Without AFL and NRL, the Wallabies Wouldn’t Lose a Game
The Battle for Australia’s Sporting Heart
Rugby union has long been the underdog in Australia’s crowded sporting landscape. With the National Rugby League (NRL) expanding and Australian Rules Football (AFL) deeply embedded in the nation’s culture, the Wallabies continue to fight for relevance. The British & Irish Lions tour has reignited an age-old debate: how much does rugby union truly matter in Australia?
Despite its minority status, there’s a growing sense that the Wallabies could reclaim their place in the national consciousness—if given the chance. As former captain Michael Hooper puts it, We are fair-weather fans in this country. We love a winner—someone who embodies the Australian spirit of grit and competitiveness.
The Talent Drain: What If AFL and NRL Didn’t Exist?
One of the biggest challenges facing Australian rugby is the sheer dominance of rival codes in attracting elite athletes. With 16 NRL teams and 18 AFL clubs—compared to just four professional rugby union franchises—the competition for talent is fierce.
Jon Fisher, Queensland Reds assistant coach, offers a striking perspective: If you removed AFL and NRL from Australia, the Wallabies would be near-unstoppable. The talent pool in those sports is immense—many of those players would be Test-level rugby union stars if they’d grown up in the Northern Hemisphere.
It’s a sobering thought. The Wallabies, despite their struggles, still produce world-class players. But without the exodus of top-tier athletes to rival codes, Australia’s national rugby team could dominate global competition.
A Golden Opportunity on the Horizon
The next decade presents a critical chance for rugby union to reassert itself. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup and 2029 Lions Tour on home soil, followed by the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, the sport has a rare alignment of marquee events to reignite public passion.
However, momentum must start now. The Wallabies’ gutsy second Test performance against the Lions showed glimpses of their potential. Hooper stresses the need for consistency: We can’t afford the peaks and troughs of the past. To win back fans, we need sustained success.
The Threat of Irrelevance—and the Path Forward
Former Wallabies prop Nick Stiles highlights the existential risk posed by AFL and NRL’s financial might: They target young talent early, shaping loyalty before kids even consider rugby. Without reversing that trend, we’ll keep losing future stars.
Yet, there’s cause for optimism. The Lions’ ongoing presence—despite the quieter buildup to this series—proves rugby’s enduring appeal. History matters, says Stiles. The Lions will return because the sport is too big to fade away here.
Conclusion: The Wallabies’ Fight for Survival
Rugby union in Australia is at a crossroads. Without AFL and NRL siphoning talent, the Wallabies could be a global powerhouse. But reality demands a different approach—leveraging the 2027 World Cup, fostering grassroots development, and delivering consistent performances to win back disillusioned fans.
As Hooper puts it: This country loves sport. If we give them a team worth celebrating, they’ll show up. The Wallabies’ future hinges on seizing this moment—before it’s too late.
