Former Wallabies full-back Greg Martin believes that not even Joe Schmidt can turn Rugby Australia\u2019s fortunes around.<\/p>\n
Martin hit out at Australia\u2019s tactics and the head coach\u2019s selections in the series-opening defeat to the British and Irish Lions.<\/p>\n
While he predicts that the Wallabies can turn things around in the second Test, his overall view of the game in Australia is bleak.<\/p>\n
The good news<\/p>\n
This despite the massive influx of cash Rugby Australia<\/a> will receive for hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2027 and wiping their debt with the Lions tour.<\/p>\n After dissecting the performance of Schmidt\u2019s charges in the first Test and detailing how \u201chorrible\u201d a series defeat would be on Martin Devlin\u2019s DSPN podcast, he turned to the positives from hosting the Lions<\/a> tour.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are two things. The good news is that $80 million that Rugby Australia borrowed from that private equity firm, if we don\u2019t pay that back, that firm owns Australian Rugby. The good news is that it will be paid off by the end of this weekend. Extraordinary. That\u2019s how much money we\u2019re ripping out of these tourists,\u201d Martin<\/a> said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we\u2019ll be in the black again by the end of the Sydney Test. Fabulous. But if it doesn\u2019t excite rugby fans, it\u2019s of no use going forward.<\/p>\n \u201cI know the World Cup will then make us money, and we\u2019ll have money by the end of 2027, we\u2019ll be flush with funds, that\u2019s great. But if we don\u2019t compete properly against these Lions, no one cares. And more so, rugby doesn\u2019t get good in Australia again and doesn\u2019t get popular until we beat you bastards [the All Blacks].\u201d<\/p>\n Ex-Wallaby: Another Australian defeat will be \u2018horrible\u2019 as British and Irish Lions are \u2018thrashing us at half pace\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Joe Schmidt: Key Will Skelton trait as Wallabies boss keeps snubbed star \u2018close by\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Wallabies team: Winners and losers as \u2018mammoth unit\u2019 returns but Joe Schmidt snubs \u2018frightening prospect\u2019 against the Lions<\/a><\/p>\n Joe Schmidt isn\u2019t the Wallabies\u2019 saviour<\/p>\n For Martin, New Zealand remain the benchmark for Australia and until they break the All Blacks\u2019 stronghold on the Bledisloe Cup, rugby won\u2019t rival the other sporting codes Down Under.<\/p>\n