Australian Rugby's Market Share/Popularity

[DPK]

The point?

Looking back, I remain infuriated over elements of poor leadership shown by the ARU in that crucial post-2003 period. RugbyReg's thoughtful post highlighting the kind of fan/viewer high point we had then, and how IMO (perhaps not his) that key moment was wasted, stimulated my few thoughts. Obviously, I know full well that my remarks would do nothing re the current situation. But are we only supposed to comment upon today?

I do think that keeping in mind the key leadership role the ARU has in the game, and its responsibilities to all players and fans to grow and develop it through damn good leadership and policies, in not an unreasonable item to occasionally bring up, in varying ways. (Btw, I often don't think the ARU has been critically evaluated enough as an institution, and that is part of rugby's problem in Aus, by that's another story.)

Someone once told me never to worry about things you cannot change. Now, obviously I dont follow that saying to the letter but we're talking about things that happened 3-7 years ago.

Not only can we do nothing to change those decisions and events, but nobody can; they are in the past. Lets hitch up our pants and look at the opportunities ahead.

 

[RedsHappy]

As a fit with this thread, GG's article today has some interesting points to make. I don't always agree with him, but perhaps worth a read:

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ing-cutthroat-marketplace-20100728-10w44.html

This forward looking excerpt (from the link above) emphasises the opportunities presented to Aus rugby between now and the RWC:

....by good fortune, a rare window of opportunity is opening - although not by itself. It will be up to the ARU, and the Wallabies, particularly, to stick in a screwdriver and prise it open.

The window is the period between the Tri Nations series and next year's World Cup starting in September, when rugby has a chance to regain momentum on the back of high-profile competition - or, alternatively, find Australian football's Big Four has become a Big Three.

Any sudden reversal of fortune for rugby in the football wars will be driven by the performances of the Wallabies who, as a marketing tool, might be even more important to their game's prosperity than the Socceroos are for football - especially if the FFA get an Australian World Cup in 2022 to hang their hat on. But the Wallabies are only a useful asset if, a) They start winning significant games regularly, b) The ARU can this time find a way to parlay the sort of on-field success enjoyed after the 1999 World Cup victory into enduring, widespread grassroots support - this time, in the face of far greater opposition from the invasionary forces of football and AFL, and the NRL's belatedly reactive diggers....

 

[DPK]

Interesting stuff, RH. If they fuck up this awesome oppurtunity, fans will be baying for blood. By which I mean I will be baying for blood. Heads will roll.

 

[RedsHappy]

Interesting stuff, RH. If they fuck up this awesome oppurtunity, fans will be baying for blood. By which I mean I will be baying for blood. Heads will roll.

Agree DPK. The GG piece reminded me that what we have here - from August 2010 to October 2011 - really is a 'golden window' opportunity for the game in Aus, if things go positively. And, equally, probably a negative 'tipping point' for the whole game (relative to other codes) if our performances over this period fall in a heap.

 

[Rob42]

Actually that article's by Richard Hinds, who focuses more on these "big picture" type articles, especially on the AFL. No question that the ARU fumbled the post-2003 period. But he makes no mention of the Super 15 which, to harp on an earlier post, has the most "upside" for professional rugby in the next few years. Which feeds into the Wallabies - a good bit of the excitement over the Wallabies this season is directly due to the excitement from the Reds, so a strong week-to-week comp like the Super 15 will provide a strong platform for the Wallabies, both in terms of player depth and fans.

 

[RedsHappy]

Actually that article's by Richard Hinds, who focuses more on these "big picture" type articles, especially on the AFL. No question that the ARU fumbled the post-2003 period. But he makes no mention of the Super 15 which, to harp on an earlier post, has the most "upside" for professional rugby in the next few years. Which feeds into the Wallabies - a good bit of the excitement over the Wallabies this season is directly due to the excitement from the Reds, so a strong week-to-week comp like the Super 15 will provide a strong platform for the Wallabies, both in terms of player depth and fans.

Quite right re Hinds not GG R42! Apologies, I pasted this from my phone at some ungodly hour this morning in a half-daze pre-espresso, and it read like GG. Anyway, content still the same. I agree re the terrific potential offered by the S15 btw, in just the manner you suggest, and others.