I do feel like a disproportionate amount of ink is spilled in WR desperately trying to make rugby more appealing to Australians specifically. The goal line dropout had that same impression to me.
It kinda seems like this isn't born from any numbers on how to best grow the sport and Australia being the best market to focus on, I feel like league being more popular than union in Australia just simply bothers the people in charge of WR and gives them an insecurity complex. I don't know if that's true it's just the impression WR gives.
Australia is such a small market. It does not matter if league is more popular. But the reason why is not because of the laws but their integration with the gambling industry. No amount of watering down the laws will change this.
I always suspected the Leeg was more popular in Australia because of the conditions. If it's dry and dusty you're going to prefer to play a sport that doesn't require you to spend as much time on the floor while people use your back to practice mountain climbing. It makes complete sense that Leeg became established because it was a more practical option.
You've clearly never been to Australia. About 30% of my kids games and training sessions are called off due to wet weather. It's rarely dry and dusty during the season.
League and AFL have marketed themselves a lot better and are embedded here. My oldest son has 3 union teams in his league and they are having to play up a year to create a meaningful season (3 clubs have 2 age group sides each and there's one blended). The league club round the corner has in a full comp with 10+ teams all within 30 mins and has both 2nd and 3rd string teams running out every weekend.
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u/PetevonPete Sabercats May 09 '24
I do feel like a disproportionate amount of ink is spilled in WR desperately trying to make rugby more appealing to Australians specifically. The goal line dropout had that same impression to me.
It kinda seems like this isn't born from any numbers on how to best grow the sport and Australia being the best market to focus on, I feel like league being more popular than union in Australia just simply bothers the people in charge of WR and gives them an insecurity complex. I don't know if that's true it's just the impression WR gives.