Im glad Pulver is refusing to give money to the NSWRU slush fund. How many years and decades of infighting, divisions and dodgy dealings does Australian rugby have to put up with before it is stamped out? It took almost 100 years for the NSW cartel to realise rugby was played in other states and throw 10 cents to each state. Throw in all the doom and gloom journos and we can all see clear as day that for all that NSW has contributed to rugby, it is still rugby in Australias biggest problem child. When the clubs are trying to go it alone at the expense of the governing body, it shows how factional, protectionist and divided NSW really is. Qld couldn't distance themselves fast enough from the Papworth dribble. WA has always had to put up with NSW trying to hinder the Forces progress. The extra $15 million thrown at the Rebels to get started proves this. When is rugby in Australia going to unite for the common good? We have one of the best internationally played games behind soccer. Yet we can't seem to promote our game beyond the private school, landrover driving, chardonnay sippy old money brigade. We just finished 2nd in the world cup. What has this years main stories been about? The demise of rugby in Australia due to a couple old boys having a sook. Not about how we came from nowhere to be in the final, not about the unique opportunities provided by rugby, not about the young kid from the unfashionable background making it big, not about how powerful a rugby nation we actually are, not about the upcoming boom in 7s rugby, not about the volunteer overcoming adversity for the love of their club. Its been about the alleged shambles the rebuilding Wallabies are, the ever present rumour of a franchise being destroyed, the old boys brigade having a sook, the corrupt dealings of NSW rugby, the concerted effort to destabilize the NRC, the need for NSW clubs to be more important than the national effort to grow the game.
It makes me sick yo continuously read the stories of how rugby is doomed. It makes me sick to read about the stories of heavy criticism by a few out of touch journos. It makes me sick to read about the demise of one of our franchises. It makes me sick to read about mishandling of government funding by NSWRU. It makes me sick that for all the progress Australian rugby is finally making towards having a truly national presence is being white anted by vested interests.
What makes me really sick is that the thing that gets lost in all the bullshit is what a truly wonderful sport we have and how lucky we are we get to participate in it.
What makes me the most sick though is it is all coming from the one state. The one state that has always considered itself the "keeper of the game". The one state that has always held back rugby from gaining the national prominence it deserves. The one state that is once again threatening to tear apart the the best game in the world. The one state whos sense of entitlement has always keep the sport to an exclusive few.
NSW Rugby, get your shit together. For once do whats best for Australian rugby not whats best for the exclusive club of once were importants. Rugby will never get the respect and standing it deserves until you do.
