“Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important,” wrote TS Eliot in his play The Cocktail Party, over 60 years ago.
There’s a lot of it going on in sport at present.
The implosion of rugby union is a prime example, with accusations of arrogance levelled against departed Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan, who predicted, somewhat self importantly, that even more harm would come the way of his sport with his “spearing”.
There’s no visible harm at the top of the NRL, given the rising TV ratings, crowd figures and anticipated profit. Indeed, Eliot, one of the 20th-century’s great literary figures, may have been wrong in relation to rugby league, given the anticipated good that which will flow from the rightful glory evident at the recent meeting of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys and US President Joe Biden.
Another meeting between an Australian PM and a US President saw Julia Gillard present Barack Obama with an Australian rules football in the Oval Office. But that was more about her code wanting to feel important than Gillard herself.
However, the rugby codes are more aligned with the policies of Ronald Reagan. Reagan is associated with “trickle down” economics, the belief that resourcing the top will stimulate growth at the bottom.
Rugby Australia have poached Roosters star Joseph Suaalii on a big-money deal.Credit: NRL Photos
The 17 NRL clubs have certainly benefited from big handouts from head office, with Rugby League Central funding player salaries and club administrations at record levels.
However, the NSWRL and QRL argue not enough trickles down to the grassroots, protesting they are underfunded, particularly at state cup level.
If money is king, the gap between the rugby codes is greater than ever
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28.11.2023
“Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important,” wrote TS Eliot in his play The Cocktail Party, over 60 years ago.
There’s a lot of it going on in sport at present.
The implosion of rugby union is a prime example, with accusations of arrogance levelled against departed Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan, who predicted, somewhat self importantly, that even more harm would come the way........
© The Sydney Morning Herald
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