Aussie Pro Rugby
-
@NTA said in Aussie Rugby:
@antipodean said in Aussie Rugby:
@NTA said in Aussie Rugby:
Further: Sydney Club Rugby might be enjoying a resurgence in spectator numbers, and even quality of play, but it is still a fucking basket case.
And at the expense of Super Rugby crowds.
I always wonder how much of that is a factor?
The big attendance clubs recently have been Manly and Warringah - and their fans are known for not travelling away from the Insular Peninsula. The final between the Rats and Uni in Parramatta was not a raging success despite the Rats having a decent shot (until the Uni Super Bench came on).
The northern beaches derby looks like a fucking hoot, but I don't think many of them had been to a Super Rugby match in the last decade unless it was at Brookie.
I think that's part of the problem. Club rugby with cheap tickets and cheap drinks, like-minded people out to enjoy the evening is a great afternoon. If higher standard rugby offered the same thing they'd make the effort.
What is the cause for the Brumbies tho? They're winning games - and in attractive fashion, mostly - but can't pull the numbers they did.
A fair bit of the above. The ground is a cold shithole in the middle of nowhere, the rugby of the last few years has been low risk, kick for the corner and maul. Canberra loves a winner and they're not competing at home in the finals so people aren't attending.
The problem with rugby in Australia is structural; it's not set up to reward good clubs. Penrith got booted despite having talent because the best players every season were poached.
-
The solution is a review board to work out solutions...
-
Struggling Beale on outer as Rennie names unofficial Wallabies squad
Test veteran Kurtley Beale is missing from the first squad compiled by new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and his assistants.
New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie and his assistants have sent one of Australia’s highest-profile players a clear indication of where he sits in the pecking order by leaving him out of an extended "players of national interest" squad.
While there are a number of exciting new names on the list, including Brumbies young gun Noah Lolesio, multiple sources have told the Herald that Kurtley Beale, a 92-Test veteran who has featured at three World Cup campaigns, is on the outer.
Etc
-
@NTA Mmmm "Little information has been provided as to exactly how many players feature in the most up to date PONI squad but it is understood players are aware where they stand."
A hint that it will be the Wallabrumbies? Or maybe just My Little Ponies?
-
This is getting more interesting by the day. Andrew Slack has his say.
-
-
-
@sparky said in Aussie Rugby:
Big u-turn by Dave Rennie. He said he'd walk if she got booted up.
She resigns before she gets pushed (the writing was on the wall), but Rennie stays.
Call me a cynic, but he was always going to stay. Where else was he going to go?
-
@sparky said in Aussie Rugby:
Big u-turn by Dave Rennie. He said he'd walk if she got booted up.
She resigns before she gets pushed (the writing was on the wall), but Rennie stays.
He never said he'd leave, it was just click bait news titles
-
-
-
-
News Ltd are busy throwing their weight behind Wiggs to become CEO:
Australian rugby’s most successful administrator John O’Neill has known Wiggs for 30 years and believes he should be RA’s next chair. He thinks Wiggs is the man to lead the charge in recruiting a “high calibre” CEO after Castle’s exit last Thursday.
“He is intelligent, hardworking, dedicated and fiercely determined,” O’Neill said. “Qualities that are absolutely needed in meeting RA’s challenges in this incredibly difficult time. Leadership is a foul-weather friend and I genuinely believe Peter Wiggs is the leader for this time. It’s imperative to move forward quickly, without any baggage.
“He is forensically gifted and will see through the bluff and blunder and can identify the problem and more importantly find the solution.” O’Neill, a former CEO of the Australian Rugby Union, added: “In addition to his commercial acumen he has an inarguable affection and affinity for the game of rugby.”
Wiggs has another high-profile supporter in Australian Olympic Committee CEO Matt Carroll. The pair have known each other for 42 years and played rugby together for Mosman.
“He’s very smart, very intelligent, honest and plain speaking,” Carroll said. “He enjoys his rugby and cares about the game.
“He’s not a person just fronting up for the sake of something to do, he cares about the game, he’s been a great supporter of Mosman rugby club over the years, through helping out.”
McLean has stated he will be gone “sooner rather than later” and he is currently pencilled in to exit the executive-chairman’s role by July. Many have questioned the practicalities of an interim-chair overseeing the recruitment of a new CEO, given McLean may not be there later.
One certainty is that there is a movement in full swing for Wiggs to become Rugby Australia’s next chairman.
Stuff
