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http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=28068
Rugby in Australia has dropped to being the ninth most popular sport in the country which is well of the high point it achieved in 2004.
The sport of Rugby Union reached it's all time high of being Australia's fourth most popular sport in 2004 after Australia hosted the 2003 Rugby world cup and reached the final.
However since that time the sport has dropped to fourth to seventh and now to ninth in sports rankings over the past seven years.
A report by a brand analysis and research agency, Repucom says that when the 2007 Rugby world cup was taking place in France the sport had dropped from fourth to seventh.
Since that world cup rugby has again dropped going from seventh to ninth place. Ironically, even though rugby union dropped position on the rankings, interest in the sport actually increased by 3 per cent but it's opposition codes moved more.
The big movers in Australian sport have been Soccer (Football) and Formula One motor racing as they were not even in the top 10 sports in 2004, but they are now ranked sixth and eight respectively.
Soccer (Football) has enjoyed a higher than normal profile as Australia were bidding to host the 2022 World cup and in Formula One Australian driver Mark Webber's on-track success has also raised the profile of the sport.
Soccer recorded the biggest increase with 11 per cent, jumping from 19 per cent to 30 per cent, while Formula One went up by 6 per cent.
Both codes could now drop in the rankings as the circumstances have changed.
The Australian Rugby Union are hoping that the new expanded Super 15 Rugby series, which includes more local derbies and having the world cup across the Tasman next year will increase the profile and popularity of the game.
It will however be difficult for rugby union which recorded a 23 per cent interest to regain it's previous fourth place but there is a possibility that the game could go as high as sixth or seventh.
On a positive note in the avid fans sector rugby union cam fifth behind rugby league, Australian Rules, soccer and cricket which indicates that rugby union has genuine interest and that it is not passing through a phase.
The top-ranking sports, AFL and cricket, scored 39 per cent interest, while rugby league, tennis and swimming scored in the low 30s.
ranking? they mean TV viewing numbers surely?
participation has to be 4 or 5th with AFL - Cricket - Netball - Hockey being in font
Crowd attendance i believe is 3rd behind AFL and Cricket and even cricket im not sure about as Local games usually dont have that big a crowd...
im not sure of the point of this survey to be honest....
its like saying Olympic games are the most popular sport because everyone watched them!
Not around here it aint!
Always get a laugh when people use Soccer (Football).
If you are going to call it Soccer just bloody well call it Soccer, we all know what you mean.
If you go for Football (Soccer) as a clarification then fair enough, you may be a wanker but at least you know it.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Crap, didn't realise I'm following a dud sport..well, better pull up stumps and support a real hard game..like soccer or AFL..or better still the sport for the thug in me, league. Easy done..
It would likely be referring to participation. But it actually nothing new if that's the case. I'd imagine Soccer,Netball,Cricket,AFL,League,Touch Football,Swimming and probably Lawn Bowls are ahead of Rugby in player numbers as it has always been.
If its competitions, attendance and viewerships then Rugby would be most likely
3rd if not a narrow 4th. In attendance we are only 3rd to AFL and League (higher average but shorter season). Viewership again 3rd to the two above even with next to no real FTA coverage of our Premier competition. The A-League's crowds and viewership are both abysmal.
If its brand awareness then this should increase thanks to next years RWC and hopefully the highlights show on 9.
---------- Post added at 13:58 ---------- Previous post was at 13:55 ----------
In terms of attendance the overall average for Aus Super Rugby teams this season was a little in excess of 18,000 from memory. Over 21,000 for the entire Super Rugby season if I'm not mistaken. Not too bad considering our season is significantly shorter than the other two. And again both the AFL and NRL have extensive FTA exposure. It would be great to see Rugbywith even a fraction of that given the style of play rhis season.
Oh, average crowd - yeah I can believe that.
Unfortunately we multiply our crowd by 2, 3 or 4 over 13 weeks, NRL and AFL by 8 over 24 and 22 matches.
Bring on the ARC.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Where did bocce end up?
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
up there with marbles
I like bocce and boules. Civilised. You don't spill your drink.
It's a tragedy that farnarkling has dropped to number 11.
Will the Police come if I google "farnarkling"!?![]()
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.