The rugby revolution

By CHRIS RATTUE

Paul McLean is basking in success, of the World Cup that is, although he reckons former Wallabies such as himself also get reflected glory in Australia these days.

McLean was once a classy first five-eighths who over 30 tests, including one as captain, helped guide Australian rugby out of its 1970s doom and gloom.

He might even be called one of the pioneers of Australia's rugby revolution which has taken them to two world crowns and caused an explosion of interest in the game.

McLean, 50, is now the Queensland managing director of a listed real estate company, FPDSavills, a London firm with 200 staff in McLean's region.

He is also president of Queensland rugby and vice-president of Australian rugby.

"We were minnows in my playing days," says McLean of Australian rugby when it was dwarfed by rival codes.

"Old blokes like me and other former Wallabies have gained a higher profile in the last few years because of the profile of the current players.

"I think a lot of the blokes are better known now than in their playing days."

Not that McLean is searching for the spotlight, unlike Wallaby prop-turned-commentator Chris Handy who appears to be going out of his way to get some.

But that's another story.

McLean, in his measured voice, measures the success of the World Cup like this:

The 12 flights he has made so far, watching games around Australia's vastness, are among 100,000 intra-state plane bookings directly linked to the tournament.

His own particular backyard, Queensland, has been a jewel in the crown with a staggering number of people turning up to games.

McLean says: "We've had two games in Townsville with 24,000 at each [Japan v Scotland and France]. That's the sort of crowd the Broncos draw up there.

"When you've got 32,000 tickets pre-sold six months in advance to see England against Uruguay, you start to shake your head.

"It's the once-in-a-lifetime factor, and the tickets have been priced well.

"But it's one thing getting people to games, another whether it is going to be a good game or not.

"Even games that haven't been so good ... people have got behind these visiting teams and enjoyed it, created a carnival atmosphere.

"The Scottish team the other night were just amazed at the amount of support they had [versus the USA]. People have adopted these teams, and away they go."

The ARU should reach the A$45 million maximum profit it is allowed under the IRB rules.

None of this has been earmarked yet, and McLean says the ARU wants to keep a significant war chest to cover for uncertainties that lie ahead over the next decade.

But, naturally, a good portion of the money will be supplied "all the way down the food chain".

"While it is all rosy at the moment, we need a lot of hard work to derive all the benefits out of it that we possibly can," he says.

He doesn't believe rugby should aim to be the number one code in Australia, describing it as a "silly" goal and pointing out that Aussie rules has a grip on football hearts.

"The most numbers doesn't mean you are satisfying all your objectives."

"And so far, this World Cup seems to going pretty well.

"Even guys who played in the first World Cup, like David Kirk, are shaking their heads in amazement. It's completely different to what they experienced ... the scale of the crowds and the enthusiasm."

* Could New Zealand be about to get another Super 12 team?

It's a longshot, with the introduction of one Australian team (and thus a bye) the most likely change.

The World Cup success gives Australia's bid for a fourth team a decent leg up. McLean said there was talk of a two-division Super 16, and media reports include Japan in an expansion.

McLean told the Herald: "I heard over the weekend for the first time the mention of a Super 15, which would mean an additional team in each country."

Although top-heavy Australia probably wants a six month Super 12 which fits its idea of what a club-style competition should be, New Zealand and South Africa want to protect their domestic tournaments.

Sanzar research 18 months ago decided that only more tests would boost revenue, meaning Australia faces a battle to satisfy its domestic rugby needs.