Originally Posted by
Hansie
Pappy and I have exchanged a couple of e-mails over his call to arms. Actually a few weeks ago we commiserated over the parlous state of Union in Australia.
1. Pappy accepts he is seen as Sydney Centric but quote: " this is only a Steering committee.If the clubs want to do this and have a voice, it will be theirs to run and be represented as they see fit.We just happen to be the people who are attempting to create a mechanism for change."
2. "We are just mug volunteers who care enough to keep fighting. If people have a problem with that I couldn't care less."
2 years ago, Pappy and I were at loggerheads over the Force. Not that he ever wanted the Force to go, in fact he couldn't care if it were the Tahs to go, his view is that the ARU had lost total touch with Grassroots and pissed the money up against losing super rugby franchises.
Anyway, over time we actually started to see each other's point of view. He still does not think RWS will succeed, but admits it's more because he hasn't focussed on it. He points out that Club Rugby is booming, people rather go to watch Shute shield than Super Rugby.
His dream would be to have a proper club competition Australia wide, create tribalism, have Soaks play Randwick and Brothers etc. Get into the Schools and Juniors, get rid of Super Rugby and so on....However, he accepts it all comes to $$$, he also accepts that his ideas and dreams very likely would not resonate in WA, or QLD, so he believes Grassroots needs to engage in the discussion and hence he is happy to be part of the steering committee.
So...We as a community can decide whether we accept his points in good faith and become part of the discussion with eyes wide open, or we just rant about the closed shop of Sydney Rugby and how badly we are treated and misunderstood.
Your choice...