Sideline Experts

A rugby podcast for fans who know a little bit about a lot! Join Mitch and Ned as they chat about all things rugby, both on and off the field!

[Sideline Experts @ExpertsSideline]

Episode 8 (2021) is live! 🏉🎙

In our latest instalment of the #SidelineExperts we were extremely fortunate to be joined by rugby royalty: QLD & Australian legend Michael Lynagh 🐐

A terrific bloke with some great insights on the game.

Worth a listen!
https://t.co/YgOvLplPAh

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

For me, the big takeaways were:
👉60% support aligning TRC with @SixNationsRugby
👉69% support adding @fijirugby & @JRFURugby into TRC
👉 78% support an ANZAC Day #BledisloeCup
👉 71% say @SuperRugby is now more enjoyable to watch

Plenty for the game’s leaders to consider.

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

As a rugby tragic, I’m proud to have played a role in compiling this year's State of Rugby Union: Australia 2026 report.

It captures what fans across the country think about where the game is heading.

To view our insights, visit the link below 👇👇👇
https://t.co/ynIBEqLxg9

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

It’s that time of year again, rugby fans!

Freshwater is back with this year’s State of Rugby Union survey & we’d love you to take part. Whether you follow SR, or just tune in for the big moments, your voice counts.

It only takes a few minutes & helps shape the future of 🇦🇺rugby

[Nick McArdle @nickmcardle_oz]

Disappointed to see a lack of vision here when other codes are pushing the boundaries and creating big bold events. If a restricted preparation applies to one side it applies to both. Surely NZ isn’t saying “no” simply because it wasn’t their idea. 🤔

https://t.co/xw3K5xOsHt

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

Aussie Rugby fans!

Freshwater Strategy invites you to take part in our annual ‘State of Rugby Union’ Survey.

With these insights, we hope to give all of those interested in our game a firmer understanding of where rugby is, & where rugby is heading.

https://t.co/ucIqgNwepH

[Freshwater Strategy @tweetfreshwater]

Dear Rugby fans,

We're delighted to invite you to take part in Australia’s first ‘State of Rugby Union’ Survey.

https://t.co/GgWuMN2Sll

1/1

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

Now watch Eddie achieve success abroad.

People can blame the coach all they want, but there comes a point where the common denominator behind our many recent ‘coaching failures’ can’t be ignored any longer : the system.

Max Verstappens don’t win GPs in a Datsun

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

Rugby broadcasters should visually highlight the territory gain of kicks, & the net gain/loss metres of kick battles.

The territorial contest is totally undervalued, & I feel that if highlighted engagingly, it could be an attractive focal point for the game.

@StanSportRugby

[Michael Atkinson @kinson88]

RUGBY'S GOLDEN GET: Suaalii signs 3-year deal with Rugby Aust & Waratahs, from end of 2024 onwards. RA Chairman, Hamish McLennan's simple comment in RA statement: "Welcome back to Rugby, Joseph." | @9NewsQueensland @9NewsAUS @wwos @StanSportRugby

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

@SuperRugby Proper rugby kit 💪

Should stay that way!!! @westernforce

[Sam Phillips @samphillips06]

If the ratio of TV to Stan viewers is anything like what it was when I covered rugby this match was watched by well in excess of 1M+.

Good result for the code despite the diabolical finish

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

…. the best interests of franchises from both countries, could lay foundations for some very positive developments for rugby in this part of the world.

If ignored however, I would advocate for Australia to pursue a Domestic league and a Pacific Champs Cup beyond that.

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

7. CONCLUSION

If the following reforms can’t be instituted, then I see no reason in Australia pursuing SR Pacific. It would simply be tying ourselves to perpetual inefficiency and mediocrity; especially from a product and appeal perspective.

These reforms would be in….

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

…. have arbitrary national rules which apply purely based on which country the club is registered/based in.

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

6. UNIVERSAL SALARY CAP

Under a new central governance commission and executive team, this would finally be possible, and would serve to level the playing field. After all, if teams are to participate in one league as mutually independent clubs, then it makes no sense to….

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

…. North American leagues where despite franchises being fielded from across two nations, their isn’t the same Aussie v Kiwi mentality that defines our TT fixtures today.

E.g. We don’t see this happen when the Toronto Raptors play the Chicago Bulls.

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

…. as they see fit. The beauty of it is, it wouldn’t compromise the perceived legitimacy of the teams as they are now: rep team/franchise hybrids which do their best to cling to their provincial past (albeit in an ugly and unclear way).

The ideal should be to become like….

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

…. essentially render the new, reorganised TT Lwague a club/franchise system as any other league goes by in other sports and parts of the world. As such, clubs would be fully within their rights to pursue talent from all over (but especially from both sides of the Tasman)….

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

5. OPEN PLAYER MARKET

In abandoning the glorified and anti-tribalism ‘development system v development system’ approach of SR as it currently is, the need for players to represent their own provinces/national systems would become superfluous. The aforementioned reforms would….

[Mitch PW @mitchell_pw]

…. which would represent another revenue opportunity for the Australian code. Likewise could occur for inter-island rep team clashes in NZ.

In any case, geography is important for the franchises in any FT league, and cities/regions are most desirable for aforementioned reasons.