BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
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You have made some interesting comments.Hangers on and socialites are the people who attend school rugby matches to be seen, to network etc. Nothing wrong with that, but AFL serves that purpose better then rugby league. IMO there are more hangers on and socialites then rugby union players.
Rugby Unions popularity in australia continues to fade, but in the big scheme of rugby, I dont think world rugby gives a shit.
There is too much water under the bridge and differences now for the too codes to merge, even though it would make sense from a business point of view. The differences are far far larger then those of the different Victorian / australian football leagues I have read about on this site.
Keep in mind, rugby union and rugby league didn't have to split, if rugby union allowed the northern clubs to pay there players. Despite the obvious advantages of both codes sticking together and pooling there resources for the betterment of one rugby football code they have actively gone the other way through- out there history, from france in the 1950s, to the issues SA league has today. There is example after example of mostly ru trying to eliminate league completely (not through fair market popularity means, just through skullduggery and corruption)
If RU & RL regd. male contact nos. continue to decline, I think the historic enmity will be overlooked by their respective authorities in Aust. -& some type of agreement or merger will occur, to ensure their survival & prosperity. It would be a win-win for both.
Do you think the AVERAGE RU & RL fan is really that interested/concerned about their historic rivalry/ "skullduggery"?
Surely, for the average fan, their main concern is that their preferred version of the game is able to prosper. A compromise would be reached (elite domestic comp prof. RL played solely in Aust.; & Aust. elite prof. RU played solely against other countries).
How much more would their regd. male contact nos. need to drop - before some sort of merger/compromise/"united front" is seriously considered by either RU or RL, or both?
RU will almost certainly be first in having to decide on this crucial issue, perhaps in 10 years+.
If the ARU becomes insolvent (which some are speculating, if Super Rugby Foxtel rights are re-negotiated down, and the collapsing ratings & crowds continue), the ARU may have no choice.
My understanding is that Super Rugby crowds are failing to attract proportionate nos.of young fans ie an ageing demo. mainly.
Survival can make the most unpalatable decisions, palatable.
Even RU media outlets, which are usually RU "boosters", are openly admitting "the game is in serious trouble"; there is "a disaffected rugby community".
http://www.rugbynews.net.au/austral...ht-people-weve-just-got-to-pick-up-the-phone/
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