So much is written about the differences between the amateur days of rugby union and the modern professional game, and rightly so; rugby is unique in its recent shift into professionalism. The sport has been professional for less than twenty years, therefore, the ‘business’ of rugby is still very young. Around the world the sport has grown up with SKY TV and large sponsorship deals. Traditionalists will still question whether or not this is really what the game of rugby union is all about. The difficult adolescence that rugby has been through recently as it has attempted to catch up with the other major sports has hit particularly hard in Wales. A proud rugby nation that is in another ‘golden-age’ of success, it seems fewer people are enjoying the rugby, but instead are worried about the outcome of the ongoing WRU-Regional dispute.
WRU-Regional Dispute
The dispute between the Welsh Rugby Union and the regions only shows the severity of the situation. This week’s statement from Regional Rugby Wales (RRW) said that the “Regions must now urgently consider the stark practical consequences of operating within a business model that does not include any form of agreement with the WRU.” The WRU has responded with shock and has encouraged the regions to continue with the talks saying that that they are “confident in a positive outcome soon.” A positive outcome feels some distance away and the dispute is tearing the Welsh game apart.
The last ‘golden-age’ of Welsh rugby was in the 1970s, in a far different rugby lands cape. As Welsh fans lapped up the success brought by Gareth Edwards, Barry John, JPR Williams et al, it did not appear there would be a time when Wales would have a weak side. This was of course, incorrect. The 1980s and ‘90s were dark periods in terms of Welsh rugby and only in recent times has a Welsh team begun to live up to the names of their predecessors.
The point is that success does not last, and while it’s here we should bask in it rather than squabble over the finances of it. The powers that be of course need to discuss the finances; rugby is of course, a business nowadays. However, the supporters should be supporters. Discussing tactics and players’ strengths is being replaced with conversations of rugby politics and it is to the detriment of the game. The argument within Wales has rumbled on for well over a year in its current guise, but the roots can be traced back to 2003.
One can understand that all parties involved have serious issues with the current agreement and do have a right to feel aggrieved. The issue is prevalent when the politics seeps too far into the game and prevents the fans’ enjoyment. It is preventing new supporters from becoming interested in the game, and turning current supporters away. If a child opens the paper in the hope of seeing updates on his rugby heroes, he can be disappointed to see Roger Lewis’s face staring back at him. I also understand that many are interested in the debate and have strong views on the subject. I too was interested for the first few months, but as time draws on even those with the strongest views will switch off from the debate and begin to fear for the game.
With three Six Nations titles in the last seven years it is a period of dominance for Wales and they have a team with the talent to win many more titles. I go back to that ‘70s side; they have been remembered by the tries scored and the glorious attacking plays they executed. This Welsh side is in a similar period of triumph but I fear they will not be remembered for their on-field exploits and instead the off-field troubles will dominate the history of the period. If this is the case then all the work that the Welsh squad is putting in to train and achieve their peak performance is in vein, because the men at the top of Welsh rugby cannot thrash out a deal.
Dispute Becomes Public and Personal
The debate has become very public over the last year and has become overly personal with several individual jibes. Roger Lewis has been a major target, as has David Moffett. Whatever side of the argument you stand on, nobody can excuse the malicious way certain individuals have been targeted.
If an agreement is made, it is unlikely that it will have been worth the long drawn out negotiations that have been experienced. Both sides are likely to be disappointed with the final agreement, but supporters in Wales will be overjoyed. This tussle between the WRU and the regions has disenfranchised many rugby supporters who simply want to watch the sport they love.
It is time to find an agreement before it is too late, for the supporters and the players first and the businessmen a distant second. Although they may be in charge of the Welsh game, it is not their game. The heads of both the WRU and RRW need to compromise, since it is clear that neither is going to get their ideal agreement.
For the supporters, it is time they were allowed to bask in the triumph of on field successes without looking over their shoulder to check on the political situation. Rugby is an entertainment sport after all, and this political situation is far from entertaining.
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Main Photo via sam hopwood
