Being an Australian citizen, i really couldnt care less for Rugby/NRL/ALF or if they died as a result of WC2018. But they wont, which is the stupid thing anyway. They just want to maintain a stranglehold on Auss sport, just like Rugby does here.

I wonder if FIFA will view the AFL/ NRL resistance as a challenge? Perhaps this 'insolence' will work in the Australian bid's favour.

Andrew Demetriou, not Demetrios

Why would van Hattum be a fool to say he's looking forward to the rugby world cup, Sam? This should be a celebration of the event, the games themselves will be secondary to the event, the economic spin offs, the tourists, it’ll be a blast. There are permanent spin offs, too for the public. For example, the way I see it, this is the only way NZ was ever going to upgrade their dire provincial suburbia. This infatuation with undermining anything to do with rugby & its possible success is unhealthy. No one is being forced to watch the games, but in light of the last 18 months, the economy (and NZ) is in desperate need of this injection into the economy. Desperately. Fortunately, the rugby fraternity have moved on from 1981-82 & frankly, they deserved everything that came their way. The sport doesn't consume the nation any longer (even recently, witness the response to the 1999 choke to the 2007 choke). Soccer's challenge- as previously mentioned, is to make sure we collectively take advantage of the All White's success, which was not done after 1982. However, it's a completely different country to 1982, so I think soccer will continue to grow- demographics have played a huge part in the growth of soccer in NZ, the rugby club no longer dominates ther rural community, kiwis see there is more to the world than rugby & swappa crates. This is not the insular nation of 1982 & there is no reason why the 2 sports cannot co- exist & support each other. I post this because I see similar parallels in Australia- remembering it was still referred to as ‘wogball’ well into the 1980’s. They too have moved on. Theya re infact, further down the road, IMO- they have a strong domestic competition. NZ does not, our biggest challenge, I believe, Sam- is how we build up a genuine national league, which garners media interest & helps keep younger players in the game.

Canukiwi

Thanks for the feedback. I agree with you re the national benefits derived from World Cups. I disagree that van Hattum or Demetriou should consider that of any value to their code "or look forward" to them.

Im keen to write something on the national league - will do shortly.

Fair enough, Sam (I'm trying to picture Clive Currie- tall, blond, played in the backs, somewhere?). Also made a typo, perhaps obvious- should have read provincial stadia, not suburbia.

As to the national league, one of my frustrations has always been the haphazard, adhoc approach they have always taken to fix the issue. Perhaps it's too late, but I would be an advocate of: * 12 teams, 3 Akl, 2 Wgth, 2 Chch, 1 Otago, 1 Hawkes Bay, 1 Waikato, 1 Manawatu & you can't go wrong with a Nelson Utd. * Get it back to a club based league, away from this provincial idea. Clubs will bring loyalty, passion & commitment. * Play it in the winter, up against club rugby, which is in more trouble than the early settlers- capitalise on this. * Get Terry Maddaford & co involved. Plug the game to these guys. * Raise the profile of the Chatham Cup. * Be specific on the rules regarding 'franchise players'. * Utilise the stadia mentioned above- most soccer grounds have minimal appeal to the fan. Waikato Stadium has as good a surfsce as anything I've seen in Australasia. * Appeal to the grassroots through ticket giveaways, player camps during school holidays. * Get the games on free to air, who bloody cares if it's maori TV. Sky don't/won't care, so think outside the box. * Each team must include 3 U21 players, from the club ranks. * Have a match of the week, one week night per week. If you could get Mt Wgtn playing North Shore on a Friday night, or even a Wednesday evening & there was enough media, you could get 3-5,000.

These are just off the top of my head.

Good article yesterday in the SMH which makes this point. Simply there isn't enough room in Australia for 4 well supported and World Class football competitions. Fans may be ok but ultimately not enough corporate support or television rights funding to let the A-League grow without cannibalising support for another game. NZ situation *may* be different.

Demetriou is brash and hasn't really helped his cause with some hyperbolic comments but he does speak from a position of power (most popular football code in Australia). Personally I think the FFA has done well to avoid a public slanging match while quietly getting government support which will trump any complaints from rival codes.

But the simple fact is that there is a turf war going on here and the other codes know that undoubtedly a football World Cup would be a big boost. Aussie is close to being maxed out with sporting products so this becomes a zero sum game, if football benefits someone else loses out.

Sam, don't even need a blog on local football, just open the floor to comments. Sure to be interesting. BTW Canukiwi, I trust from your ideas that you're living in the 80s, 3-5k at a local football match, Mt Wellington v Nth Shore, this isn't the Rothmans League! I couldn't disagree with you more on reverting to the clubs but will leave that to another time

James,

It is reference to the 80's-absolutely, and to be fair, I'm nder no illusions that it was all a bed of roses. But, what it had back then, was sme trial passion. In my opinion, this has been missing from the domestic game for the last 2 decades & a key ingredient in bringing some interest back into th domestic game. We can't all play for the Phoenix & these provincialteams theyhave persisted with over the last 10-15 years don't create & demand a loyalty in the team.

I'm also under no illusions that today's teams would beat the Mt Wellingtons of th 1970's/80's bu 4-5 goal- they are fitter, stronger & faster today. But the domesti game is empty. I have two friends who's teenage sons have drifted into rugby last year- one of the kids was a very good soccer player. And I find myself akin,'well, what's to keep him in the domestic game?' A cold miserable suburban park with a 2.45pm kick off & the proverbial one man & his dog watching?

There is no interest or passion, below the Phoenix. Just my 5c worth.

Hosting the FIFA WORLD CUP in Australia would be great, but I dont understand why andrew demetrious and the afl are trying to stop it. This guy who wrote this article ( Sam Buckle) is just an idiot so is getting paid by the afl to spread propganda. Also the afl should stop sending their players to primary schools to brainwash kids into playing aussie rules. How low can you go ?