Wallabies v Springboks
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All good, showing up now. (All on mobile)
Very easy to upload.Saw another angle and there are plenty of other aussie players standing around in the background, looks to be mainly PI players from the Aussies. Pretty sure that is Quade on the far left. Is the non praying Bok Morne Steyn?
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@nostrildamus said in Wallabies v Springboks:
If you look at the background it becomes crystal clear the players are actually on their knees praying for a bigger crowd.
The entire top section of the stand was empty which is a disgrace. International footy in a brilliant stadium.
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@antipodean said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@nostrildamus said in Wallabies v Springboks:
If you look at the background it becomes crystal clear the players are actually on their knees praying for a bigger crowd.
The entire top section of the stand was empty which is a disgrace. International footy in a brilliant stadium.
In a state where stupidity has trashed a franchise, in a country where the national team got walloped twice in the last month, on a day where it pissed rain for two hours leading up.
The last factor would have wiped out about 5000 walk up tickets. The First two account for the other 20000.
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- @NTA said in Wallabies v Springboks:
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The entire top section of the stand was empty which is a disgrace. International footy in a brilliant stadium.
In a state where stupidity has trashed a franchise, in a country where the national team got walloped twice in the last month, on a day where it pissed rain for two hours leading up.
The last factor would have wiped out about 5000 walk up tickets. The First two account for the other 20000.*
Quite so, 30,000 turned up at Suncorp.
No matter where the debates meander on why the players do as they do and fail as they fail, who is the right coach, what is wrong with this coach or that, the referee is a dunce and so on, this is what is happening continuously, the inevitable erosion and contraction of a once valuable institution which is a central part of community life.
You cannot imagine the deep disappointment and sense of loss one feels after a lifetime involvement, from mid teens, witnessing the decline of Australian rugby.
When my son started playing our Catholic parish school was putting 120 juniors on the field every weekend, supported by the effort of more parents than one could count - Eastwood's future grand final winners brought along by ordinary fathers from subbies and lower grades all the way through to champions such as John Ballesty, John Cootes, Mick Mathers and Dennis Tutty. In the '80s we had up to a dozen junior clubs in the district and now there are six.
I saw the discussion here on Brett Papworth's criticisms of the ARU and stayed out of it. It was clear no-one knew that he, a former local junior, has served as Eastwood president forever, who speaks with the universal support of my peers from those days who did well enough to now be substantial financial sponsors.
Younger men hearing older hands speak of what they have experienced have little patience to listen and swiftly turn to the dismissive pejoratives of "rose coloured glasses" and "pre-professionalism amateur day ignorant old men". That amuses me greatly - the Eastwood district then and now is the domain of high net worth individuals running their own shows, typically Irish Catholic and Lebanese successful businessmen who pour time and money and knowledge and achievement into their community without hesitation. We reached a point back then at which we had to slow down our fund raising program - we had been so successful that we were putting our various sporting club tax and corporate exemptions at risk.
Rugby used be run by amateurs and they managed to steer the thing pretty well through the glory days, certainly with more effectiveness borne of passion and determination to leave it in good shape when they moved on than is evident now. Rugby eventually became a profitable business, the opportunists spotted the income flow, and the professional managers came in and fixed it.
In as brief terms as I can manage - the opportunity lost came after the '03 World Cup, which netted the ARU $42m.When John O'Neill returned in December 2006 there was just $3 million left. Simultaneously Andrew Demetriou was launching the wealthy AFL into western Sydney, jostling for position with a similarly cashed up FFA and NRL. The ARU fiddled around for a bit and did nothing, then acted as a delusional gambler on a losing streak by throwing big money at a half dozen or so individuals - ex League and fast tracked wunderkind - believing their presence alone was enough to counter the other codes. That idea worked a little bit for a little while and now we are left with nothing enduring.
If we had formed a ten year plan when the money was there in 2004 - like Eddie McGuire and Mick Malthouse did with Collingwood, like the All Blacks did under Sir Graham - focusing on the existing network of Club rugby, with a modest form of NRC we would be profiting from it now.
Back to the start and NTA's pen picture of Suncorp on Saturday - from the very beginning of Super Rugby the reliable barometer has been Waratah rugby, where the money and the numbers of people are concentrated. When they win the ordinary supporters and the corporate supporters literally pour through the gates, it's the place to be seen. When they are losing the ground is like a mausoleum. Sports business is too fragile an environment to entrust the future of the game to fools.
- @NTA said in Wallabies v Springboks:
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@Mick-Gold-Coast-QLD said in Wallabies v Springboks:
Back to the start and NTA's pen picture of Suncorp on Saturday - from the very beginning of Super Rugby the reliable barometer has been Waratah rugby, where the money and the numbers of people are concentrated. When they win the ordinary supporters and the corporate supporters literally pour through the gates, it's the place to be seen. When they are losing the ground is like a mausoleum. Sports business is too fragile an environment to entrust the future of the game to fools.
Actually Mick, even this no longer holds true IMHO.
A bit over a decade ago, the Tahs could draw an early-season crowd north of 30k even when they lost the odd one at home, because they were playing attractive rugby. After the mid-season slump, they would dwindle.
Then in 2014 the people started to come back ONLY at the end of the season, culminating in a semifinal crowd of nearly 39k for the semifinal against the Ponies, then around 62k for the final. That is a record that is unlikely to be broken any time soon, as not many grounds in the competition hold over 60k.
First few rounds of 2015, the crowd numbers were back below 25k. Why? This was a successful team. It was the defending premier. Even for the first game against the Force (which they lost due to a lack of brains) the crowd was somewhere below 20k from memory.
Of course, it was a beautiful summer Sunday, and the rah-rah crowd probably had somewhere to be. Down the beach I suppose? Watching Foxtel from their delightfully appointed balcony in Vaucluse?
Could be the ticket prices too. One month's Foxtel subscription to get a decent seat in a shabby stadium showing its age, with poor service and facilities.
The point is, success is no longer tied to attendance or participation in Australian rugby, even in Waratahs land.
Despite this, no matter which game I attend, there will be some elbow patched yuppie sitting within earshot of me (quite a wide area; I can be loud) who will look disapprovingly in my direction when I yell and scream and support my team. It interrupts the networking opportunities, don't y'know...
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@akan004 said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@Kirwan said in Wallabies v Springboks:
Looks like a couple of atheists standing out back waiting for the nonsense to finish
No offence but you sound like an arrogant .....
You've been absent for some cracking threads on religion in Off Topic!
Come and join the fun next time, it'd be great to have at least one person defend it...
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@No-Quarter said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@akan004 said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@Kirwan said in Wallabies v Springboks:
Looks like a couple of atheists standing out back waiting for the nonsense to finish
No offence but you sound like an arrogant .....
You've been absent for some cracking threads on religion in Off Topic!
Come and join the fun next time, it'd be great to have at least one person defend it...
Apparently it's arrogant to not believe in the Easter Bunny.
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@NTA said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@Mick-Gold-Coast-QLD said in Wallabies v Springboks:
Back to the start and NTA's pen picture of Suncorp on Saturday - from the very beginning of Super Rugby the reliable barometer has been Waratah rugby, where the money and the numbers of people are concentrated. When they win the ordinary supporters and the corporate supporters literally pour through the gates, it's the place to be seen. When they are losing the ground is like a mausoleum. Sports business is too fragile an environment to entrust the future of the game to fools.
Actually Mick, even this no longer holds true IMHO.
A bit over a decade ago, the Tahs could draw an early-season crowd north of 30k even when they lost the odd one at home, because they were playing attractive rugby. After the mid-season slump, they would dwindle.
Then in 2014 the people started to come back ONLY at the end of the season, culminating in a semifinal crowd of nearly 39k for the semifinal against the Ponies, then around 62k for the final. That is a record that is unlikely to be broken any time soon, as not many grounds in the competition hold over 60k.
First few rounds of 2015, the crowd numbers were back below 25k. Why? This was a successful team. It was the defending premier. Even for the first game against the Force (which they lost due to a lack of brains) the crowd was somewhere below 20k from memory.
Of course, it was a beautiful summer Sunday, and the rah-rah crowd probably had somewhere to be. Down the beach I suppose? Watching Foxtel from their delightfully appointed balcony in Vaucluse?
Could be the ticket prices too. One month's Foxtel subscription to get a decent seat in a shabby stadium showing its age, with poor service and facilities.
The point is, success is no longer tied to attendance or participation in Australian rugby, even in Waratahs land.
Despite this, no matter which game I attend, there will be some elbow patched yuppie sitting within earshot of me (quite a wide area; I can be loud) who will look disapprovingly in my direction when I yell and scream and support my team. It interrupts the networking opportunities, don't y'know...
I wonder if the ARU shouldn't just take a few leaves out of the successful sports in Aus
The big bash and afl pitch for families and inclusion. They're incredibly successful
The AFL saturate their coverage with slow mos of the kiddies running around at halftime. Mums must love that shitMake rugby synonymous with families. Have ads with folau etal with kids and participation to the fore.
League has it's bogan misbehaving niche. Soccer has it's tribal niche. Tap into the family niche - it's wildly successful in big bash, the adult rugby supporters are solidified so make the game accessible and about the families. Promote positivity.
Or am I dreaming?
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It looks like they're doing things. The women's 7s rugby in particular is taking off. Was at Rams v Spirit on Saturday and they were running a tournament there.
In any case, its early days but hopefully that takes off. A televised product is essential, even if it is a double-edged sword.
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@Kirwan said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@No-Quarter said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@akan004 said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@Kirwan said in Wallabies v Springboks:
Looks like a couple of atheists standing out back waiting for the nonsense to finish
No offence but you sound like an arrogant .....
You've been absent for some cracking threads on religion in Off Topic!
Come and join the fun next time, it'd be great to have at least one person defend it...
Apparently it's arrogant to not believe in the Easter Bunny.
I hope they've all written their letters to Santa, Christmas isn't far off.
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@Mick-Gold-Coast-QLD said in Wallabies v Springboks:
Back to the start and NTA's pen picture of Suncorp on Saturday - from the very beginning of Super Rugby the reliable barometer has been Waratah rugby, where the money and the numbers of people are concentrated. When they win the ordinary supporters and the corporate supporters literally pour through the gates, it's the place to be seen. When they are losing the ground is like a mausoleum.
I've witnessed that happen to the Brumbies and Reds.
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@Kirwan said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@No-Quarter said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@akan004 said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@Kirwan said in Wallabies v Springboks:
Looks like a couple of atheists standing out back waiting for the nonsense to finish
No offence but you sound like an arrogant .....
You've been absent for some cracking threads on religion in Off Topic!
Come and join the fun next time, it'd be great to have at least one person defend it...
Apparently it's arrogant to not believe in the Easter Bunny.
Im not sure i get where you are coming from. Why would anyone not believe in the easter bunny? Who else delivers the Chocolate eggs? What about those paw prints and nibbles carrots? Next you will suggest Santa doesn't actually fly around the world on xmas eve.
Oh i get it, you are creating a diversion to through people off the scent so they don't discover the secret chocolate burrow.
What were we talking about again? oh yeah rugby. One thing i think would make a huge difference to rugby in Australia is more free to air coverage. There is fuck all. The odd premier grade game on a saturday arvo on ABC and the odd Super rugby game replay on a sunday morning on One. The only thing near prime time are the tests.
Will be interesting to see which Bok team shows up next week. They really looked toothless on attack in this game and were kicking it away with 5 mins to go down by 6.
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@pukunui said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@Kirwan said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@No-Quarter said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@akan004 said in Wallabies v Springboks:
@Kirwan said in Wallabies v Springboks:
Looks like a couple of atheists standing out back waiting for the nonsense to finish
No offence but you sound like an arrogant .....
You've been absent for some cracking threads on religion in Off Topic!
Come and join the fun next time, it'd be great to have at least one person defend it...
Apparently it's arrogant to not believe in the Easter Bunny.
Im not sure i get where you are coming from. Why would anyone not believe in the easter bunny? Who else delivers the Chocolate eggs? What about those paw prints and nibbles carrots? Next you will suggest Santa doesn't actually fly around the world on xmas eve.
Oh i get it, you are creating a diversion to through people off the scent so they don't discover the secret chocolate burrow.
What were we talking about again? oh yeah rugby. One thing i think would make a huge difference to rugby in Australia is more free to air coverage. There is fuck all. The odd premier grade game on a saturday arvo on ABC and the odd Super rugby game replay on a sunday morning on One. The only thing near prime time are the tests.
Will be interesting to see which Bok team shows up next week. They really looked toothless on attack in this game and were kicking it away with 5 mins to go down by 6.
The Boks have looked toothless on attack for the best part of a decade now. It's their D that has kept them in games.
I'm expecting it to be close at the 60 minute mark, but the ABs to pull away and win by 20+.
