on each other, but the video above can only be describe in one word… “passion”, and those scenes are something Rugby must strive for.

To be have people so proud and emotionally connected to their club and country, that their weekends revolves around the matches and are willing to travel anywhere to see them play (the video of English fans was filmed in Russia).

One idea is to have a “home of rugby”.

Twickenham: The home of English Rugby

While probably an unpopular idea, could more tests be played at Suncorp which would create consistency and a carnival-like atmosphere on Caxton St for every home test?

Or until the Sydney Football Stadium is rebuilt, as Sydneysiders have voted with their feet and said Homebush is no longer an option, as the only way to I see to create tribalism is the have more great matches in packed stadiums with plenty of pubs nearby!

But either way… less politics and more passion please!

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In coming blogs I’ll discuss other things going on in my life, but before I do, what do you think Australian Rugby should focus on fixing next?