Tim Elliott's April 3 cover story 'Union Blues' looks at why rugby union has suffered such a steep decline in popularity and prestige since the glory years of the 1990s. He is joined in conversation by columnist and author Peter FitzSimons, with moderation from Good Weekend deputy editor Greg Callaghan. They discuss everything from rugby's private school base and the encroachment of AFL in previous rugby strongholds to the Israel Folau saga and rugby's great new hope, a free-to-air $100 million broadcast deal with Nine.

Link to the story: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/zero-scrum-game-is-it-too-late-to-save-rugby-union-20210203-p56z7r.html

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Tim Elliott's April 3 cover story <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/zero-scrum-game-is-it-too-late-to-save-rugby-union-20210203-p56z7r.html">'Union Blues'</a>&nbsp;looks at why rugby union has suffered such a steep decline in popularity and prestige since the glory years of the 1990s. He is joined in conversation by columnist and author Peter FitzSimons, with moderation from&nbsp;Good Weekend&nbsp;deputy editor Greg Callaghan. They&nbsp;discuss everything from rugby's private school base and the encroachment of AFL in previous rugby strongholds to the Israel Folau saga and rugby's great new hope, a free-to-air $100 million broadcast deal with Nine.
Link to the story: <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/zero-scrum-game-is-it-too-late-to-save-rugby-union-20210203-p56z7r.html">https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/zero-scrum-game-is-it-too-late-to-save-rugby-union-20210203-p56z7r.html</a>
Become a subscriber: our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe <a href="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/" aria-describedby="slack-kit-tooltip">https://subscribe.theage.com.au/</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/" aria-describedby="slack-kit-tooltip">https://subscribe.smh.com.au/</a>
Please take the time to rate &amp; review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We love to hear your thoughts and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find us.

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.

Good Weekend Talks features in-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts, business and beyond, interviewed weekly by the country's top journalists. Consider it a magazine for your ears.