The ARU reported a surplus of $3.7 mio for the end of 2016. Surely if the Force have now got Forrest stepping up at the final hour ( where has he been all these years ), if the Rebels present a fully funded deal for the next 3 years courtesy of the VIC gov funding ( sponsorship , whatever ) then surely the ARU ( or a new governance structure ) can get behind the game and make it function financially. The idea on this thread we are better off taking it all back to club rugby, or having some fanciful comp with pacific island teams in it ( whos going to fund that if there isnt any money, because they have far less than we do ?? ) does not serve the need to have a competitive professional structure between club and test level. Sending players into tests from a pumped up club comp against truly professional and well funded test teams would surely sign the end of rugby here. Whether we like it or not the game is professional and seemingly doing quite well every where else in the world, so it is only natural that our best talent would be on the next plane out of here, and without those players staying in teh system or the new breed coming through, what are FOX paying for.. ? Their financial input would be zilch.
I thought that the Lions v Crusaders sell out crowd of 63,000 showed that if you have competitive sides playing high quality rugby you will get the interest. Its not impossible for the tahs and reds to get back to 20k a game, nor is it impossible for the other 3 to lift their performances from average crowds of 8-10k each week to mid teens.
We need a solution to make the super rugby format work in some way. we need 5 teams , and they all need to present a viable funding model for the next 3 years or they're gone, that includes the Waratahs, Reds and Brumbies as well. No one should be safe from scrutiny. The game in Australia is not dead, and the professional level needs to win back the hearts and minds of the codes loyal supporters. I for one want to support the tahs and go watch their games, but they need to earn my trust again with strong and committed performances. They dont have to win every week, they just need to show me that they can win.. then I'll be there every week win or lose.