Old heads to help new Wallabies

Russell Peart calls on the ARU to make changes now rather than wait and fall further behind the eight ball.

Sack George Gregan? How ridiculous.

Now more than ever Australian Rugby needs leaders like George and Nathan Sharpe to bring through the youth of future Wallaby teams.

I would go as far to say icons like Gregan and Sharpie are good for the game because they are liked by the supporters. These captain’s always rates highly in the popularity poles run by the Australian Rugby Union.

It is not a case of we have a great youthful scrum half in wings called Matt Henjak and a captain to be in Sharpe nor is it that George will break the world’s record for the most appearances by an international player ever.

It’s really is a case he is still the best man for the job according to the Wallaby coach Eddie Jones, his employer Gary Flowers the General Manager of the Australian Rugby Union and 40,000 plus supporters at Subiaco Oval in Perth (and other venues) who witnessed and applauded George when he played his 100th cap and his 113th cap.

Beyond George and Nathan we aree looking for guys like Bill Young, Stirling Mortlock, Brendan Cannon, Chris Whittaker, Matt Rodgers and Chris Latham to help Australian Rugby to flourish by helping bring on those “young blokes” we keep on hearing about.

Without a platform to do this it will be difficult for these guys, where is this domestic Australian rugby competition? Super 8’s has been put on the back burner, may even be replaced by Super 6, Aussie ‘A’, junior All Blacks, the PIRA teams and Japan. What now? Nothing! We have four state teams with access to 60 players each. 30 of those players are with the Wallabies and another 30 players with Australia ‘A’.

Still this leaves 180 cream players. 8 x 22 = 176 = simple maths. Why not have two representative sides from each state NSW ‘A’, NSW ONE, QLD ‘A’, QLD ONE, ACT ‘A’, ACT ONE, WA ‘A’ and WA ONE (for names sake). We have teams, now we need a competition.

I know have the teams play each other at all the world cup venues used in 2003 and build on that local support. Imagine QLD ONE vs Act ‘A’ in Hobart, NSW ‘A’ vs WA ‘A’ in Adelaide and ACT ONE vs WA ONE in Gosford.

Let’s not forget the blockbuster NSW ONE vs NSW ‘A’ at Concorde, ACT ‘A’ vs ACT ONE at Canberra Stadium, QLD ONE vs QLD ‘A’ at Ballymore and WA ONE vs WA ‘A’ at Members Equity!!!

Come on ARU put your money where the future is - Australian Rugby. Tri-nation, Super 14’s, Super 6 and an Australian Rugby Competition.

If we are going to have a future for Rugby Union here in Australia, it has to start at the top. I support the Eddie Jones and the ARU for their trust in one of Australia greatest captains and players – George Gregan.

Now I expect them to make the future of Australian Rugby Safe ... It’s time for the old heads to help Rugby’s future on and OFF the field.

Russell Peart hosts Rugby Radio at 9:00am (Perth Time) every Sunday morning. You can tune in by switching the dial to 89.7FM or online via the TwinCities FM website.