Turf Wars in Australia
by Mick Cleary | 17 June 2010 (15:58)
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It’s not a natural inclination to feel sorry for the Aussies. But when you see the odds rugby union in this country has to overcome to make its mark, then you can only step back in wonder at the good job they make of it. It hardly needs me to tell you about how the soccer World Cup is dominating the sporting agenda at the moment. Well, if it’s big licks in South Africa, then that’s for obvious reasons. But its reach is everywhere. Aussie rugby union could cope with that, for the global game is indeed that and you have to take your rightful place in the grand scheme of things. Mind you, the coverage might dim a little if the Socceroos don’t get their act together after their 4-0 drubbing by Germany. Never one to miss a trick, the Aussie media responded to the set-back in typically bullish fashion, splashing on New Zealand’s surprise 1-1 with Slovakia two nights later with the Sydney Morning Herald banner headline: ‘ Australasia 1 Slovakia 1. ‘ Now, that’s chutzpah. The Kiwis were none too happy. Ah, diddums!
Yet footie is not the only sport stealing the headlines. So too is rugby league, And Aussie Rules. And tennis. And…….
Finally, down the page comes rugby, even when Australia are sticking it to the mother country. Union has to pull out all the tricks to get a look-in against the other codes. The State of Origin second rubber was front and back page news after a racist comment made by Andrew Johns. Then came the game itself, not so much a contest as a rout as Queensland wrapped up their fifth successive series victory. The most remarkable thing about watching TV coverage was just how much of a soap opera the sport is: there was the pre-game barney over ‘Joey’ Johns to be followed by huge bust-ups during the match itself. Union did away with such antics years ago ( Do we miss the biff and stoush ? Discuss ). The ref did little on the night, merely putting players on report. It seems that everything is done to make sure that fans stay tuned to the spectacle.
Union simply battles on gamely. No wonder the Aussie media operation has been one of the most proactive down the years. They know the value of column inches better than any other country. Players see it as part of their responsibility to fill that space. If they don’t, then other sports will.
That’s why the move to set up a fifth Super franchise here is to be applauded. Melbourne is prime Rules territory. And if the Rebels manage to steal even a smidgen of the sporting action down there, then good on’ em.
As for the rest, well, knocking off the Poms is not quite the draw-card it once was. The locals would have given anything for such a state of affairs the last time that Martin Johnson was at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. That was seven years ago when he made off with the Webb Ellis Cup. He’s playing for much smaller stakes on Saturday. Victory, though, would be just as sweet.
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