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'A concern for everyone': Why Rugby Australia's Chief is unhappy with the flailing Waratahs
By AAP
Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos admits the NSW Waratahs' struggles have soured the new-look Super Rugby product, labelling them a "concern for everyone" in the country's biggest market.
Speaking at the launch of this weekend's Aon Uni 7s domestic women's tournament, Marinos was asked for his thoughts after five rounds of the Super Rugby AU season after it's move to free-to-air and streaming platform Stan Sport.
Unprompted, he singled out the Waratahs, who suffered record defeats to the Queensland Reds and Brumbies to open their season before allowing the Western Force their first victory since returning to the Australian ranks last year.
The Waratahs lost to 33-14 on Friday night to the Melbourne Rebels to complete a clean sweep of defeats and will welcome the unbeaten Reds on Saturday without injured Wallabies trio Jake Gordon, Lachlan Swinton and Jack Dempsey.
Marinos said broadcast numbers had trebled since the start of the season but they couldn't gloss over the Waratahs' struggles.
"There have been some unfortunate performances and that's been well documented," Marinos said.
"The Waratahs have been struggling this year and that's obviously a concern for everyone.
"A big market like this when they've not been performing, it will have an impact."
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was in camp with the Waratahs this week as part of his whistlestop club tour, while they have also benefited from time with RA mind coach Dave Diggle.
"We'll continue to share and help where we can, to make sure that they get back to where they need to get back to," Marinos said.
"At the same time, the Brumbies, Force, Rebels and Reds have all put in some really good displays and the games have been really compelling."
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Latest Comments
Ben Smith. My Man! So glad this is only "opinion piece". I was Reading the headline and straight away assumed you meant a 2 horse race between Pieter and Cheslin. There was no way you you meant Caelan.
Cheslin is not only the most exciting winger of this generation, but also a multi disciplined performer, Defence, Lineouts, Conversions and scrumming. LOL. He can do it all. He can put players twice his size on there rear ends and side step at full pace around on coming traffic on a penny.
I will also note that there has been since 2009 till 2017 only NZ winners bar the great one Thierry Dusautoir for France in 2011. And this was because they were the best team in the world winning back to back world cups, also having the best players at that time nominated. Never before has there been more than 2 players from the same country nominated for the award, but this year there was 3 from SA. All Dbl World Cup winning Players.
No one has been so put out about who was nominated in earlier awards, but for some reason you are.
I am thankful that its not up to you to decide on the "token" choices. (Rather lets not use that language again). The world chose the players and lets leave it there.
I don't Blame Rugby Pass for allowing this to print, but there should have been some profound editing on this.
Thanks for your opinion, But maybe lets keep it that just yours not anyone else's.
Go to commentsIf OZ are to regain their lost credibility they now need to tip up the Irish or at least run them close. Can't see that happening even though miracles occasionally occur
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