Had the guts to say what others are afraid to: Cheika nailed it in his steps required

[shasta]

I've noticed a growing number of press articles bemoaning how shit we are ATM, including the entirely predictable Kiwi claims that the AB's are starting to head the same way because of us, or that the Lions should abandon Oz next year in favour of ZA again.

There's no denying the truth of our current standard & it's all starting to grind. I'm thinking that a National Rugby Championship could be preferable. If broadcast dollars are feasible. I actually reckon there might just be more punters interested in that than the current SR format, despite the modest improvement in results last season. I get the feeling we'd not suffer too much financially when you consider the entirely bleak outlook for SR finances looking ahead.

[AndyS]

I've noticed a growing number of press articles bemoaning how shit we are ATM...
I'm thinking that a National Rugby Championship could be preferable....we'd not suffer too much financially

Don't fall into the trap of conflating two issues. Whether or not reducing Australian rugby to an NRC standard is financially feasible (and I'd be dubious given the massive increase in overheads), there is no way it will improve the Wallabies or make touring here attractive for anyone.