RUGBY RALLY CRY

OUR vox pop on the streets produced no surprises. People did not have a clue the Wallabies play a Test against Argentina at Robina on September 15.

There is a fear in Gold Coast rugby circles that crowd numbers for this first international here in five years could be worse than last time when about 14,000 turned up to watch Australia play – coincidentally – Argentina.

A poor showing this time may condemn the city and its rugby fans to another five years in Test purgatory.

This then is a rallying cry.

Gold Coasters and the football public across southeast Queensland have to get behind the event. We need to fill that stadium. Robina was packed for the Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games, so the interest is there if nurtured.

If it fails, it will be a sports tragedy – but the Gold Coast should not wear the blame.

Rugby Australia has been missing in action in promoting the Test. If should be doing a huge amount more than “community engagement’’ and holding off starting a marketing plan until next week.