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4. Good signs for Waratahs
The Dan McKellar era started with an encouraging 43-17 win against the Kubota Spears in Japan on Friday, but the development of Max Jorgensen during the Wallabies tour – and of course Suaalii’s arrival – must have delighted the new coach. Jorgensen is going from top Super Rugby prospect to genuine Test outside back at a rate of knots. He looks robust, composed and fast – he still had a lot of work to do for that try against Ireland even though the space had been created by Lolesio and Tom Wright. A Waratahs back line of Jake Gordon, Tane Edmed, Darby Lancaster, Lalakai Foketi, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Jorgensen and Andrew Kellaway looks like it has a lot of points in it.
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Ireland’s $30m loss another wake-up call
In the build-up to the Wallabies Test, the IRFU announced they had lost $30 million in the past year, in the latest sign of the code’s financial issues. Of course, all unions lose revenue in a World Cup year, but it’s not as if the tournament is a one-off, unexpected event.
If successful unions such as Ireland – who would have pocketed about $10m from winning the Six Nations – are losing tens of millions every four years, there are clearly issues that go far beyond Australian rugby’s own financial problems.
Where will all this end up? Probably Qatar as part of the new Nations Cup.
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