BEAU ROBINSON
The Wallabies have created much hype back home in Australia with their meteoric rise to the final of this year’s Rugby World Cup.
The Wallabies and All Blacks will make history even before kick for the 2015 World Cup decider, with it being the first time the 2 teams have ever faced each other in a World Cup Final.
Photo: Facebook.
With the inaugural World Cup being held in 1987, and this being the eighth World Cup, there have been several World Cups in which both teams were destined to meet in the final, but one or both have fallen agonisingly short.
It is for this reason that this is arguably the most anticipated World Cup final in history.
But so much more than bragging rights over the little cousin is at stake for this game.
Rugby in Australia has suffered a steady decline in popularity since its golden days of the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
It was in this era that Australia won 4 consecutive Bledisloe medals and hosted the memorable 2003 World Cup, of which they made the final.
In 2001 the Wallabies hosted and defeated the British and Irish Lions.
It was a time when the Wallabies crowds were breaking world records for attendances at Bledisloe matches in the traditional non-rugby heartland of Melbourne at the MCG, followed by the 110 000+ crowd turn out at the old Sydney Olympic Park.
With the World Cup being played when there is no rugby league or AFL to compete with, it has the opportunity to capture markets it usually would not be able to tap into.
Many Australians have changed their ‘profile pictures’ on Facebook to show their support.
Whilst others have proclaimed their desire for the Wallabies to beat the old foe, the Kiwis come Sunday morning, including Tom Goolagong.
“Can’t wait for Sunday morning to see the mighty Wallabies pump the Kiwis. Goin to be worth getting up for this one”.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) knows that it definitely needs the Wallabies to win to invigorate interest in rugby in Australia again. It also knows it needs this to bring crowds back to the stands, and faces in front of tv screens to fill their dire coffers. The game hasn’t been in such a troubled financial state in Australia since the game went professional in 1996.
It’s one for getting up at 2am for, they will need us as much as we need them.