.and here in Australia there are almost no 'pockets' where rugby dominates in terms of being the primary winter sport of support, discussion, player numbers.etc. Aerial Ping Pong has a much wider following than just Vic, its pervasive in Tas, SA, WA and the NT, and has a decent following in Qld & NSW. Loig has a very strong presence in NSW & Qld - but is also the second winter sport in NT and probably WA. Dive Ball & touch also have wide support and player bases. I dont know what % of Australian Schools have a decent rugby program but it would be tiny I reckon.
The wonder is that we are a tier 1 international team and to date have somehow managed to run 5 Super Rugby franchises - with a couple of them actually fairly competitive. Yet people continue to express wonderment that we cant get to the level of the ABs or the best of the NZ Super teams consistently.
League doing well is probably 2nd best to not being number 1. As much as we like to bemoan it, the skillsets qre similar, and players can make a transition. The Storm moved their U20s up to Queensland this year, the Reds (in Mack Mason) and Rebels U20s (with about half a dozen greater squad members I think) benefitted. And some code hoppers always make their way over from one level or another, Folau obviously the key one, but Hunt, Vuna, Hegarty, Robinson, Paia’aua, Meehan, Saffy, Lousi, Mogg and Naiyaravoro are ones that I recall since the Rebels joined.
Chuck in first world nation economy, having the best players in the country playing in the best league in the world, the regular immigration from New Zealand, South Africa and the British Isles, and it's certainly conducive to teir 1 performance
