Australian Rugby / RA

[Crashy]

If you could afford to give him 12 months to purely figure it out with no judgement I genuinely think he'd be Owen Farrell by year 2.

I think we overplay how much these guys or outside Rugby give a shit about the Lions tour. A Bled might drive some interest but SOO is huge in our landscape.

It's a silly argument really. Why would he leave when he's probably earning up to 2m now with all the endorsements and benefits or crap like cars on top of his contract. There's no guarantee Adidas would continue to support him in Rugby to the same degree with bugger all popularity in Aus. 'Global game' sure but Adidas are more likely to put this money in Soccer players who dwarf anything Rugby has in Europe.

This chat will never end and we'll talk about the next start the NRL have as well.

Yes and no.
I know most mungos watch the RWC a lot closer that you think. They would love to be part of that - due to ego more than anything else. and if it was all about cashola, why wouldn't a stint in Japan appeal once they are in their mid 30s - cultural immersion for the family and a life experience. Or I guess family and friends in Penrith has appeal if thats the comfort zone.

 

[Strewthcobber]

It's a silly argument really. Why would he leave when he's probably earning up to 2m now with all the endorsements and benefits or crap like cars on top of his contract. There's no guarantee Adidas would continue to support him in Rugby to the same degree with bugger all popularity in Aus. 'Global game' sure but Adidas are more likely to put this money in Soccer players who dwarf anything Rugby has in Europe.

He will have rock solid secure future for the rest of his life out of the Panthers, and league old boy network too if he doesn't burn those bridges. The Clearys are getting to royalty stage of existence

 

[WoodysRFC]

Yes and no.
I know most mungos watch the RWC a lot closer that you think. They would love to be part of that - due to ego more than anything else. and if it was all about cashola, why wouldn't a stint in Japan appeal once they are in their mid 30s - cultural immersion for the family and a life experience. Or I guess family and friends in Penrith has appeal if thats the comfort zone.

Listening to Big Dell on the KOKO show, he spoke particularly on just how big Jonah Lomu was, both physically and metaphorically, at the time he was possibly the biggest name in either sports, and all the NRL players wanted a chance to feature in that Bledisloe and have a go at him. For whatever reason, these days rugby, particularly in this part of the world just struggle so much with marketing their star players, it's a huge part of engaging with your fan base, and adds an extra level of credibility to your sport and brand. The All Blacks as an example though, hate nothing more than a player showing some personality and rising above the "brand".

 

[WoodysRFC]

He will have rock solid secure future for the rest of his life out of the Panthers, and league old boy network too if he doesn't burn those bridges. The Clearys are getting to royalty stage of existence

Agreed, but he could make money no matter which sport he plays, or where he is. For someone like Cleary, a freak competitor, they're just as much motivated by what they can achieve in their sport. He's done it all already in League, if he stays, he'll be probably an immortal, but I could see him being motivated by the chance to feature in a World Cup, feel like he's spoken of his desire to do so in the past?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Listening to Big Dell on the KOKO show, he spoke particularly on just how big Jonah Lomu was, both physically and metaphorically, at the time he was possibly the biggest name in either sports, and all the NRL players wanted a chance to feature in that Bledisloe and have a go at him. For whatever reason, these days rugby, particularly in this part of the world just struggle so much with marketing their star players, it's a huge part of engaging with your fan base, and adds an extra level of credibility to your sport and brand. The All Blacks as an example though, hate nothing more than a player showing some personality and rising above the "brand".

When talking about Lomu he was a world super star that is 25 years ago.

Besides Dupont in France, Springboks in SA and the ABs in NZ does anyone in Rugby really capture the media or the spectators eyes? I love my Rugby but I also understand most people would recognise as many Rugby players as I would A League players in Australia these days.

Yes and no.
I know most mungos watch the RWC a lot closer that you think. They would love to be part of that - due to ego more than anything else. and if it was all about cashola, why wouldn't a stint in Japan appeal once they are in their mid 30s - cultural immersion for the family and a life experience. Or I guess family and friends in Penrith has appeal if thats the comfort zone.

They watch it because they love footy and a lot know plenty of the players as well. Just the average NRL salary would be better than most Rugby contracts around the world as well. Only a couple make huge cash playing for the Yokohama Storm Water Drains in 2nd div.

 

[Rugby Survivor]

The Wallabies need a 10 and a goal kicker. Cleary could become a global name and if Mary stays in Europe which she will as a professional footballer a very easy way for them to be together. Get some donors and pay him $2m to play for the Wallabies. The game needs superstars and we don't have any bar Sualili now. He has won four comps and still needs to dominate an origin but what else can he do in the NRL?
RWC in Oz a couple of short breaks playing in Japan or Europe he will make a lot more money and have longevity in the game without the grind of a 28 game NRL season where he is constantly targeted.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

So she's in Europe and based in Manchester. We expecting him to play for Sale Sharks? Then we'll have people saying we shouldn't waste an international pick on him.

If he played Rugby here then he spends just as much time apart from her.

Can we just ask if everyone buying overpriced Lions tickets are we happy to give up the scarves and put it towards Nathan? Rugby fans would likely say no I need this scarf in Australia so they know I got tickets. Can someone else stump up the cash please. I'll then argue about how someones else's money should have actually been used to fund a third tier that said fan will not show up to watch and then blame the big nasty SRU for an agenda.

 

[Rugby Survivor]

That is the only way to get him with outside donors footing the bill. Rugby Australia won't have the funds. Tips the media coverage on its head if Cleary comes across. Look at the attention Sualili has received and he is a shadow of what Cleary has done in the NRL.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

That is the only way to get him with outside donors footing the bill. Rugby Australia won't have the funds. Tips the media coverage on its head if Cleary comes across. Look at the attention Sualili has received and he is a shadow of what Cleary has done in the NRL.

Absolutely correct. I can just foresee the inevitable tar pit that Rugby fans get in.

NRL wouldn't let this one happen either. They'd step in like they did for Joey even if Nathan has an interest in Media post footy there would be something in place if threatened.

We'd be more likely to get Cam Munster given his body seems to be slowly on the slide but Storm did manage it to perfection. I'd love to see him have a game at 12 in Rugby. He'd be a menace and hard to bring down 1v1

 

[hoggy]

The Wallabies need a 10 and a goal kicker. Cleary could become a global name and if Mary stays in Europe which she will as a professional footballer a very easy way for them to be together. Get some donors and pay him $2m to play for the Wallabies. The game needs superstars and we don't have any bar Sualili now. He has won four comps and still needs to dominate an origin but what else can he do in the NRL?
RWC in Oz a couple of short breaks playing in Japan or Europe he will make a lot more money and have longevity in the game without the grind of a 28 game NRL season where he is constantly targeted.

That's a magnificent achievement for the game here, our only super star is Sualili, a guy that hasn't played a senior game yet and last played as a schoolboy.

 

[Derpus]

Absolutely correct. I can just foresee the inevitable tar pit that Rugby fans get in.

NRL wouldn't let this one happen either. They'd step in like they did for Joey even if Nathan has an interest in Media post footy there would be something in place if threatened.

We'd be more likely to get Cam Munster given his body seems to be slowly on the slide but Storm did manage it to perfection. I'd love to see him have a game at 12 in Rugby. He'd be a menace and hard to bring down 1v1

Munster certainly has the intelligence. He's an incredible footballer.

 

[Dctarget]

What sport do all the big boys in Adelaide/Perth/Tassie play? Is there a decent representation of WA in NRL? I'm slightly surprised we don't see more union players out of WA.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Western Australia produce a few. Tizzano most recently but Dane Haylett- Petty probably the best of recent times. I think they have a steady enough local comp but it wouldn't be at the standard to produce kids that compete with the NSW and QLD ones. Aussie Rules is obviously king and most prime athletes would be involved in that.

Most Pacific Islander kids arent suited to aussie rules but there isn't the same population as the East Coast and look at Victoria producing consistent talent from that community.

 

[Wilson]

What sport do all the big boys in Adelaide/Perth/Tassie play? Is there a decent representation of WA in NRL? I'm slightly surprised we don't see more union players out of WA.

WA is producing a few players, probably at least relative to Victoria once you consider population (Victoria has ~2.5x the population), but given a lot of players will have mixed homes as far as states are concerned so it does make it less obvious. Tassie does occasionally produce rugby players (see Adam Coleman), but the population is smaller than Newcastle, so it's going to be pretty rare to see any stand outs in what is a very minor sport there. There probably could be more out of Adelaide I guess, but I think it and Tasmania also have the issue of being non-rugby states who are next to non-rugby states, so it really is out of sight, out of mind for them, and they don't have an industry like mining bringinng in heaps of immigration from rugby mad areas like WA does (NZ, SA, etc.)

But for all those states AFL, Cricket and Basketball are going to capture the lions share of the talent, even though that's more about tall timber than generally big bodied players. Still, if a guy like Harry Wilson had grown up in Tassie he'd likely be a professional cricketer now. I do think there could be a heap of value in running talent combines in non-traditional states though, I'd wager there are a fair few players running around in the VFL or equivalent who don't have the motor or skillset to make the AFL but could be much better suited to our game. We need the stepping stones to really make that work though, without an NRC or equivalent operating at a smiliar semi-pro level to the VFL most won't be able to make the transition.

 

[JRugby2]

What sport do all the big boys in Adelaide/Perth/Tassie play? Is there a decent representation of WA in NRL? I'm slightly surprised we don't see more union players out of WA.

Hay Bale Throwing

 

[D-Box]

AFL and Basketball is where they are at in WA.

The islander boys are running around in Union and League - but we just don't have as many over here

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yep, Aussie Rules and to a lesser extent basketball are the sports for our big (tall) boys. If you're a country lad you're generally playing footy. Also cricket, because most quick bowlers are also tall lads too. We're dominant in that sport domestically right now.

Union is a much bigger sport in WA than league, so there is a reasonable talent pipeline through the school and club systems. Not to the same extent as the East, due to population differences, but it's there nonetheless.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Yep, Aussie Rules and to a lesser extent basketball are the sports for our big (tall) boys. If you're a country lad you're generally playing footy. Also cricket, because most quick bowlers are also tall lads too. We're dominant in that sport domestically right now.

Union is a much bigger sport in WA than league, so there is a reasonable talent pipeline through the school and club systems. Not to the same extent as the East, due to population differences, but it's there nonetheless.

You think an NRL side would begin a shift? That team will come into the comp, the NRL is just getting more money and more State Gov backing.

They will throw resources at them and will also have long term goals of an NRLW side no doubt.

 

[Wallaby Man]

You think an NRL side would begin a shift? That team will come into the comp, the NRL is just getting more money and more State Gov backing.

They will throw resources at them and will also have long term goals of an NRLW side no doubt.

People often peddle out statements that union bigger than league in xyz state. It just simply isn’t the case.

I work in data and literally have the figures sitting infront of me now, in fact the largest sample size in the country for such figures. The NRL is getting 1.5x the aidience rugby gets. That’s not comparing Super Rugby that’s comparing all rugby.

There is more participation but rugby often win’s participation or comes closer to it’s competitions because it has a culture of adult participation that most other sports don’t really care for.

Unfortunately there isn’t a single state where rugby trumps NRL. It’s much closer in NZ when looking at those numbers that it is in any state in this country.

I’d say if people say “but I don’t speak to anyone that follows NRL”, that’s probably just the circle you are surrounded by.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

People often peddle out statements that union bigger than league in xyz state. It just simply isn’t the case.

I work in data and literally have the figures sitting infront of me now, in fact the largest sample size in the country for such figures. The NRL is getting 1.5x the aidience rugby gets. That’s not comparing Super Rugby that’s comparing all rugby.

There is more participation but rugby often win’s participation or comes closer to it’s competitions because it has a culture of adult participation that most other sports don’t really care for.

Unfortunately there isn’t a single state where rugby trumps NRL. It’s much closer in NZ when looking at those numbers that it is in any state in this country.

I’d say if people say “but I don’t speak to anyone that follows NRL”, that’s probably just the circle you are surrounded by.

If you took out Subbies rugby from QLD and NSW and say everything from 3rd Grade down and 2nd Colts down in Prem comps in Aus, what would our playing numbers be in comparison to League?

You don't play low grade league unless you have some sort of court ordered community sentence as you will get legally assaulted every Sunday.

Rugby seems lives off gentlemens agreement scrums and 25 min halves for 4th grade subbies to spruik good player numbers. Same with 3rd and 4ths Colts. You get dropped from league sides and they don't run multiple teams.

The viewership stuff is fairly understandable since Rugby has been shoved behind a paywall for 2 decades and since having some FTA Super Rugby the Wallabies have been ass and our Super Rugby teams not legitimately in contention for the title.