Why RA’s off-field inertia is hurting the Wallaroos

Australia’s women could win a Rugby World Cup. The talent is there, and the drive is there. They are far likelier to do it sooner than the men. But they are no chance in New Zealand, and no chance in England in 2025 because Rugby Australia has been too slow to fund them properly.

The first 20 minutes of the loss to the Black Ferns at Eden Park showed what they are capable of, but the performance also came after RA chief executive Andy Marinos said he would “like for us as a game to be in a position where we have a contracted base” by 2025. That’s at least one Rugby World Cup cycle behind the likes of England and France. Even NZ Rugby - hardly anyone’s idea of rugby suffragettes - is ahead of its Australian counterparts. RA has shovelled countless millions into the men’s game for little high-performance rewards - they are the No.9-ranked Test team in the world and are perpetual Super Rugby cellar dwellers - and need to get a move on where the women are concerned.

They have not kicked on since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and any side that has ambitions of joining the Rugby Championship should be beating Australia A. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Sanzaar - coming off a pretty successful Rugby Championship - is leaning towards sticking with the status quo when it comes to the Rugby Championship and possible expansion. Japan aren’t there yet.

Aumua, who qualifies for both Fiji and Manu Samoa, has been conspicuous by his absence from any Pacific Islands Test squad this year, and if the All Blacks XV pick him, it will undercut part of Moana Pasifika’s purpose. “By Pasifika, for Pasifika” has been the mantra used repeatedly. Let’s not hope it really means “By Pasifika, for Pasifika until the All Blacks are interested”.Here’s the gloomy longer-term view of the United Rugby Championship.

paulcullystuff SMHsport They have the head office support, but a lack of talent and the attitude has the Wallabies on the back foot. 🙃 wallabies

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