Experts say Australia’s disastrous World Cup campaign is the result of long-term decline. So, what are the problems and can they be fixed?
to finally get a nationally aligned high-performance model off the ground. The ailing financial health of some states left them no choice, and Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan said this week he hoped any reluctance to get on board would fade given the disastrous World Cup results.
Stephenson said there is a possibility some states might resist change, “but I would be disappointed if all five did”. Not only does Australia not have the playing depth to populate five successful teams, the spread hurts all five and prevents the chance to build “cohesion” – the benefit gained from players being together for years as juniors in the same sides. Ireland have only four professional teams and Scotland have only two.The Force and Rebels have never made the finals, and notable New Zealand figures like Sir Steve Hansen have repeatedly argued Australia needs to cut two Super Rugby teams.
“You make it harder for players to get contracts, and do the tough years in club footy. And then get a really competitive environment to even get into Super Rugby. So then you are surrounded by successful players and teams, and the individual performances improve. And then you have more cohesion, too. The average win percentage of many of the Wallabies, in all their footy, would be 40 per cent.
Rugby Australia is about to appoint a high-performance director, and says all those elements will be part of a new aligned structure.
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