It’s time for Australians to rediscover their love for rugby. Back in the 1990s it was the passion and pride of Australia, with late comeback wins over the All Blacks ensuring the Australian public remained enthralled in a heated Trans-Tasman rivalry. Unfortunately, as the All Blacks and Springboks went from strength to strength, the Wallabies found themselves in the midst of a slump and public interest faded. It’s high time all that was pushed aside. This Saturday night the Wallabies take on the All Blacks at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium. It’s the perfect opportunity for Melbournians to ditch the AFL for the night and attend the game. The rest of Australia should in turn tune in their television sets to the exciting clash.
There’s bound to be some resistance to my call to embrace rugby but let me assure you watching Saturday night’s game is almost essential. With the Rugby World Cup taking place next year the Wallabies need Australia to rejuvenate their passion for rugby. You’d have to be a fool not to want to be involved. The Football World Cup in South Africa this year showed how even the most dedicated Rugby League fans couldn’t resist sneaking a glimpse amongst all the hype and passion for the sport. Come next year, we can recreate that on our neighbours doorstep. New Zealand are bound to put on a spectacular show, so why not make a head start and get behind the Wallabies now? You can be assured that the excitement will be too strong to resist next year.
Not that the World Cup is the only reason to attend Saturday night’s clash. Rugby has always been a traditionally physical and exciting sport. This is especially true now, with Southern Hemisphere rugby giving away kicking in favour of a more fast paced and positive style of rugby where retention of the ball is more important than territory. This is a style that the Wallabies have been trying to emulate for years and only now have the talent to do so with their new look backline. Coach Robbie Deans can only have helped them find their way to a stunning win over the Springboks last weekend. They are playing with renewed confidence and determination, as well being arguably the most well-disciplined side of the Tri-Nations. They will be determined to beat the All Blacks on Saturday night to continue their Tri-Nations campaign as well as make a start towards reclaiming the Bledisloe Cup.
Rugby is set to get bigger all over Australia in the coming years, especially in Melbourne. The home of AFL will find themselves with a rugby team in the Super 15 in 2011, the Melbourne Rebels. The new AAMI Park, a 30,050 Rectangular Stadium located at Olympic Park, will be home of the Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne Victory (soccer), and the Melbourne Storm (rugby league). Rugby is set once again to captivate Australians.
What better way to support the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign by getting behind them on Saturday night? There is always room for sport in this country, and rugby is going to take centre-stage next year and possibly in years to come. Fresh from a win over the defending World Cup champions, the Wallabies will be raring to go but need every inch of your support. So, come on Australia – tune in or attend Saturday night’s clash. It’s time to give rugby another chance.
Qantas Wallabies V New Zealand All Blacks
Etihad Stadium
Docklands, VIC
Sat 31 Jul 2010, 08:00 PM
http://www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more on the Wallabies, visit their website.