Australian rugby woes

February 9, 2008, 7:50pm,  198 views

Australian rugby is on the edge of an abyss. The code is losing money, spectators, television viewers and players.

The cancellation of the national club championship has nearly killed the sport in Victoria and hasn’t done it any favors elsewhere.

Poor Super 14 performances have translated to the international stage and there is no end in sight. So what’s the solution?

Money would help. It’s traditionally been rugby’s strength and when rugby league was weak the code flourished. League’s revival and the growth of soccer has created pressure on multiple fronts.

Rugby needs to recapture the public imagination. A new John Eales or Mark Ella needs to be found. Big names need to be recruited from league. An Australian Super 14 team needs to fire.

And the national club championship has to be restored.