Australian rugby/RA

[Strewthcobber]

I don't think we can expect ex-NZRU CEO Mark Robinson, who quit this year to join his family full time in Australia, or the new NZRU Chair David Kirk, who also lives in Australia, could possibly be aware of a very popular event in Australia.

 

[Giulia]

That's farcical Dan. The AFL and NRL have generally had their finals in the last weekend of September with the AFL being played on Saturday and NRL being on the Sunday.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but the AFL have done this since post WW2.

I would even wager a small fortune that every SANZAAR entity knew this because when they sat down to plan who plays where they would have seen what stadiums and where we're booked.

The most logical answer is NZ knew and didn't care because from their perspective it didn't matter if AFL was played at the same time due to the limited impact it would have on NZ stakeholders. This is just a continuation of how NZRU have acted over the last decade or so, acting in their best interests. Which is fine, but let's not pretend it's something else when it's not the case.

AFL Grand Final is last Saturday of September though occasionally first Saturday of October most recently 2016. They announce the date annually it's not locked in years ahead.

NRL Grand Final is Sunday before NSW's Labour Day so Sunday 30 Sep-6 Oct. This date might be locked in years ahead with Venues NSW.

 

[Dan54]

Don't think any of you realise how little planning must go into these things. F*** me during 2021 (2022) Womens WC .All Blacks played a test match in Japan, at same time as NZ women were meant to be playing a QF against USA. Japan had scheduled game for that time and some dickheads at NZR hadn't done the work out of time difference etc and so agreed ot it. There was hell to play over here, and Japan said well it was too late the game was planned for that time and so it stayed!
Mind you I thought fair enough, it was up to NZR to check it when game was discussed, and say that it wouldn't work! And bugger me that was same sport! And Japan had a team in the WC too!!

 

[Dan54]

Out of interest, who else watched Inside Rugby? Did Waugh say that RA and Argentine R were getting a cut of tv rights for ABs tour to SA next year? Or did Ian Payten just mis hear him?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Out of interest, who else watched Inside Rugby? Did Waugh say that RA and Argentine R were getting a cut of tv rights for ABs tour to SA next year? Or did Ian Payten just mis hear him?

That was reported back when the deal was announced. In order for the tour to go ahead they had to provide both RA and UAR with compensation in the form of a cut seeing as it would impact directly on their bottom lines with the nerfing of the RC.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Out of interest, who else watched Inside Rugby? Did Waugh say that RA and Argentine R were getting a cut of tv rights for ABs tour to SA next year? Or did Ian Payten just mis hear him?

NZ (and all SANZAR unions) just agreed to a 5 year broadcast deal, starting next year.

The NZ+SA tour is during the SANZAR obligation that both unions have, so the broadcast for the tour is part of the pooled resource/compensation for the loss of TRC with the other two partners

 

[Dan54]

NZ (and all SANZAR unions) just agreed to a 5 year broadcast deal, starting next year.

The NZ+SA tour is during the SANZAR obligation that both unions have, so the broadcast for the tour is part of the pooled resource/compensation for the loss of TRC with the other two partners

Yep. I hadn't read that, just what I heard Waugh say. As I said, found it interesting to listening to him (though as I said I a nerd, and watch a lot of these things). He sounds pretty sensible, very much like the cut of his jib, and not making promises etc of making things great etc. Also good to hear that RA has signed 23 of the 26 that beat our (NZ)schoolboys team last year, and they hoping to do even better with this years lot.

 

[LevitatingSocks]

The poms absolutely froth at the mouth hearing about a new opportunity to travel to Australia, so it would be a money maker beyond believe I think. Hopefully Waugh and co can cooking something up with Sweeney and sons.

nothing gets them more excited than traveling to a new place and grousing about every minute difference from the UK.

 

[Dan54]

nothing gets them more excited than traveling to a new place and grousing about every minute difference from the UK.

Waugh thought there were so many because they couldn't go to SA during covid tour so just transferred their trips to this year. Said why all the stars aligned, and so many cam and RA got more $s out of it than usual.

 

[drewprint]

Don't think any of you realise how little planning must go into these things. F*** me during 2021 (2022) Womens WC .All Blacks played a test match in Japan, at same time as NZ women were meant to be playing a QF against USA. Japan had scheduled game for that time and some dickheads at NZR hadn't done the work out of time difference etc and so agreed ot it. There was hell to play over here, and Japan said well it was too late the game was planned for that time and so it stayed!
Mind you I thought fair enough, it was up to NZR to check it when game was discussed, and say that it wouldn't work! And bugger me that was same sport! And Japan had a team in the WC too!!

And I don’t think you have any idea about how big the AFL grand final is in Australia. It’s a cultural behemoth. It’s such a well known event that a huge swathe of the country gets a dedicated public holiday for it. RA would have known about when it takes place. You are categorically wrong.

 

[Dan54]

And I don’t think you have any idea about how big the AFL grand final is in Australia. It’s a cultural behemoth. It’s such a well known event that a huge swathe of the country gets a dedicated public holiday for it. RA would have known about when it takes place. You are categorically wrong.

Mate I lived there for 23 years up to 2020, so I suspect got an idea it is. It seemed huge especially down Vic/WA way, although I not sure about NSW. Though to be honest I didn't think it really raised a huge interest in Qld unless Lions made finals.Though RA may well of known when it was on, not suggesting otherwise. Generally it was on news week of finals, and most of my mates wouldn't of known when it was, as they weren't AFL fans. although they were Aussies, I got impresion a lot knew when SoO was on and NRL finals though. But as I say I lived through 23 years and didn't know that the finals were on a particular weekend , or more still what it was. I think even a few on here not even sure with some saying it been same weekend since 2nd world war, and then
Giula posting well it wasn't always same weekend, So outside of AFL heartland,I wonder if it well know as many from there think?
"AFL Grand Final is last Saturday of September though occasionally first Saturday of October most recently 2016. They announce the date annually it's not locked in years ahead."

 

[drewprint]

Word salad. You absolutely were suggesting RA didn’t know about the clash; there is zero chance of this. Some punters in QLD maybe? Sure. The administrators of another sports code as they head into a showpiece match? No. You are wrong. Again and again.

 

[John S]

So with all that - who's blaming who here? Is it NZ or RA to "blame"?

Surely NZ as the home team get to choose their time that will suit them to get bums on seats in NZ.

 

[Ignoto]

So with all that - who's blaming who here? Is it NZ or RA to "blame"?

Surely NZ as the home team get to choose their time that will suit them to get bums on seats in NZ.

Its as if in a partnership / marriage thinking constantly of what's best for oneself will upset the other.

But playing out bums on seats, did starting the game this early in Auckland cause more people to attend the game or even watch had they done it two hours earlier or later?

 

[Dan54]

Its as if in a partnership / marriage thinking constantly of what's best for oneself will upset the other.

But playing out bums on seats, did starting the game this early in Auckland cause more people to attend the game or even watch had they done it two hours earlier or later?

Definitely better than 2 hours later, as it was second test in Auckland in a month, they really needed to make it family time to get crowd. I noticed Aus were playing day tests to this year, and had day tests for Pumas, as they not the biggest draw card.
They actually showed on tv a couple of junior teams that had attended as teams, which is a big plus. I notice going to NPC matches in the Naki, our crowds are better and get a lot more families during days etc, It gets a bit bloody cold over here at night this time of year.

 

[Dan54]

I was a little surprised to read on ROAR, that RA is cutting spending on women's game in Aus? It probably reads badly when they just made 100 odd mill of Lions tour. I know they still have to be careful and not blow money, but the risk is (and I say this about NZR too) , that Women's game is by far the biggest area of growth for the game, and I wonder if the unions shouldn't be looking at actually building up that area?

 

[Rugby110]

New to here.
I would like to commend Phil Waugh and his team for the renewed professionalism and grounded approach we are finally seeing at Rugby Australia. It has been a long road back after years of unstable leadership and inconsistent decision making, but for the first time in a while, it feels like the organisation is moving in a clear and disciplined direction.
Under Waugh’s leadership, Rugby Australia has stabilised its finances well ahead of expectations, which is no small feat given where things were only a short time ago. The board has shown restraint and accountability, cutting unnecessary spending, restructuring key departments, and rebuilding trust with sponsors and broadcasters. They have done it without losing sight of the bigger picture: growing the game and ensuring that the Wallabies, Super Rugby, and grassroots rugby all benefit from a sustainable model. What I respect most is that they have kept it real. They are not pretending there is an easy fix. They have acknowledged the sacrifices needed to rebuild the game and made some tough calls along the way. That honesty and humility have been missing for a long time.
There is still a fair way to go, but credit where it is due. This leadership group has brought financial discipline, transparency, and a sense of direction that has been sorely needed.

 

[Strewthcobber]

It’s believed the respected figure’s resignation came after RA decided that the belts needed to be tightened to secure the long-term sustainability of the game’s future.

Unsurprisingly, women’s rugby was the hardest hit when it came to RA’s cost-cutting measures.

It’s believed at least $5.5 million of savings needs to be found, but almost half of that is coming out of women’s rugby.

Is this just a "correction" from a big spend in the WC year?

 

[Adam84]

Word salad. You absolutely were suggesting RA didn’t know about the clash; there is zero chance of this. Some punters in QLD maybe? Sure. The administrators of another sports code as they head into a showpiece match? No. You are wrong. Again and again.

100% he suggested and claimed multiple times in an attempt to blame RA for the 1st time that NZRU scheduled the test match.

frankly I don’t know why he brought it up again

 

[Giulia]

Definitely better than 2 hours later, as it was second test in Auckland in a month, they really needed to make it family time to get crowd. I noticed Aus were playing day tests to this year, and had day tests for Pumas, as they not the biggest draw card.
They actually showed on tv a couple of junior teams that had attended as teams, which is a big plus. I notice going to NPC matches in the Naki, our crowds are better and get a lot more families during days etc, It gets a bit bloody cold over here at night this time of year.

Argentina games were in the afternoon to not clash with Nine Network's NRL games (second weekend still managed to clash). RA may have spun it as "better for the fans" or something along those lines.