Why rugby union recruited an NRL premiership winner and State of Origin champion to lure juniors away from rugby league
Rugby union is being crushed at the junior level by the NRL and AFL, so the warring football association has recruited a rugby league superstar to turn the tide.
According to recent federal government data, 173,000 children aged 0 to 8 play Aussie Rules, while 108,000 children aged 9 to 14 play rugby league.
Another 125,000 teenagers aged 15 to 17 play Aussie Rules and 84,000 participate in rugby league.
Rugby union is not in the top 10 youth demographics. Recent data from the Australian Sports Commission shows that only 95,000 children play rugby across all youth categories.
The problems at senior level are well documented.
The Wallabies failed to avoid the group stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup for the first time in history, resulting in the sacking of coach Eddie Jones.
The debt-ridden Melbourne Rebels have been disbanded, while Super Rugby struggles to remain relevant after the departure of South African teams, along with Argentina’s Jaguares and Japan’s Sunwolves.
Rugby Australia announced it has suffered a huge loss of $9.2 million in 2023 and the organisation is struggling to get back on its feet after the setbacks.
To achieve this, they have enlisted the help of NRL legend Mark Gasnier.
Former NRL star Mark Gasnier introduces new junior rugby sport Tri Tag at Woodville Wasps Rugby Club
Gasnier played most of his active career in rugby league, but ended his career as a rugby player for Stade Français in France.
Gasnier was one of the most impressive NRL players of his generation and was regularly picked to play State of Origin and for his country
While Gasnier played his final two professional seasons with French rugby club Stade Français, he made 175 NRL appearances, 12 State of Origin appearances for New South Wales and represented the Australian Kangaroos on 15 occasions.
Not only has he been appointed the face of junior rugby, Gasnier has also been tasked with creating a new sport, Tri Tag, for juniors, to compete with Auskick in the AFL and League Stars, the NRL equivalent.
Tri Tag comes in a variety of formats. For children aged six, it can be played with five players per team, limited line-outs and scrums, and on half a football pitch.
The full version consists of 10 players per team, scrums and five-man line-outs and is played on a full-size pitch, including goal kicks.
Gasnier hopes this format can breathe new life into the union in Australia.
“There is no doubt, from the outside, there is an impression that they are having a hard time,” Gasnier said News Corp.
‘My experience with many local clubs has shown that there is a tremendous amount of goodwill and good people.
“Once you realize that, you would think it’s just a matter of time before they start moving in the right direction.”
New South Wales Rugby is already rolling out Tri Tag and there are plans to introduce it into Australian schools
“I started testing and demonstrating Tri Tag at clubs, and then Rugby Australia approached us to come and see the game, and they loved it,” Gasnier continued.
“They wanted to roll it out as their official contactless game, so they hired me to train all the staff in their affiliated unions and roll it out locally across Australia.
‘I’ve been working on it since September last year and I go to the affiliated associations to show them what the game is all about. I help the development officers understand the game, show them the links and how they can offer the game in schools and clubs.’
The move has divided uncertain rugby fans, who have been disappointed several times in recent years.
“Creating Tri Tag and using a league player to promote it seems a bit desperate. I think you should try something,” someone posted.
“The deck chairs on the Titanic are being rearranged,” posted one unconvinced rugby fan.
