Wallabies 28 vs All Blacks 49, July 31st 2010, Fourth Tri Nations Test FT

[*Axe*]

I guess the Aussies need to make some serious changes now because it is getting to the point where you pretty much have to have your WC plans in motion. So if they are going to change... they have to do it now.

[smartcooky]

Just as an aside, if anyone thinks Muliaina was offside ahead of Corey Jane's kick for his first try, here is proof that he was in fact onside.




The way Mils actually checked his stride to ensure that he didn't get ahead of Jane's kick shows what a class footballer he is.

[Sam Owen]

I didnt even bother to check if Mils was onside he and most of his team in this day and age (with the technology around) wouldnt do anything they felt would be pulled up by the TMO in the event of a try scoring oppertunity. The All Blacks are very good at taking oppertunities and turning them into 5 points.

[Olyy]

Just as an aside, if anyone thinks Muliaina was offside ahead of Corey Jane's kick for his first try, here is proof that he was in fact onside.




The way Mils actually checked his stride to ensure that he didn't get ahead of Jane's kick shows what a class footballer he is.

Aha, watching that, i bet Nonu is gutted he was one step behind Mils

[sanzar]

This match merely confirmed that Australia just don't have the depth to compete with New Zealand anymore... we can't lose players like Ione, Palu, Hynes, Cooper and now Horne and still be competitive. Even with a full compliment we'd only get the odd win. The problem is endemic; Rugby in Australia has fallen massively in terms of its market share and in public interest. 10 years ago a bledisloe cup match would sell out instantly, now you often find empty seats and the TV ratings have dropped a staggering 70% in comparison with 2004. I don't know what's happened, but the fortunes of Rugby in Australia are now well and truly on their knees and it's not going to get better any time soon.

[woodward]

As soon as Australia starts winning again which will happen with this new batch of players, the popularity will come back. Australians don't want to watch a losing team especially against New Zealand. As opposed to New Zealanders who seem to relish the opportunity to rubbish our teams, even with the remarkable form of 2010 (biggest lead in rankings since they started) it probably has had no more discussion than the disastrous 09

[Sam Owen]

Thats very sad to hear especially for a country that has some of the best players in the world and one of the best teams in the Wallabies. Those star players that are injured will be back and we all cant wait to see them back but at the same time it gives others the chance to get some test experience so its a good and bad, maybe more bad then good considering these times.

Sellout bledisloe tests and 70% drop in T.V ratings is as you say staggering. However their are some smartypants personnel over there that'll be working hard to get those numbers back up and more seats occupied. In saying all that it's the Wallabies that can really bring the people back with some entertaining and winning rugby, which is a big ask but not too big for the Wallabies.

[sanzar]

This is all from an article that appeared in the financial times over the weekend titled "Rugby's journey to hell". It showed that by the end of 2004 Rugby had a market share of 24%, approaching that of Rugby League, which covered participation, viewing numbers, attendances and general brand recognition. Unfortunately the ARU seem to have squandered this position and taken for granted the interest it developed in the wider Australian public.

Now the game seems very much to have retreated back to a lot of the old private school enclaves and the ARU is having trouble reversing the damage as Rugby League has grown more powerful and the AFL is skilfully spreading its well financed development tentacles across the Rugby heartland. If the trend continues on as it is, Rugby will get ever less of the Australian sporting pie and the quality of players available to the wallabies will continue to dwindle as all the freakishly gifted athletes continue to go to RL and AFL.

It's so bad that channel 7 hasn't even bothered to try and renew its rights deal for Wallabies matches and now 9 has bought them at bargain prices. The game needs a serious injection of cash to develop itself at all levels and to reengage the wider Australian community.