Watching the news tonight I saw a piece on John O'Niell's ambitions post World Cup.
I wont quote what I heard, but it was something along the lines of "Fundamentaly, we want to become the biggest sporting code in Australia".
The reporter then went on to say how O'Niell had ambitions of pushing aside the AFL and NRL during winter and Union becoming this counrty's No. 1 Football Code - and gaining support equal to or greater than cricket. Again, dont quote me, but it was interesting to hear.
Most of you know Im a Leaguie and a Bronco, but i'll endevour to put my differences with Rugby Union aside and make a serious comment if I can.
Apparently, the ARU will make a $45 million profit from the WC. To me, if O'Niell is serious about what he said then I think the profit will be wasted. There is no way in the foreseeable future that Rugby Union, I presume in a domestic competition form, will challenge Rugby League for support in it's strongholds, and everyone will admit that the AFL could probably just brush such an issue off its shoulder. As for cricket, well I dont think we have any need to talk about that - enough said.
If I put a Union hat on for a moment, and had such lofty ambitions, I would put in sensible plans - focusing strictly on gradual, sustainable development. Not just jump straight into things and expect to dominate. I wouldnt look at a 5-10 year plan, but a 30, 40, 50 year plan.
I have no doubt that Australia could support a sustainable national Union comp, however, questions I would ask would be:
* I liken Union in Australia to our national Cricket team - support for the national team is great, but below that it becomes more and more woeful as we go down. Are the ARU getting too excited about the WC. Union fans in general in AUS dont have a club to support - and alot of people arent familiar with the rules and just support the Wallabies as a national team. Thats a big issue if your looking to grow. There are no clubs to support. There is club rugby, a low standard compeition, thats it. Super 12 doesnt run for long enough and there are only 3 teams in Oz. Was it just the event (WC) that generated support? Table tennis was sold out at the Olympics, but its hardly a massive sport in Oz is it? How will the ARU address this problem? Instead of starting support from the bottom up, Union in Oz has started from the top (national side) and is attempting to work its way back down - is the a killer for Union in this counrty?
* The ARU must, in my opinion, work off a base ie. The 3 S12 teams, or Sydney Club Rugby. Now from what I hear Super 12 is in danger of becoming extinct becuase of overseas teams showing little interest (can someone clarify that, I only heard it from a non-reliable source) and club Rugby is no-good. Its purely at the same standards as a local grade comp in any code of footy. How can these existing comps be utilised to make a National comp - or should I say, to start and then grow into a national comp.
* Depth. I would be concerned about the amount of depth. The AFL and NRL have no problems with depth - obviously due to the time they have existed as big comps and have grown and generated their great amounts support and participation. Does the ARU start with a National comp straight away or slowly build one, originating in Sydney and Brisbane, and put in place those long term plans.
There would be plenty of other issues also.
What are peoples thoughts of O'Niell's comments, and also about what is the right way for Rugby Union to use whatever it generates from the WC and build a better future for itself in Australia?
Minty is the Union expert in here, interested in his thoughts.
Cheers,
Hicham.
I wont quote what I heard, but it was something along the lines of "Fundamentaly, we want to become the biggest sporting code in Australia".
The reporter then went on to say how O'Niell had ambitions of pushing aside the AFL and NRL during winter and Union becoming this counrty's No. 1 Football Code - and gaining support equal to or greater than cricket. Again, dont quote me, but it was interesting to hear.
Most of you know Im a Leaguie and a Bronco, but i'll endevour to put my differences with Rugby Union aside and make a serious comment if I can.
Apparently, the ARU will make a $45 million profit from the WC. To me, if O'Niell is serious about what he said then I think the profit will be wasted. There is no way in the foreseeable future that Rugby Union, I presume in a domestic competition form, will challenge Rugby League for support in it's strongholds, and everyone will admit that the AFL could probably just brush such an issue off its shoulder. As for cricket, well I dont think we have any need to talk about that - enough said.
If I put a Union hat on for a moment, and had such lofty ambitions, I would put in sensible plans - focusing strictly on gradual, sustainable development. Not just jump straight into things and expect to dominate. I wouldnt look at a 5-10 year plan, but a 30, 40, 50 year plan.
I have no doubt that Australia could support a sustainable national Union comp, however, questions I would ask would be:
* I liken Union in Australia to our national Cricket team - support for the national team is great, but below that it becomes more and more woeful as we go down. Are the ARU getting too excited about the WC. Union fans in general in AUS dont have a club to support - and alot of people arent familiar with the rules and just support the Wallabies as a national team. Thats a big issue if your looking to grow. There are no clubs to support. There is club rugby, a low standard compeition, thats it. Super 12 doesnt run for long enough and there are only 3 teams in Oz. Was it just the event (WC) that generated support? Table tennis was sold out at the Olympics, but its hardly a massive sport in Oz is it? How will the ARU address this problem? Instead of starting support from the bottom up, Union in Oz has started from the top (national side) and is attempting to work its way back down - is the a killer for Union in this counrty?
* The ARU must, in my opinion, work off a base ie. The 3 S12 teams, or Sydney Club Rugby. Now from what I hear Super 12 is in danger of becoming extinct becuase of overseas teams showing little interest (can someone clarify that, I only heard it from a non-reliable source) and club Rugby is no-good. Its purely at the same standards as a local grade comp in any code of footy. How can these existing comps be utilised to make a National comp - or should I say, to start and then grow into a national comp.
* Depth. I would be concerned about the amount of depth. The AFL and NRL have no problems with depth - obviously due to the time they have existed as big comps and have grown and generated their great amounts support and participation. Does the ARU start with a National comp straight away or slowly build one, originating in Sydney and Brisbane, and put in place those long term plans.
There would be plenty of other issues also.
What are peoples thoughts of O'Niell's comments, and also about what is the right way for Rugby Union to use whatever it generates from the WC and build a better future for itself in Australia?
Minty is the Union expert in here, interested in his thoughts.
Cheers,
Hicham.
. Thus, Rugby Union remains number 3, simply because 4 Australian Sides get recognition and nobody has a clue who the F*Ck Gordon or Sunnyside are.
