The Downfall of Australian Rugby Union: A Deep Dive with Stephen Hoiles | Straight Talk Podcast

[@goodboydaz0494]

Putting the game behind a paywall nearly 20 years ago was the first mistake. A lot of people especially ex Rugby players keep talking about how there is not enough talent for 5 teams (now 4 due to Rebels getting cut). They forget that there are over 120 Australians plying their trade in Europe, Japan and America. Theres enough talent for 8 teams. Super Rugby is trash. A domestic comp is what we need but then like I said before theres no money. RA is broke. Cant put it on free tv and cant keep Aussies here in the country.

[@MRRBOKK]

Domestic comp isn’t the answer. Need competitive Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies. Force can take a lot more youth approach and get some overseas Aussies back. Make a cup competition with Japanese teams they’re in the same time zones

[@goodboydaz0494]

@@MRRBOKK Why would Japan want to join a competition with us when they have their own? NZRU give us 8mil a year as pity money. Theres no more money in either Super Rugby or a domestic league (what I want) Id just rather that then see us get pumped by NZ clubs 90% of the time.

[@glenmale1748]

Paywall killed the game!

[@stevvvvveperry]

I think we need an 8 team national competition acting as feeder teams for 1 super Rugby Franchise. That way we have a team that can legitimately challenge the kiwi teams week to week and a proper development system that would make a strong national side. In saying that, it would take someone with deep pockets and an actual vision for the game. Something ARU doesn't understand.

[@kylekutasi950]

30 years ago, not 20. we now have an entire generation that has never been exposed to the game.

[@thomasrodwell563]

All I'm hearing is put Waverly, Scots, Cranbrook, etc. matches on TV... How about putting the private schools on the back burner and bring the game to lower socio-economic areas.

[@Konformation07]

The more things change the more they stay the same. Maybe Mr. Hoiles needs to learn the origins of rugby league.

[@ianmondon9441]

Rugby used to be the main game for public schools in Edmondson Zone in South West Sydney. Liverpool, East Hills, Fairfield, Punchbowl, Hurlstone and Birrong, all played Rugby but now that has all gone. Rugby has retreated to the private schools and the talent is not there. And we’d be worse off if not for the large Pacific Island community. This is a failure on the part of the Rugby administration to support rugby in public schools over several decades and will not be fixed in the short term. Where are the likes of the Ella Brothers these days?

[@mikescudder4621]

South Africa have done this and have started to reap the rewards. Rugby was a white private school boy game. However it took the quota system to make this happen.

[@TheKinky4ever]

@@ianmondon9441 What happened where did rugby go?

[@ianmondon9441]

@@TheKinky4ever Rugby Australia failed to support and promote rugby in the wider school system. By comparison, Souths Juniors provide free uniforms and make the cost of playing junior Rugby league very cheap.. Rugby Australia should be providing funding to public schools and clubs encouraging them to take up rugby. But I fear that rugby is in a terminal state of decline as the Australian Rugby team ( the Wallaby's) is not winning, TV viewer numbers are declining which results in lower revenue which in turn results in less resources for Rugby Australia to help grow the game. Both the AFl and the NRL are growing and women's soccer, thanks to the success of the Matilda's and the very likeable team members is also doing well. I despair for the future of rugby in Australia.

[@troycrittle9809]

We live in Tamworth, my 16 year old son is 185cm, 92kg and keen as mustard to play. Can’t get a game, as the 16’s has folded. It’s not about the club, it’s about the kids.

[@falconmclenny7284]

Had a mate in warwick tell me someone robbed one of the rugby clubs and they had to shut down for the season. Dunno if it was league or union but either way, terrible for the community.

[@nealcoyte]

Rugby world wide is NOT losing followers; it's gaining. It is losing followers in Australia and this is largely because Australian Rugby shot itself in the foot. Invest in grass roots and club rugby (especially western suburbs where RA hasn't ventured), and rugby in Australia, may, I repeat, may, survive.

[@andrewgordon6179]

Played rugby , lost interest 10yrs ago got sick of tahs loosing, wallabies could tackle kick or win a wet cold

[@King_David794]

The rules are too complicated and are heavily officiated. Too much kicking . Too much stoppage. And it's boring

[@superhoriguy3164]

One of the reasons fans dont go to rugby games is its easier to to watch the games on tv now in nz sky viewership has gone up its easier to pay sky bill once a month than pay to go to games lol

[@drewbus8680]

The over policing of head knocks has killed the game for me. Should copy how the NRL police it far better.

[@RenegadeRanga]

RA has shit the bed so many times it is disgusting and embarrassing. I love the game, and seeing what the fools in RA have done makes me sick. For whatever it is worth, the only way the game can be saved is to find at least a million per state and to push hard into the big public schools. Beyond that also help the existing clubs promote themselves in all states. As to steves point about refereeing. I think 4 referees on the field and minimising the TMO would be heaps better. 2 referees each side of the play making real-time decisions. Keep the TMO reserved for minute decisions.

[@BoatyMcBoatface-ui3ng]

Rugby is boring to watch that's the biggest issue here!

[@rugbybricks]

Magic chat.

[@sliccric2266]

I prefer league these days, but the all blacks v Ireland WC quarter final was one of the best games of footy ive ever seen, across both codes. The end of that game, the Irish put together 40 odd phases of non stop rugby, every phase had 3 or 4 passes, decoy runners, inside ball, cut out passses. The all blacks defence was equally intense. That's equivalent to a team defending 40 tackles straight in league, the difference being in rugby forwards have to follow the ball at all times, they cant do a hit up and have a rest for a minute like in league..not having a go at league, i love it. I just can't understand why rugby isnt more like what we saw in that game, the potential is there if the ref decides he wants to let the game flow.

[@jdb9388]

That's cause both sides have similar styles and like throwing the ball around, they play that free flowing attacking rugby not slowing it down

[@scottnz411]

agree here, a good game of rugby is amazing, especially at international level, but week to week, the NRL is better than super rugby, and international league struggles, I like watching both, but super rugby has major issues,

[@okusfayreno8599]

U have to take into account its played at rucks feet and not 10 metres to be onside

[@PaulOSullivan-iy6kt]

Man. That was game was something else. Easily the best game I have ever seen and I highly recommend people watch the replay if you haven't seen it. It'll blow your mind

[@will_274]

Great interview. The die hards of Rugby Union will always be fans. It’s the casual fans that are turning away. Australia is a tough market. Other parts of the world are thriving. Hoiles makes some excellent points. Australian Rugby can be fixed, but it would need some great leadership.

[@MarkBourisYT]

Thanks for listening Will

[@mpwyoung]

Aaaaaaa😊aaaaa

[@mpwyoung]

1aaaaaaaaàaaaaaaqqàa😊

[@Both-Barracuda]

The hardest part about rugby in Australia is there are 2 other oval ball sports it’s competitive with in winter.

[@DarwinNorth]

​@@Both-BarracudaAnd they are far more popular

[@reubenmartin934]

Im a kiwi and this is the best interview of seen in long time ....NZR are heading in the same direction

[@MarkBourisYT]

Thanks for listening

[@Will.Flavell]

Super Rugby isn’t good anymore don’t bring in big crowds anymore tickets are expensive and South Africa withdrew from the competition this will definitely impact New Zealand Rugby Union as a lot of people prefer to watch NRL these days

[@Ian-u5q]

I’m a kiwi and rugby is on a downward spiral from the grass routes down We have two colleges that have combined just to get two teams togeather , the game itself has become so stop start it’s getting unwatchable, I’ve switched to watching the A league which is fantastic both the women’s and men’s teams , and I wish we had Aussie rules over here it’s such a great game Rugby needs to become more free flowing with less stoppages if it’s going to compete. And realistically if you anit got size and bulk don’t bother playing Rugby needs to be

[@reubenmartin934]

@@Ian-u5qrugby is dieing because the law makers of the game have created rules where referee's interpretation of the rules are deciding the games instead of the players and the tmo ls definitely ruining the game

[@MovieHeretic]

@@Ian-u5q Dude it's like you don't want to watch games stopped, to go back zillion of plays to see if there is an issue before awarding a try. Can't get enough of that, I almost switch over from a league game when that is on offer.

[@NiahTunui]

The main downfall and what sowed the seeds for its faliure is the pay to watch model that was choosen for super rugby, this also hurts nz super rugby aswell but the big difference is nz rugby is very strong in the public school system. Despite all the players lost to NRL and Northern hemisphere union, the talent in the nz super teams is still very high. Veiwership for super rugby in nz was also up 15% this year so their is still hope for us but we do need to tread carefully given whats happened to Australian union. Some people say the product is crap and i agree that alot of the games are underwhelming especially for the casual viewer who doesn't understand and therefore appreciate the technical nuances of the game. But if you watch the kiwi super rugby teams play each other, especially on a dry track, its incredibly fast expansive and skillful rugby. The one thing union has over league is the multiple dimensions and aspects within the game which in my opinion makes it far more intriguing and less repetitive than league, but league is more free flowing and simple to understand, its like chess vs checkers. Its not necessarily the game itself but the way its played, nz has always prioritiesed skill development over the power game unlike northern hemisphere rugby. Australian rugby is similar but they arent getting the talent out of the public school system like nz is, thats why the wallabies and aus SR teams struggle. Its also the ARUs neglect of its grassroots that have destroyed its game, instead they choose to give huge money to chase NRL stars instead of funding the development of young talent coming through (short term vs long term thinking).

[@MRRBOKK]

Aus rugby is strong in the grassroots and even up to Under 20s. Aus need 2-3 competitive super teams and the Force take on some younger talent. Make a cup competition with Japanese teams

[@okusfayreno8599]

Haha come on be honest all the talent is on league and that's that union cherry picks from private schools... way less talent there I would know I went to one

[@NiahTunui]

@okusfayreno8599 if anything nrl cherry picks from nz union school teams the amount of talent lost is crazy

[@clevelandwilliams5922]

For me Rugby Union & Rugby League essentially are the same with their exception in the ruck, line out & scrummage. League can learn from Union as well as Union from League. A true sports lover appreciates both codes without bashing either.

[@Eighty7AT6]

I was a kid growing up in nz when the larkham/gregan era of Australian rugby was so powerful. Its now sad to see what Australian rugby has become. I hope it becomes competitive again, because I think the southern hemisphere dies if Australia doesnt compete.

[@caintindal1671]

You also got to remember now it is not between six or seven teams to win a world cup any more it is around 12 teams that could win a world cup Outsiders being Japan Fiji Georgia these have improved, Japan is actually doing worse than what we are ever since leaving Super Rugby.

[@Eighty7AT6]

@caintindal1671 so that means Australia is doing good then? What a strange reply. With all due respect, Japan getting to where they have in the last 30 years has been a minor miracle.. And Australia has almost gone the exact opposite direction in the last 30 years.

[@caintindal1671]

@@Eighty7AT6 I agree with you but I also know it not like the past when you only had six that could win it. That I am trying to say hopefully you will see 14 good teams in the future so that means a World cup making the quarters will be good enough and it comes down knockout rugby the better team on the day rather than just a poor effort, Dont get me wrong Eddie Jones did the worse job ever and should have been fired and what he turned the Aussie side into.

[@goodboydaz0494]

@@caintindal1671 Japan isnt doing worst since theyve left lol. Their comp has gotten stronger. More players, more money and more support.

[@caintindal1671]

There competition is going well but their international team has gone down hill mate.

[@keithdevine8281]

I love shute shield but some idiot gave tv rights to ch9 so we are unable to to see it on free to air.Blame ch9 and rugby greed for the demise of rugby .

[@demisecphuket]

Couldn't agree more. I love my rugby but the Australian game is so lethargic and boring. Watching Kiwi super teams play other kiwi teams is test match level week in week out. Throw an Aussie derby or an Aussie team into the mix - unwatchable. NRL has got its product in great shape and is damn entertaining.

[@carpusbarsum]

He's really knowledgeable and well-spoken and obviously respects both codes of rugby. Good to hear.

[@Br0wnCh3]

I think the other issue I have is the game is mostly only played in private schools and clubs. I don’t understand why it was not expanded to include public schools. Also, lack of community engagement. Nobody knows s who you are if you’re not engaging enough with the community. I never knew the qld reds existed until some of the players ran a school session with several school in my community. I was grade 12. That should be happening every year to remind the community they exist. It feels like they’re being arrogant by not engaging with community. This affects the talent pool so only the average players remain. Can’t blame it on other sports when it’s been neglected for so long.

[@CryptoGypsy-]

The biggest problem with Australian rugby isn't one big problem, but many smaller problems and not enough resources to address those problems. The list of problems is vast, but just a few include grassroots development, 2nd and 3rd tier competition, coaching development, talent scouting, and keeping elite players to other codes. The dysfunctional, central Australian rugby authority is a roadblock for any type of real reform and getting Australian rugby back on track. The states that make up the federal governance body need to come together as one strong unit and stop opposing one another. Ireland is a prime example. Look at their success since doing exactly that. It all starts at the top, and reform and change is critical. As a huge Canterbury Bulldogs fan, we needed the Moore family and Hughes family legacy removed from our club to move forward into the 21st century. It's taken time, but we are finally back on track. The same needs to happen with the ARU.

[@riposter69]

Generally hate RU and its self regarding elitism. Hoiles is one of the few rugby heads who can see how the ARU can get out of the doldrums bu fruitfully coexisting with league and actually supporting each other. The reality is the game would be so much more appealing if it stopped sanctifying the scrums and the referees and treated them as just one aspect of the game.

[@poerava]

Stephen in his prime was one of those back rowers who, with a bit of speed work, could have potentially been a mid fielder. Very strong and quick. Great communicators. Fearless defender. Career cut short way too soon with injuries. A lot of us kiwis really respected Stephen as he threw his body into everything. Would have been wallabies captain if injuries didn’t happen. Cheers Stephen bruddah 🤙🏾 Cheers.

[@Burbs1976]

Any sport in Australia only survives if it’s on multiple platforms which includes free to air tv. It also helps if people know the rules. I’m pretty sure rugby players don’t know all the rules.

[@poerava]

Totally agree. If every super rugby and wallabies was put on free to air, including club and high school rugby, support will organically grow. Very quickly.

[@7eVen.si62]

Why should it be free?

[@samhutchinson1749]

It's a product issue I grew up playing rugby and both my sons play Sport Is entertainment. You compete against everything- EPL/NBA/AFL etc My boys watch NRL/AFL and have been playing rugby for 6 years We have NEVER watched a game of Super Rugby As a product, rugby is simply unwatchable. Its horrendous

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

That opinion is horrendous 😂😂 Never gonna understating if you don’t fuking watch it are you 😂 watch top 14 or premiership (the french and English comps). You’ll get it then

[@Narapoia1]

Yet it has a far, far larger global audience than NRL or AFL. Yes it competes with other codes, it's only in Aus that it seems to be struggling to the extent it is with viewers.

[@andrewharris1837]

Nrl is flourishing,highly competitive and exciting to watch with big crowds.😊union is dead

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

In aus* and across the rest of the world, union is thriving ☺️🤭

[@andrewharris1837]

@@24hr_rugby_jake haha rubbish.many clubs going bankrupt,crowds down.get real

[@polo-cx3ze]

​@@andrewharris1837crowd are growing in every single competition this year. The 3 club that bankrupt in england was due to bad management of england premiership after COVID. Everywhere else except wales, there is no money issue.

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

@@andrewharris1837 4 clubs in England. Covid destroyed them. They’re still making way more revenue than all the rugby league clubs in England, who are shrinking compared to what they were 25 years ago 😂😂 and in France the clubs are only getting bigger and bigger

[@user-mg1p]

I watched NRL AFL and union. But NRL and AFL are much more exciting than penalties deciding the outcome.

[@flyingllama2315]

Awesome interview. It is a cocktail of reasons for the fall of Aussie Union. Here are some more to add to the list: Israel Folau - They treated him poorly for having freedom of religion. That put off a few religious people. Raelene Castle - She came in with a woke agenda which the game didn’t need and that put people off too.

[@NiahTunui]

The seeds were sowen for the downfall long before but I agree those were more nails in the coffin

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

Israel folau 😂😂 got banned for being a homophobe mate. And rightly so never played again

[@flyingllama2315]

@@24hr_rugby_jake Not sure what you mean by no phone but whatever moral side you take doesn't matter. Point is he was banned and a lot of pacific Island Australians and religious fans were put off by his banning. Right or wrong, banning him added to the downward spiral of Australian Rugby making the avalanche bigger. Plus he was a decent Wallabie Player, albiet a jerk, and last time I checked the Wallabies need all the help they can get.

[@goodboydaz0494]

@@flyingllama2315 It was dying before that bro. Although it didnt help they treated the Folau case.

[@flyingllama2315]

@@goodboydaz0494 Totally agree bro. There are a lot of things Australian rugby could have done better. Folau was just another nail in a big coffin.

[@tigerwarsaw99]

As a league fan who wants to watch more Union I dont even know where to find it in Australia. Stan sport? Noone has that and noones getting it. There is a reason I know who Horan, Little and Tune are because, way back in the day, I could actually see them play. How about some free to air games on a Sunday evening or Monday night away from the AFL and League?

[@Narapoia1]

@@tigerwarsaw99 Some of the Wallabies games are on free to air I'm pretty sure, I can't point you in the right direction as I have Stan sport (purely for union) but google should confirm if this is still the case. Sometimes can be a bit of a delay to the coverage

[@tigerwarsaw99]

@@Narapoia1 thanks Nara. I wish the Super Rugby was far more accessible. Leading to the World Cup in Australia it needs to be fixed. I was at the World Cup in Japan in 2019 and it was a massive event.

[@Narapoia1]

@@tigerwarsaw99 Australia has a bit of a dream run to build back some excitement. New wallabies coach doing better than the old one so far, reduced super rugby teams so more concentrated talent, Lions tour next year, WC two years after that. Agree the broadcasting and accessibility will make a big difference at all levels. Jealous of being at the WC. My team is the Boks so would have been epic to be over there for that.

[@pcoppleman]

You see how the AFL has modeled their structure on gridiron thus their success not forgetting about grass roots. RA has focused on the Wallabies so much or on the fruit , the vine has withered due to lack of care.

[@youtubeenthussiast328]

Moved on to league myself. Just a better watch. Its rugby without all the boring shit

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

Just say you don’t understand rugby lad

[@carpusbarsum]

@@24hr_rugby_jake The dynamics of both codes are similar. Get over the gain line, kick with purpose, tackle well - have some creativity in midfield.

[@davidhicks9876]

Does a game need to be simple to be popular? NFL, Cricket?

[@confederacioncentroamerica1991]

Everyone understands it. It's just not fun to watch.

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

@@confederacioncentroamerica1991 again, 10x more popular than league lad 😂

[@lesblase3667]

After Israel Folau, I stopped watching & supporting the Wokeabies. Screw AUS rugby. It got what it asked for. May it continue to rot.

[@MW73107]

NRL didn't let him play him either

[@blairansellfraser]

The ARU is the biggest problem. The are stuck in the private school, upper class identity of Union in Australia. The ARU has given up uon pitching Union to Australia as a sport for everyone, as League and AFL has done and is content on just spending money on management and toip tier players. That mind set was always going to end with a small player pool and minimal fan loyalty.

[@sambobly]

The interviewer is ignorant beyond belief. It boggles the mind how you can just spout complete rubbish like he does. Ridiculous

[@aup10]

I generally followed both AFL and NRL through my adult life. I also used to make an effort to watch Rugby test matches, but not for about 10 years now. I can still watch rugby today, but only if nothing else is on. But I just don't enjoy watching rugby these days. It probably a combination of reasons. Firstly, Australia hasn't been competitive for many years. It doesn't matter if they win or lose, but they have to be in the contest. Secondly, the game has just lost it zing. Perhaps I just prefer watching the NRL format, as these games produce more exciting line breaks and tries. Sadly, if there is no change, I can see rugby slowly dying away in Australia. My suggestion would be to move the defensive line behind the ruck back by 5 metres. This may enable attacking teams to make plays to break the defense line and score tries.

[@jacksonwirepa2301]

Set plays and line breaks still happen all the time in rugby. It's not as frequent as league tho because in rugby you have to find ways to make that space yourself as a team. In league you're given that space which I think takes away from the game so I'm gonna disagree with your 5 Metre statement

[@robb5642]

I could fix Rugby Union in Australia. Phil Waugh cannot.

[@footyfin]

One essential step to turn it around: move RA HQ out of Sydney! Whether it goes to Canberra or Brisbane is not critical - just get it out of Sydney. Even this interview is Sydney-centric! Seriously - who gives a f$#@ about yet another (ex) Wallaby whose Dad played for Randwick!?! Get a grip lads.

[@PjRjHj]

Perth even better, as far away as domestically possible from the old boys regime

[@footyfin]

@@PjRjHj even that would be better than Sydney.

[@pezzintheshed]

Cannot underestimate the damage created by Raylene Castle's tenure 🤦

[@RenegadeRanga]

Agreed, she was almost like kiwi trojan horse to destroy the game.

[@matbrooks7678]

Gave Izzy his money ! Lol

[@DeftPol]

Silly comment. The game’s problems started in 1996 and the dye was cast then

[@matbrooks7678]

@@DeftPol didn’t know Aus rugby paid Israel Folau 10 mil in 1996. Lol

[@PowzaKa]

I was a die hard that has turned away, I have been alienated at every turn by an admin that hasn't made any attempts to engage with me as a fan and has lurched from disaster to disaster. The game is completely unpalatable on every level, from pedantic calls that completely ruin games to a culture of complete underperformance at the highest level and a lack of engagement at club level. Example over the weekend Ardi Savea played club rugby with his local team, then spent some time with them, I have seen little to no effort from the wallabies to do the same. Not to mention politics at the state level. How can you form tribalism around a team called the QLD reds if you live in Cairns and never get to see the team? Not to mention the bazaar pig headedness to force the force out of SR in place of the Rebels, who are now defunded and not taking a hand out from Twiggy Forrest when it was offered. No free to air TV for decades until last year to add. Name me a worse run organisation in the country and I will raise you the ARU.

[@jasonjudkins2056]

Totally agree, I live in Cairns as well and we have only had pre-session Super Rugby games, last one was the Reds beating the Crusaders. In Cairns it's difficult to even find a team for my son to play in, ARU force you to use their app and it tells you they're not looking. Back in my day you rocked up to the open day or even just rock up to a practice and sign up.

[@karljuhnke8882]

Union has always been about slagging off league players and supporters regarding their intelligence. The British class thing lived on in Australian Rugby Union and in an egalitarian nation that just doesn't float. Too much pretence. Enjoyed the interview. Was my first.

[@CommissionerManu]

0:48 I dunno, having played both codes, I’ve seen a lot of disrespect towards League from Union fans. Tons of elitism as well, then they turn around and wonder why the average person doesn’t care for their sport…

[@jake567100]

Yeah you see this often in rugby union forums. The idea that league fans unfairly hate rugby whilst union fans are respectful of league. It’s complete BS and it just makes Union fans seem even more insufferable. It annoys me as someone who is a fan of rugby

[@7eVen.si62]

The L in LGBTQ stands for League

[@CommissionerManu]

@@7eVen.si62 thank you for proving my point. Try not to graze your knuckles on the concrete on the way out

[@PjRjHj]

It certainly goes both ways, yet League is the victim?

[@Narapoia1]

@@CommissionerManu Come on, I get what you are saying. But that was pretty funny.

[@paulneal102]

One of the reason Leaguies have a distain for Union is the Superior Holy than thou attitude. comments like League is like checkers whereas Union is like Chess. Tell me what's so intellectual about box kicking and fat blokes waddling to a scrum . Yes I know it's the global game blah blah. WC finals are always decided by penalty's. How many tries have SA scored in there WC victories. Stephens comments were measured and insightful unlike many of the scarf wearing tossers in the hierarchy .

[@PjRjHj]

I never interpreted that analogy as intellectual posturing from Rugby Union. I always saw it as a neutral analogy to describe the differences in the laws of the two codes, not an attack of ones intelligence. Rugby Union's laws ARE more complex than Leagues, so much so, they are byzantine. It was even discussed in the interview, where too often nobody but the referee knows what foul has been committed. Rugby League evolved away from Union as they were reliant on the gate sales. The Laws were streamlined, changed, players numbers dropped to 13, the much earlier influence of shaping the product for TV etc. Like Checkers, Rugby League is a Simpler game, That does not at all suggest League is an Easier game. Just like the beauty of Soccer is its simplicity, while it's obscenely difficult to reach the level needed to play in a top tier league or for your nation

[@blakedickenson2394]

Couldn’t agree more mate. All the people I know that talk about this issue ( Aussie Rugby Dying ) are some of the most stuck up pricks I know. Basically every Union fan I’ve met carry on about it being “bogan” and only “unintelligent” people follow it. In Australia, if you act like a stuck up cu*t, people turn off you very quickly, it’s just the culture here. And I have no doubt that Union and its fanbases ( holy than thou ) attitude has contributed to its demise here in Oz.

[@beatlesnut2947]

No. It’s boring. Too many rules and stops in play. Gets its arse kicked by NRL and AFL.

[@mickmccauley8500]

Great interview. I've always believed that Super rugby was the problem. Thinking back to how it was before Super. We used to play Club comp then State comp then Wallabies tour, in that order. As a kid you could go to your local Club match and see a Wallaby play. Then maybe some of your Club players get selected for State, and from there they may even get into the Wallabies. It keeps the Club communities interested all the way through which helps develop kids who are interested in rugby. Lose the kids and rugby is finished. Also, I don't understand the logic in why we want to train the NZ team to beat us by playing us every week in Super rugby. We should play them at the end of the season after our State comp. Just like it used to be when we were successful

[@goodboydaz0494]

The reason why League is so popular her in Australia is because its so basic. I dont mean that in a bad way too. Its very easy to understand and pretty straightforward. You could have some guy who has never watched the game understand it by the end of the game. 5 opportunities to do something before you have to kick.

[@MarkBourisYT]

true

[@AlbyMangels-q9n]

Well said, easy to understand. Simple

[@B-tr9kz]

That's why games like Basketball and Soccer thrive. Its easy to play and easy to watch.

[@carpusbarsum]

It is simpler but how do you explain that most of the defensive structure and attacking shape in Union comes from rugby league?

[@KevinMorland-o3c]

@@carpusbarsumbecause the fields the same the balls the same the players are similar the offside rules similar. Played both and the biggest thing league taught me was the one on one defense and tackle. Rugby taught me that good ruck and mauls can stack who is in that defensive line and where they are. Rugby has room for all shapes and sizes if you’re not big enough or fast enough no room for you in league. But then no room in jerseys 1 to 5 in top level 😂rugby for a league player either. Brad thorn being the exception but then there’s always a few. Love both games

[@King_David794]

As soon as Rugby union went woke and they went broke. I'm referring to the Folau saga and rebellious against God

[@MW73107]

Folau wasn't allowed to play NRL as well

[@passingwind2461]

rebellious against God .?? actually it was the exact OPPOSITE...he quoted the BIBLE, perhaps you are unaware of the entire story ?.

[@gabdog99]

I played rugby union for school, club and state until I was in my early 20’s in around 2005. I love the game. The ARU board has blood on its hands with failures to follow financial advice to properly invest historic windfalls. Moreover, they failed to foster and adequately support the game at a youth level for the last two decades if not longer. It saddens me to say it, but it’s too late for Australian Rugby Union to recover to the levels I remember when I fell in love with the game.

[@sunshinecoastdetailing1822]

Rugby needs to embrace what makes it different which is the scrum and big blokes smashing into people, not make excuses for it, dumb it down and appease soccer mums.

[@poinky8]

Well CTE is killing all contact sports, Rugby is the first to go.

[@PjRjHj]

The gamesmanship surrounding Scrums and the resulting time wasting is one of the biggest reasons Aussie have turned off Rugby as a spectacle. Only purists who were forwards come close to enjoying that cynical rubbish. Its broadcasting kryptonite

[@Drew-d4m]

It all went south when the ARU spent their time and money going after Israel Folau on some virtual signalling quest.

[@jasonmcgaffin6249]

Im All Black fan my whole life the game is absolutely awful to watch now.The way the are rules are officiated is killing the game weekend warriors watching games in Europe isnt going to change that

[@Zakar8]

This interviewer is ignorant of the game and seems to actively dislike it. He's not much of a talent interviewing either. Hoiles is good value, but that's it.

[@MW73107]

Yes. That's really poor from a guy like Bouris. Most Aust rugby fans will have a better perspective of where both games are at, given RL is so dominant in the media, than one sided RL fan boys like Bouris who stopped following the game 30 years ago

[@rockandmeatroll]

Seems league is the prefered code in Aus.Dont think 6 nations or world cup rugby is boring on the othe side of the world

[@robertryan7204]

Understatement League dominates

[@keithonlife]

Autraliabn context doesnt fit global contect. Great iterview with Hoiles

[@MarkBourisYT]

Yep 👍

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

Just such bs. The league guy interviewer clearly trying to make things seem worse. And the rugby guy clearly a league sympathetic, like all aussie rugby fans. Honestly I’d rather Aussies just F off at this point, they’ve not been relevant for 5 years and they’ve not been missed. Union is massive in France, South Africa and Ireland. It’s holding strong in England and New Zealand. Argentina are great. Italy, Fiji are rapidly improving. And most importantly, countries like Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, chile, Germany are all getting much more players at youth level and development programmes. If union gets half big in those countries, league can say goodbye to their dreams of being relevant at all

[@johncorboy2163]

Love the passion

[@thewielloyd988]

I have no problem with Hoiles enjoying both codes but Leaguies rarely return that sentiment. Ideally we’d all be able to get behind these very similar games. The annoying thing is that Union gets so much rubbish talked about it from people who haven’t watched it for years - this includes pundits on Nine whose own network is the Union broadcaster. They say it’s slow even though the average ruck speed is quicker than in League (my League mates were very surprised when the two games were side by side at the pub recently). The evidence shows that a sport’s popularity in Australia will be greater if no one else in the world plays it. Australians find it difficult to accept that rugby is popular abroad and therefore other nations continue to get better than us at it.

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

@@thewielloyd988 it would be nice for the 2 codes to coexist but the simple fact is, they can’t. The games are too similar, they steal talent from each other. Neither code will become the gonal game it could be while the other one exists as well. They either combine the games or battle it out for the winner. It’s going to be almost impossible for league to out do union. They might win New Zealand but Europeans don’t give a damn about what sports Australia and New Zealand watch. If they crack America, that is the thing which will change it. But they won’t because ameridans don’t care about rugby much and if they do they watch union

[@colkur5007]

Maybe Union big wigs should pay MORE attention to what is happening in Australia. It provides a case study into how Rugby Union might be going worldwide if Rugby League does fix its issues outside of the NRL . The reason im saying this is Australia is very competetive sporting landscape where all the players (AFL, union, league etc) have been given equal footing to survive. Union is getting destroyed. Im saying equal footing because League in australia did not have the institutional bias of rugby union and the outright banning of it in say France, South Africa and England.

[@24hr_rugby_jake]

@@colkur5007 maybe you should pay more attention on worldwide and see it as a case study for how Australia has gone wrong)gl rugby union is growing hugely worldwide. It is getting a lot of traction in South America and mainland Europe. Again, it’s sad to lose Australia sure but no one really cares that much. They’re not a country people pay attention to. It’s like the fifa World Cup, it’s cool to have them but everyone cares about theEuropean and smith American teams. Countries don’t copy what Australia play, they care more about what England and France play. And it’s not an equal footing in Australia, it’s an institutional bias just to league, so it’s the opposite. A slight bias which has got way stronger in the last decade but the bias was always there.

[@timwilliams1335]

Well spoken Hollies. I watch a lot podcast. This is the first time I’ve watched this channel. But this was a hugely unprepared episode by the host. At least have enough respect for your guest to some research on the topic. Hollies legend, host average!

[@odysseydesignandmarketing8091]

Great interview Mark. While mismanagement over the last 20+ years has had a massive negative effect on rugby here in Australia. In my opinion the biggest threat to union is the fact the NRL and AFL are domestic competitions and a law unto themselves. They are NOT credible international games with an international body that administers or sets the rules for it. Therefore the AFL and NRL simply set policies and game framework with the sole focus of generating revenue first, and the purity of the game and purity of the competition are a very distant second. If they are even considerations at all. Some clear examples of this is the recent secretive drug program batted off by the AFL, the fact Collingwood rarely travels outside Melbourne or the fact not all teams play everyone every year. All geared towards maximising revenue, I am not sure how Rugby union can compete with that. Cheers Dylan

[@Davo-i1s]

There lies your problem supporters who watch NRL and ARL in this country couldnt give a rats how international or "pure" the game is they just want to be entertained ? The rules have been evolving to improve tleague as a spectacle since lthe codes split over 100 years ago. At the end of the day the ARU are trying to sell a game that is not as good to watch as either the NRL or ARL. The best gauge of the different codes in Australia is how much the media companies are willing to pay for the broadcasting rights. 20 years ago I would reguarly drive 160kms down to Sydney to watch the Wallabies or Super League games these days I wouldnt cross the road to watch either of them.

[@SilkySkillsUnited]

They run a domestic competition. The AFL has 11 Melbourne teams and the NRL has 9 Sydney teams. They built those foundations themselves, why wouldn't they be the ones to govern them? Is the NBA beholden to anyone other than themselves? Do they have to answer to some pretentious foreign body on how to play basketball? Union needs to get over itself. Too much bureaucracy.

[@joedennehy386]

It's been restored as we speak, Australia is winning test's and will carry on improving. League is a great game, but notcan international game, nor is Aussie rules, obviously. If Australia keep improving the Aussies will get support, because its a better game, and Aussies wish to be admired on the world stage. League and Australia rules can't offer that. Soccer can but we're not good at it. Rugby will thrive if the wallabies do better, and they are. It won't take much movement

[@MarkBourisYT]

It’s been great watching the Wallabies recently

[@garrybuckley1503]

no rugby is done in australia cant compete with league

[@olympicjbrag5913]

Australia's teamwork index (TWI) dropped....which is i think the crux of the matter. In the Super Rugby competition, Australia only had 2 teams. The ACT Brumbies were added along with the Waratahs and the Reds, which made up the core of Australian international rugby which gave you a Golden Era with WC wins and Bledisloe Cup for 5 consecutive years. Back then , Australias TWI was in the mid 90%s. Then around 2006 the Western Force joined, and 2011 the Rebels...and BANG....all the built up cohesion was lost due to watering down your pool of players and sending them all over the place to try and strengthen other franchises. Herein lies the problem. With the addition of every new provincial team, your TWI dropped and over the last decade or so its has gone down to the 50%. Australia went from a small, professional player base with more cohesion to a rugby model that has seen you drop out of the top 10.

[@Sub0x-x40]

34:00 nah its not too technical. its the fact that theres a penalty every 3 minutes and nobody really know what the penalties for. So the main player in every rugby game is the ref and hes whislte. And most games are like 15-6 scorelines with one try scoredthe rest penalties. Horrid

[@stewiegriffin2846]

This is definitely a good watch. Some thought-provoking topics and conversations. I work in rugby at amateur and professional levels. My personal belief is that super rugby was a mistake from the very start. We should have formed a national professional competition, not an international professional competition. E.g. think NRC but fully professional. 2 teams from QLD, 3 teams from NSW, 1 team from ACT. But not elevation of clubs. There could have been 3 weeks where we had a competition bye where they would pick a QLD and NSW team to play each other aka rugby union state of origin. If you didn't get picked, you would go back to state premier grade for a week. Then they could have slowly added 1 team from WA, and then slowly added 1 team from VIC, and then slowly added 1 team from the Pacific. Then added a second game to the comp bye, all stars v Pacific all stars. Eventually, all of these teams could have had a semi professional reserve grade and u21s (or u20s, doesn't matter to much). If you weren't good enough to make those sides you would play on state premier grade competitions. Sadly due to a lot of filling back pockets and looking after mates instead of what's best for the game we will never be able to get back to a super strong level. Unless we get a huge cash injection (Saudi money). Just my thoughts... adding my 2 cents

[@floodwaters8887]

8 side Australian comp, no need for Super Rugby participation

[@_peepyopee]

Existing super rugby clubs + 3 Super Rugby can still work. As a champions league of the Asia pacific. Top 4 from AU, NZ and JP qualify Super Rugby can run parallel to the domestic competitions. Best of both worlds. Increase in revenue from the Japanese participation

[@PjRjHj]

As mentioned in the interview. They have tried more than once, but the Sydney and Brisbane teams get no traction because the grassroots base it too invested in their local competition clubs which is completely understandable. Soccer in Australia has had similar issues between engaging fans while opting for A-League franchises over strong NSL legacy clubs tied to ethnic identities like South Melbourne, Marconi, or Sydney United 58

[@maxhart7907]

The short answer is - it's been mismanaged for the greater part of 25 years. Rugby Australia thought they had it made back in the early 2000s and did nothing. Everyone knows do nothing, get nothing. They basically sat there in the boardroom and let NRL take the cake... All that money that the NRL gets... a good chunk of it could have been RA's. Can it be brought back? It would have to take some radical moves... especially in securing some of the best athletes and eating some humble pie in terms of how the game is administered. Both are tall orders. Especially that second part. The question has to be asked is 25 years enough spiraling and pain?

[@PjRjHj]

They didn't do nothing, they expanded, gambling one too many times with the creation of the Melbourne Rebels to satisfy big egos. It didn't help on field that the All Blacks had put together the greatest era of all time. Wins, any wings against the All Blacks is essential to keep wider Australia watching. Instead they either got annihilated or too many close ones because Australia refused to improve their kicking game

[@emmanuelardron]

Great interview! Unfortunately SuperRugby is a bit of a non-entity in Australia now. Born and raised in Canberra, I relocated to regional Victoria in 2022. They ask you, "do you follow the footy?" "I don't like AFL, I like rugby" I say to them. Then they reply, "Oh yeah, which team? The Storm?" I don't say anything in reply but I think to myself, "they don't even know the difference between union and league down here." But this is the case for many parts of the country, even along the eastern seaboard.

[@falconmclenny7284]

We do, but we care about both rugbys so little

[@DeftPol]

@@falconmclenny7284yes, we’re all aware AFL people are proud of their obnoxiousness.

[@falconmclenny7284]

@@DeftPol it's hard up here at the top mate.

[@AlbyMangels-q9n]

Super rugby was popular when its started on both C7 & Fox. Its demise in interest followed subsequent changes to viewing

[@Sub0x-x40]

rugby is just a tough carry to watch. leagues miles better. get rid of super rugby and go al in on a club comp and change rules to encourage attacking footy

[@mrgray3608]

Interesting that the top six teams in Shute Shield are either north shore/beaches or eastern Sydney ie. the heartlands of Private Schools demographics?

[@billmoore8090]

You isolated yourselves during COVID lockdowns, and the AFL is kicking ass. Also, good points about the time wasting. The TMO and obsession with checking everything is causing issues at all levels. The rugby fan is simply frustrated with the product. Why travel and pay good money to watch a ref try to control everything. US Football (NFL and College) doesn't have to compete with anything else. Rugby competes with League and AFL.

[@cliveflanagan9014]

Funny how they never mention the Israel Folau saga, Australian rugby has never recovered from that farce. We loved watching Australia play and being in the top section of teams to then see them just disintegrate to one of the bottom teams. We never watch Australian rugby any more where as we always watched the big games. Similar experience to manly Rugby League team when they went for the pride game with uniforms I don’t think they won a game again that year and went from the top four teams. I think it was to the bottom. We just want to watch sport not political statements.

[@PjRjHj]

I'll never forget the contrasting treatment of the Manly players and the West Coast Eagles (who didn't make a Pride jersey for their women's team because there was no memo and they were focusing on an indigenous jersey) compared to the sob story and love bombing of the GWS Giants women's team player who stood down for the pride jersey game because of her Muslim faith. She rightfully exercised her rights and stood by her convictions. Yet the media and social media treated the former two like lepers

[@josiah8351]

Simple solution - wallabies need to win games consistently

[@Maxindifference]

I played premier rugby in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and NZ in the 80s and 90s. The club rugby scene was the best form of rugby with big crowds. The game sold out to corporate interests and turned its back on the grassroots rugby. It’s a dead game and for good reason and I haven’t watched a single minute of rugby in 35 years. Let it die and watch something worth watching.

[@RitchButch]

Many of the island boys in the panthers championship team they all play rugby Spenz Leniu was a very good blindside flanker never got pick for NSW Accadmy, then end up pick up by the panthers, rugby union in Sydney they look down on kids from out west,most of them dont go to private school, only option is rugby league

[@AlbyMangels-q9n]

When the Wallabies were real strong in the 80's most school leavers went and played Colts for at least a year before going into grade. Now kids go straight into grade but havent had time to develop physically and mentally but the expectation doesnt take this into account.

[@BraamBezuidenhout]

Honestly the rules will be sorted out eventually if you watch 3 games of rugby union on the same weekend you quickly figure out what rules actually matter the Aussies need to be competitive they have enough talent for 3 strong teams and the force can be the team that gets overseas players back pretty sure they’re already doing that the Brumbies are a good team the young reds team looks like it has potential the tahs have the biggest talent pool so they just have to sort out their off field shit the Wallabies play the Springboks and the all Blacks twice every year so 4 of the 10 to 12 tests a year are against the two greatest Rugby teams in history you’re always going to struggle but you can match them Australian players are great but you need to sort out that eligibility shit players like Mack Hansson end up playing for Ireland some of your best players like will Skelton can only sometimes be picked and only 3 of them Scotland are doing great and they have a player pool half the size of Aus but they use every good player available to them

[@MRRBOKK]

Super Rugby only appears stale because of the stench teams have put out there. It can be saved and I for one think Aus are turning their heads in the right direction.

[@RobertLewis-el9ub]

I really enjoyed Rugby in the 80's & 90's. Can't bring myself to watch the rubbish that is now served up. 'Elite' talent and $ only available for 3 state teams.

[@samsquared3122]

Great Insight from Steve 🇦🇺

[@ozrugbynut1729]

Aus rugby has a winning problem. Everything else is noise. Great interview but there are some fundamental issues not discussed. One is structural - the state/member system is like herding cats and commercially not cohesive to help attract big corporate dollars. Another is the Giteau law. Pick best possible 23 to win, win and we get eyeballs again.

[@jamesfaulkner8404]

I know even ex wallabies that no longer watch the game. The Pedantic law interpretations and lack of any common sense involved in tackle laws, knock down laws, contested high ball laws ect... have killed the game in Australia. No fixing of super rugby will fix anything. Our kids no longer want it, and Australia won't suffer the weakness the sport has suffered last 20 years. Ref's decide more matches than most like it or not. It's dead.

[@jimbaker7277]

No it can,t be saved. Fans want a club comp. like AFL @ NRL .Super rugby is dead @ boring to watch

[@user-mangeremountainmagpie]

It’s called grassroots rugby Australia! The Australian rugby problem is junior development! Australia has no back ground. Build an extensive supply of kids from 8 year olds to 16 year olds! Setup competitions for these kids with a development system to choose your junior rugby teams from under 12s to under 16s. Of course your under 20s or colts you already have today. There is already your basis for club rugby and your endless supply of players for your super rugby players. You will also have comps for a city country comp and your selectors will have an abundance of players waiting selections for your Wallabies team and Australia 15s.

[@SportZFan4L1fe]

Australia and New Zealand can't compete Revenue wise with the huge European Television Markets. That's why South Africa left Super Rugby. If they weren't racist Australia/NZ would partner with Japan and China to get huge Television Markets (Asia). 😂

[@mmaaka3557]

The solution is a similar format to league ! 18 teams comprising of 5 existing Aus, 1 Fiji, 1 Pacifica, 11 existing NPC NZ ! Of the NZ teams the bottom team gets automatically relegated. Having more NPC teams will spread players. MONEY should not be the main motivator. The future of the game is more paramount !

[@jeremywilliams444]

I think Stephen is missing the point just like Australian rugby is. The 80s and 90s were typified by the Wallabies playing the smartest rugby. They did this by finding space with skill, ball handling and smart manipulation of defences. They used to score tries every game that defied logic. Just smart clever rugby. They have gone away from that smart rugby. Solve that and the Wallabies will and rugby in Australia will come right. Simple really

[@TTraveller3]

Rugby is a Tier 2 sport in Australia. Club rugby is broken. Wallabies are broken. Not one Wallaby would make a World 15 team or a World 15 Seconds or Thirds team. The quality and standard of rugby is very poor.

[@jonathonwhitiora8102]

the game of rugby is marketed wrong the current model is not working as in the super rugby franchiser's system for Australia rugby and New Zealand too test rugby is ok the super rugby competition is not they need to have which I support domestic rugby professional comp in Australia first Rugby Australia need to get rid of the super rugby comp and franchise system second they as in Rugby Australia as a whole need to fix grassroots rugby the armteur and schools and club rugby level start investing in the grassroots rugby development and need to introduce rugby to the public schools not just for privates schools only both have rugby in public and private schools player bases thirdly Rugby Australia need to speard rugby into other states at the grass roots schools and club rugby level and build up numbers and strengthen the club competitions also in other states not just Queenslands New South Wales Australian Capital Territory Western Australia Territory at the moment' needs to by in other states like Victoria which rugby is currently Tasmania South Australia Northern territory build up the numbers for schools clubs create new clubs and straighten current clubs sides and comps money invested in grass roots rugby long term for men and women 15 aside it may take decades to build up it will benefit Rugby in Australia in future fourthly a national professional domestic rugby championship for AUSTRALIA at the state level have a eight state sides like in all state of origin or state of the union clashes an all out Australian affair a championship like there are 14 rounds and 7 away games and 7 home games per team each then a top 4 then the grand final that's a total average of 14 and 16 games per team a year and each rosters per teams can have Top Australian local players and Wallabies and mix it up with international players and stars from around the World as well as well as All Blacks playing in these teams to give it a Australian and International flava to the championship and will give a tribalism feel to it as well the teams are Queensland Reds New South Wales Waratahs ACT Brumbies Victoria Rebels Tasmania Jack Jumpers South Australia. Black Falcons Northern Territory Mosquitoes Western Australia Force these state side teams each run and managed both the mens and the women's and are sponsored and are independently owned by private millionaires or billonaires or investment groups independent from Rugby Australia and manage there own board cast media platforms and online internet.social media networks and fund grassroots rugby 5th Rugby Australia to run the Wallabies and Wallaroos independently from the professional domestic comp and also fund grassroots rugby NEW ZEALAND scrappe the five super rugby franchises teams of New Zealand and go back to the provinces have there own national domestic rugby championships at the provincial level which is on the same level as the state level in Australia rugby there are 27 rugby provinces teams all need to be professionally run independent from NZRFU and need to be privately own by investment groups these 27 teams are then divided into three independent national championships there are 8 teams in say the division three championship and nine teams in the division two championship ten teams in the division one NPC Championship or Bunnings Rugby Championship there automatic relaxation / promotion between the divisional championship in the first division of the Bunnings NPC Rugby Championship top New Zealand local players and All Blacks and international players from all over the globe are in these teams which can give to Wallabies playing in these teams the teams Northland Taniwha North Harbour Knights Auckland Blues Counties Manuka Steelers Waikato Cheifs King Country Rams Hawkes Bay Magpies Wellington Hurricanes Canterbury Crusaders Otago Highlanders NZRFU or New Zealand Rugby Football Union professionally runs The All Blacks at all the international test level the provinces runs themselves but both 50/50 partners to run and fund and own grassroots rugby in New Zealand THE SUPER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP a 12 team tournament like the top 6 rugby teams from the Australia national championship face off against the top 6 rugby teams from the New Zealand Bunnings NPC Rugby Championship format can be straight round ore two pool groups of .6 teams each pool a 3 Aussies 3 kiwis teams in the other pool b group of 6 teams 3 kiwis and 3 Aussies teams and so on these are just ideas

[@Eurynomos326]

Anyone who complains about how the game has changed has not been paying close enough attention. The law changes were for good reasons and mostly worked. The game is more interesting and skillful than ever. The world you are missing moslty existed because players couldn't kick as well, couldn't defend as well, and knocked the ball on every 5th pass. Now that space doesn't exist any more at the pro level. Watch amateur Rugby if you want that, or MLR. The old scrum system, aside from safety, also lead to a dozen scrum resets every game. You are just forgetting that with hindsight. The rucks took 5 times as long and the defense still didn't get in place in time. Like you are saying, the global market is doing fine. This is an Aussie problem. Don't blame it on the laws or the game changing. What you are complaining about is players being too skilled and that's just so wild to me. Pay more attention. If they can do it the USA how can you not figure out Aus. Aussies are the biggest and best sports supporters in the world. Yall have a world cup coming up, sort it out. I dont wanna hear some ex player complaining that the saffas kick too much on an international broadcast. We got too much of them prats already.

[@megaluke007]

I'm not trying to piss the die-hards off too much, but the game really has to change. Change the rules. Change the structure of the game. Even look at other sports for some influence. And before the die-hards say, "You can't do that, that's not Rugby," well, I'll remind them that a try was once worth no points, the scrum wasn't always the 3-4-1 configuration that it now is, and you could kick the ball from the ground in open play over the crossbar to score points.

[@ausmiku]

Once again we saw in the Australia vs Wales match (6th July) why nobody watches rugby any more. The penalties, which play a large part in scoring, are hardly ever explained properly by the commentary or the refs for the viewers. The organisation in charge is clueless. They must be a bunch of old farts. The refs in NRL games use the PA to explain penalty decisions clearly, making it much more entertaining.

[@blakedickenson2394]

Everyone here saying “it’s going well worldwide” are missing the point. The point is, it’s not going well in Australia. And saying “it’s popular globally” is doing absolutely nothing to help the game here at home. Since you’ve clicked on this video, it’s obvious you’re passionate about the code doing well here. Saying all these comments like “leagues shit” or “it’s a global game” is pretty much you admitting defeat in the face of a topic you actually clearly care about. You should divert that passion to bigging the game up here. World rugby is better with a good wallabies side, and we all know it

[@npfitzner]

It's not right to say that everything below Super Rugby is healthy. Premier Rugby in Sydney is shrinking. Subbies Rugby in Sydney is shrinking. Schools rugby is shrinking. Other sports are also suffering a decline.

[@roberthall8198]

I have always said only the ref knows the rules ,very distressing decisions ,getting soft Bull riding a sport as well risk and reward

[@danielbrown3383]

Not sure why Mark tried to bash rugby for an hour. In Australia league is bigger than union but globally rugby is crushing it numbers in Japan, France, England, wales, Scotland Ireland etc are massive globally rugby union is where it’s at it’s a great sport and a global sport.

[@MrDredd1966]

98% of Australian's couldn't name one Australian rugby union player!! Rugby union has become irrelevant in the Australian sporting landscape...

[@taimomatau9606]

I hardly watched rugby leauge when i was in nz.. it was all super rugby. But now being in melbourne since 2019, man ive been watching leauge alot more and its because union is poorly advertised here, its like it gets no air time compared to afl and leauge. No rivalries like nz super teams, styles of play just mundane and out dated also the lack of physicality in aussie teams.

[@tilapiadave3234]

Too late ,, go WOKE go BROKE ,, i will never attend a game or add any funds to such a disgrace of a organization. I will do all i can to bring down and influence as many as possible to never ever have anything to do with Rugby Union

[@Stephen-jx1hz]

Leave New Zealand behind. They are holding you back. Fans don’t want to see you lose, week in, week out. Rugby is a better game than league. If you cut out all the losses to foreign teams, fans will migrate back to the better game.

[@NotPoliticallyCorrect407]

If it wasn’t for all the kiwis and pacific islands living/ immigrating in/to Australia the game would be dead and buried. That goth thing that was in charge and the weak people around her were owned by pay TV . Forest for the trees. Rebels gone now the brumbies are in trouble …

[@peterhollingbery5159]

Stop the WOKE joke , get back to rugby , befoe the 90s, the Shute shield is the best comp. Get the administration out of political bull sh1t stop the woke rubbish. League is going there too.

[@meltingspoon781]

I don't think is can comeback here, Rugby League is still growing and now even Rugby Australia players are leaving to the NRL to play Rugby League

[@frasernamana778]

I was bought up nz rugby union all my life rugby Rules ruined the Game all blacks played England in weekend didn't even watch it 🤦‍♂️