Australian rugby in crisis

Rugby is struggling for money and popularity in Australia. Photo / Getty Images

Australia are scrabbling for any rugby help they can muster.

The sport is flagging in popularity among the major codes, the ARU is losing money, their Super sides are battling and stacks of players are eyeing offshore deals.

Man the lifeboats, let's think of a quick fix, any fix to try to halt the slide, chief executive Bill "I don't have an answer" Pulver is shouting.

Wallaby coach Michael "Misconduct" Cheika emerges from a warm discussion with the referees to suggest they gather as many fit ex-Wallabies they can find to prop up the ailing enterprise.

Look there's Matt Giteau; he last played a great test against the All Blacks in ... just give me time I'll think of one, and Drew Mitchell - gee he runs fast, and George Smith, he's nearly 35 but would be a great backup to Michael Hooper, David Pocock and Liam Gill.

And next year we'll be able to draft guys like Will Genia and Adam Ashley-Cooper back from rugby on the Riviera or wherever they are filling their wallets.

Great stuff, we're on to it, ink it in ARU, this will give us another surge towards the Rugby World Cup.

It might suit the desperate diggers but right now, I'm with Steve Tew in dismissing ideas New Zealand should adopt a similar system.

We are heading for a diluted and confusing Super Rugby series from next season and the All Blacks will not have a number of players who helped bring sustained success and high standards.

However, it will be a time for strong selectors and coaches to flourish.

If we used the Aussie system we could cherry-pick from Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Daniel Carter, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu if they all decided to go and play for clubs in Europe, Japan or Madagascar.

They've all played more than 60 tests and given seven years service to the test game in New Zealand.

If we got desperate the All Blacks could whistle up Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Mils Muliaina or persuade Andrew Hore to come in from mustering.

Brad Thorn might like another crack but under the Ocker regulations he's come up shy of the criteria with 59 tests.

Concessions by the ARU are no reason for New Zealand Rugby to go the same way but they are a damning sign of the troubles across the Ditch and those that Sanzar faces in their work to hold the tri-nations series together.

The NZRU and their coaches will look on the player exodus as a testing time in the game but a chance for the younger talent to push through and demand their time in Super Rugby kit or the famous black jersey.

We don't need to pick from offshore, however we do need to change the rules around the rugby calendar and competitions to make the game more enjoyable this side of the equator.