'Future of Rugby' Announcement in Sydney today

[Lee Grant]

Well done Banjo Ross.

Nowhere does it say one a year for the SFS - it only mentions one Bledisloe a year at Homebush, as we already knew.

That's handy for me and some others but it doesn't help to spread the game much, does it? I'm more enthused about a three test series against Wales. I hope they also have a dirt-tracker team to have Oz A games. We should be a match for them as we were not against Samoa.

It should be a fine preparation for the following year against the Lions.

 

[Army_Gav]

Sorry gav, what are u arguing with them about? What did you raise, to who?

This is ARU operations. I asked whether the 2010 Bledisloe was at the G or Etihad, as it was undecided at that point.

I stated: That the G holds twice what Etihad does, more bums on seats, more money, better facilities, MCC, more Rugby supporters and greater viewing spectacle.

Got shot down. They might of had a change of mind, doubt it.

 

[EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7]

Great news.

This may fix my issue with Brisbane tests.

Supporters can have a beer in Surry Hills on the way down the hill to the station. People from out of town can get a hotel nearby and actually enjoy Sydney rather than stuffing around coming back from out west.

It's closer to the airport too.

Much friendly for visitors.

Plus i can almost walk home from there, which is the most important thing.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

my apologies, i read the following statement incorrectly:
“Now we can confirm that from next year the Wallabies will have two homes in Sydney,” said Mr O’Neill.
I thought it said "...two home games in sydney"

Aside form a bledisloe game, the MCG wouldn't come close to selling out for anyone else. We know however, that there won't be a bledisloe in Melbourne for at least ten years.

That aside, they didn't even sell a bledisloe out at etihad last year. there were 51,000 out of 56,0000

as much as i hate to admit it, you've got to look from the ARU perspective. Sydney and Brisbane have the best stadiums for the bledisloe. ANZ is probably desperate to get a bledisloe there each year and I suspect they will have offered the ARU a verrrry attractive deal.
The views for rugby at etihad are horrible. Fans are so far from the field. The MCG has seats even further from the action given it is a bigger field, granted the atmosphere is much better. The MCC does very little for rugby coiffers. Hardly any money spent in the MCC goes to the teams playing there.

Down here, we'll get a wales game and I hope it's played at AAMI park. As I said yesterday, I'd prefer to see a raucous 30,000 pack AAMI to 40,000 out of 55,000 in etihad, all sitting a good distance from the action.

Perth will get a wales game as will the SFS

Gold coast is getting argentina and Newcastle is getting a one off test with Scotland.

Canberra is paying the price for a pretty awful test event last year.

I'd bet in years to come, we'll see Argentina playing their tri-nations game in Melbourne.

If this announcement tells me anything, its that the ARU wants to move back to traditional rugby stadiums and fill them to the brim. Its not just about having good rugby, its having a good experience too and you just don't get that at ANZ, the Gabba, and the MCG (unless its a sell out). At the same time, they want money money money, so they are doing these longdated deals.

 

[Hawko]

For an announcement billed as "The future of Test Rugby", it is fairly insulting to anyone who isn't NSW. Two tests in Sydney each year, if we are lucky over here in WA we might get to see the Wallabies play Japan in 2018.

Mate, you should be grateful. I live in Adelaide. Post WC 2003 we've had no tests and only the sevens. Now they've taken that away to give to the gold coast schoolies.

 

[Ruggo]

Use it or lose it has to be better for Rugby. I hate seeing people bitch about the amount of rugby they get and when they get a game they don't support it.

BTW the biggest diisipointment of the last lions tour was all three games being played on ovals. I understand the reasons why but it just isn't a great way to view rugby.

 

[Army_Gav]

That aside, they didn't even sell a bledisloe out at etihad last year. there were 51,000 out of 56,0000

Down here, we'll get a wales game and I hope it's played at AAMI park. As I said yesterday, I'd prefer to see a raucous 30,000 pack AAMI to 40,000 out of 55,000 in etihad, all sitting a good distance from the action.

I'd bet in years to come, we'll see Argentina playing their tri-nations game in Melbourne.

If this announcement tells me anything, its that the ARU wants to move back to traditional rugby stadiums and fill them to the brim. Its not just about having good rugby, its having a good experience too and you just don't get that at ANZ, the Gabba, and the MCG (unless its a sell out). At the same time, they want money money money, so they are doing these longdated deals.

The matches are always advertised as sell outs, however there's always the no shows. I've been to matches that this has been the case.

The Victorian Governments have been their own worse enemy here, agreeing with Ian Collins and co, not to build a stadium that rivals Docklands or exceeds 40,000 before 2025 (when the AFL takes over).

For viewing aesthetics, I'd prefer to play a smaller drawing team at AAMI Park. However this doesn't get you future lovers of the game.

Obviously for the growth of the game, the All Blacks, Boks and England are the draw cards. Unfortunately they need to be played at oval venues in Melbourne, as this is traditionally an Aussie Rules heartland.

 

[Army_Gav]

Use it or lose it has to be better for Rugby. I hate seeing people bitch about the amount of rugby they get and when they get a game they don't support it.

BTW the biggest diisipointment of the last lions tour was all three games being played on ovals. I understand the reasons why but it just isn't a great way to view rugby.

The use of the GABBA was due to the redevelopment of Lang Park. The Olympic Stadium is the Olympic Stadium. Obviously down here, we didn't have a rectangular stadium at the time, and still don't have one required for the capacity.

 

[Ruggo]

The use of the GABBA was due to the redevelopment of Lang Park. The Olympic Stadium is the Olympic Stadium. Obviously down here, we didn't have a rectangular stadium at the time, and still don't have one required for the capacity.

That's why I said I understand the reasons.

 

[EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7]

Sorry Gav etc.

But Cricket/Aussie Rules, Olympic grounds are terrible for Rugby viewing.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Agree re the stadium agreement. Docklands is basically an AFL venue only now with the Heart, Victory, Storm and Rebels all playing out of AAMI, so what was the point in capping the size of AAMI.
then they shot themselves in the foot with a stadium which can only be expanded for big big bucks.

I'd bet we get a lions test though. Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney would be great.
I think Ireland are touring here in 2014? hopefully that gets down to Melbourne with its paddy population.

I agree on the use it lose it. Canberra has deserved their loss of games. they will maybe get midweek matches?

Adelaide, I guess the problem is the oval for big games. Maybe they'll get a mid week match as well before or after the Melbourne match on the wales tour.

I do like that tests are going to be happening on the gold coast and newcastle. growing the base somewhat.

don't let it bring you down gav. the best thing is we've got the mighty rebels here to stay. plus the world cup starts in 9 days. i will live at the east brunswick club amongst that odd kiwi contingent that frequent it.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Mate, you should be grateful. I live in Adelaide. Post WC 2003 we've had no tests and only the sevens. Now they've taken that away to give to the gold coast schoolies.

From the standpoint of a hoary old traditionalist, Hawko, an appropriate gesture of contempt for the decaffeinated version of the game. Fill the ground with legless 18-year-olds, some of whom may graduate to being legless 40-year-olds at the Hong Kong Sevens.

I do have concerns about the total neglect of rugby in Adelaide and, by extension, South Australia. An enlightened administration of our sport nationally would devote resources to building up club competitions in each of the non-rugby capitals and in the schools. I should live so long.

I should declare self-interest here. One venerable Adelaide school has installed one of my company's machines specifically for its rugby program.

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

wallabies v wales at etihad next year.

 

[Braveheart81]

I'd bet we get a lions test though. Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney would be great.

I believe the provisional dates and locations are:

Sat 22 June 1st Test Australia v British & Irish Lions Brisbane
Sat 29 June 2nd Test Australia v British & Irish Lions Melbourne
Sat 6 July 3rd Test Australia v British & Irish Lions Sydney

 

[Army_Gav]

I believe the provisional dates and locations are:

Sat 22 June 1st Test Australia v British & Irish Lions Brisbane
Sat 29 June 2nd Test Australia v British & Irish Lions Melbourne
Sat 6 July 3rd Test Australia v British & Irish Lions Sydney

Same order as in 01.

 

[Army_Gav]

wallabies v wales at etihad next year.

Presumption or do you have a source?

 

[EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7]

From the standpoint of a hoary old traditionalist, Hawko, an appropriate gesture of contempt for the decaffeinated version of the game. Fill the ground with legless 18-year-olds, some of whom may graduate to being legless 40-year-olds at the Hong Kong Sevens.

I do have concerns about the total neglect of rugby in Adelaide and, by extension, South Australia. An enlightened administration of our sport nationally would devote resources to building up club competitions in each of the non-rugby capitals and in the schools. I should live so long.

I should declare self-interest here. One venerable Adelaide school has installed one of my company's machines specifically for its rugby program.

Adelaide is a hole in the ground that should be filled. In fact i encourage teams not to go there to avoid catching 'degenerateness'

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

Presumption or do you have a source?

have a source. 100% confirmed.

 

[Slim 293]

I agree on the use it lose it. Canberra has deserved their loss of games. they will maybe get midweek matches?
.

How so?

After years of being snubbed Canberra was treated to two minnows tests with pretty decent crowds...

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

I was at the Fiji test. It was a pretty bad crowd (15,000) and a pretty quiet one too. There was basically nothing put on. it was a case of rock up, take your seat, watch in silence and then leave.
Getting back from the Stadium after the game was a lot of fun.
Impossible to get taxis.
No public transport.
The temperature was probably 3 degrees.

It's a small stadium ages from the city. with 20,000 capacity you're never going to get anyone in the top 10 there.

With Melbourne, Perth and even Gold Coast all venues for legitimate tests, Canberra has lost out. They needed 20,000 there and a lot of noise. All reports from Tim Horan to Smith and Harris were that that should be the last test in Canberra it was so bad.