LeCheese
Greg Davis (50)
I'm sure this is Brett Robinson's fault
Australian Rugby / RA
- Thread starter Dave Beat
- Start date
Steve_Grey
Darby Loudon (17)
Maybe they simply expand the U20s WC to 24 like the RWC, and have more and larger pools.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
They could combine both for 20 teams.
Steve_Grey
Darby Loudon (17)
Would be an elegant solution - the T2 nations then get dragged up in standard playing better teams.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Also a better comp with QFs and not the lucky loser set up they currently have.
Sword of Justice
Arch Winning (36)
Congratulations all on taking this thread to 1111 pages. We have successfully fixed all of Australian Rugby’s problems many times over and I for one look forward to continuing to fix those problems until page 2222 and so on.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
It's also the only acceptable solution if they are looking to end the Trophy. We should be looking at ways to expand the game at the junior levels not reducing them. Giving several of the emerging nations more exposure at those levels is the best way to help close the gaps leading into senior Rugby.
If the cut the Trophy but replacing it with a significantly expand JWC is a fair compromise.
Tomikin
David Codey (61)
Not a fan but watched some doco's on it, they pay a lot for some good golfers so in that sense its not bad.. but still no PGA.. Thing that will kill LIV Rugby is it's going up full against Internationals. And fan's a just patriotic. Even if we suck and our best players are elsewhere we would watch Aus vs England, over Rebels vs San Fran..
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
LIV is fine. It's done the job of rattling the cage of the PGA which haven't treated players to the level they should. There are similarities between World Series Cricket v ACB and Super League v ARL. The merge in some capacity will eventuate. LIV players have done fine at the Majors which is the thing the tragics said wouldn't happen since they play less.
I agree though it wouldn't be a draw in Rugby. Australia love Cricket but not many Cricket fans tune into the IPL and it's got good crowds. Imagine watching these with fuck all people in the stands between teams you don't care about. Rugby fans follow teams not players like the NBA.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
If the reports are right, I just can't imagine there's much of a market at all for 8 teams playing in one city over a weekend, when most of the teams and players will have no link to the spectators paying to see it. It's like the Super Round with even less relevance to anyone.
And then inevitably timezones will make watching half the games impossible etc
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Yeah its the opposite of what works in Rugby. 6 Nations is probably the pinnacle in terms of attendance, viewers and fan engagement and that works because it has 6 countries within a few time-zones of each other and natural rivalries already baked in (England v Wales, England v Ireland, England v France... etc)
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
It would essentially be Super/Magic round x14. I can kind of see the thinking. Making each round a big event in each location. And to be honest I'd watch it. But I also watch MLR and the REC etc.
It could work but it will take a lot of money to do that. And I'm not sure the pay off is enough.
From what I've read it's not looking to compete with international Rugby. Which means I can see it grouping rounds much in the way 7s does.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
We'd watch the first round and then slowly die off.
If this sort of thing worked then the 7s circuit would be bigger than it is.
If this sort of thing worked then the 7s circuit would be bigger than it is.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
I never said I think it would work long term. Just that I'd watch. If they manage to sign up a large number of the elite playing talent and were selective on where they play the rounds it may draw crowds. But it would need a lot of name recognition and promotion.
They did mention that they'll be looking to run concerts etc in conjunction.
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Yeah, I understand the event making aspect but if it rolled around once a year they might get a crowd but then the sport is forgotten for the next 11 months while all the other sports saturate the market.
WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
For the majority of the casual supporters Rugby is only a handful of Tests a year now anyway. Other sports saturate the market as is. For Rugby fans we'll still have SRP (Super Rugby Pacific). This will only actually have a chance of happening if they secure a large number of the top talent which I don't see happening.
And that's the LIV Golf parallel. It has some curiosity factor but has ultimately struggled to hold any sort of broad spectator interest.