Media alert: Australian rugby union to announce major decision on the future of rugby

[ChargerWA]

I think Bowsides rant was reasonable. As a Foxtel subscriber you pay for a hundred channels you probably never watch, but they probably account for $0.05c each of your subscription fees. If fox want to sell themselves up the river to the tune of $5 per subscriber for one stinking channel, that channel should be an extra for those who want to watch it.

I wouldn't have fox if it wasn't for the rugby, so I essentially pay $80 a month for one channel. Let the AFL pay it's own way.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Instead of complaining about what the AFL has done, wouldn't it be a better course of action for the ARU to poach the blokes/gals who set-up this broadcast deal for the AFL?

The old adage: Good managers surround themselves with good people.

Note to JON: Throw some budget funds at your HR/Recruiting department and get some of those AFL people to work on promoting rugby, pronto. Clearly they have a clue.

I think its also time the ARU looks at other lesser Rugby nations and their development efforts. The likes of the USA have been getting their development program out there quite extensively and have recently launched their 'Rugby in a Box' concept that provides schools with inexpensive Rugby kit.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Some good news it appears regarding Super Rugby. Read this from a link in the Terrorgraph. Evidently corwds are up 18% from last to just over 19,000 and viewership has climbed 34%. The derby games have unsurprisingly proved much more popular than the alternatives.

 

[RugbyReg]

Reds crowds are up. I believe all the others are down.

Rebels may be a factor in that stat too.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Well the Tahs have been playing some dire Rugby of late so their corwds would be off the boil somewhat. The Force could see more punters through their turnstiles after a couple of wins.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

But still, its encouraging to see the TV figures increase. Hopefully the Wallabies put in a good showing in the RWC (win) and that will hopefully encourage that to continue to grow as if they can keep that statistic growing come next TV negotiations it delivers a far stronger position to push for more money.

 

[Nusadan]

Would this be it after all? Grumbles scoops it...

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...ledisloe-tests-every-year-20110506-1eby0.html

Means an annual Bled test in Sydney each year next 10 years...every 2nd year either Bris or Melb...

 

[Zeno]

I can only give a big "WTF?" to this:

The deal will also end recent complaints that the ARU is Sydney-centric, because in the years when Australia have two Bledisloe Cup matches, the second will never be held in Sydney.

 

[Slim 293]

Apparently there will be a press conference today to announce there will be 3 Bledisloe tests every year from 2012...

 

[Tank]

I can only give a big "WTF?" to this:

hmm I agree Zeno. I understand the argument that games should be held in Sydney to allow for most ticket sales and don't mind so much but cannot for the life of me see how a decision (as I understand it) to hold, in the next 10 years, 10 games in Syd, 3 in Bris and 2 in Melb ends suggestions of the ARU being Sydney-centric.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Well the Tahs have been playing some dire Rugby of late so their corwds would be off the boil somewhat. The Force could see more punters through their turnstiles after a couple of wins.

Sell out crowd for the Crusaders game last week.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Sell out crowd for the Crusaders game last week.

Yeah, it was good to see. They have a good rivalry going with the Crusaders, one that brings the corwds. Long may it continue.

 

[waratahjesus]

Sell out crowd for the Crusaders game last week.

its a shame perth hasnt built a better stadium though, you need something like melbourne stat, what does it seat currently anyway?

 

[Slim 293]

According to JON the Bledisloe will be played over 3 CONSECUTIVE weeks...

Surely not?

 

[Tangawizi]

So JO'N has said the 1st Bledisloe every year will be held at Stadium Australia "The Home of the Bledisloe". I wonder if this agreement will actually last the full 10 years.

I guess it also means I 'd better snap up the priority Bledisloe ticket offer next week as the AB's won't be back in Brisbane until 2014.

On a side note - has JON been eating all the pies? He looked rather bloated in that press conference.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

its a shame perth hasnt built a better stadium though, you need something like melbourne stat, what does it seat currently anyway?

About 20,000 WJ. There is reportedly a plan to expand and improve the stadium. It's not bad though. I love the fact that we are close to the action and it's heaps better than the cavern that is Subi.

 

[Tangawizi]

I think the consecutive weeks thing is good news although it will make it tough if you're carrying a few injuries to key players.

With the Four Nations kicking off, that comp could keep ticking along with a game or 2 between South Africa and Argentina while we played out the Beldisloe tri-series.

 

[Burke's Boot]

Come on people, why is the ARU making this announcement away from their St Leonards HQ at ANZ and what was written in the Sydney papers this weekend about the Bledisloe going to Homebush for ten years due to a state government grant....

Hate to say i was right.

 

[biggsy]

Reds crowds are up. I believe all the others are down.

Rebels may be a factor in that stat too.

Because were winning, Ive had season tickets every year from ballymore to suncorp. And I could sit in my seat with no one around me. Tahs game with the 36000+ was a awesome sight,
And as per topic...
Rocky standing down from captain, deans re-signing,

 

[biggsy]

its a shame perth hasnt built a better stadium though, you need something like melbourne stat, what does it seat currently anyway?

if what the NRL are saying with a western NRL team. I reckon a joint stadium will be built, like melbourne and the gold coast size