Super Rugby 2025
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A bit of insight into attendance figures and viewership, mainly from last week.
The Chiefs and Hurricanes each attracted around 11,000 people to each of their games last weekend.
The Crusaders had the bye.
Sky, who along with sports streaming giant DAZN are in discussions with NZ Rugby about the next broadcasting rights deal, may have trumpeted an improvement in viewership but it's hard not to feel underwhelmed when games are played in front of so many empty seats.
A press release from Sky Sport says 1.4 million people have watched the first three rounds of Super Rugby Pacific. Sky says that is a 12 percent rise on last year.
The Hurricanes-Blues fixture was the most popular with 500,000 viewers.
People are tuning in to their screens, we are told. They are just not turning up to the stadiums.
Not in large volumes, anyway.
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
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@Duluth said in Super Rugby 2025:
NZ sides have the most injuries
A 23 of NZ players listed as unavailable for this week:
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Finlay Brewis
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Asafo Aumua
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Tyrel Lomax
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Sam Darry
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Josh Lord
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Wallace Sititi
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Dalton Papali'i
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Hoskins Sotutu
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Noah Hotham
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Damian McKenzie
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Etene Nanai-Seturo
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Riley Higgins
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Billy Proctor
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Kade Banks
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Zarn Sullivan
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George Bell
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PJ Sheck
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Seb Calder
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Jamie Hannah
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Luke Jacobson
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Taufa Funaki
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Stephen Perofeta
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Rameka Poihipi
Thats a lot of talent we're missing out on
@Trig said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Duluth said in Super Rugby 2025:
NZ sides have the most injuries
A 23 of NZ players listed as unavailable for this week:
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Finlay Brewis
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Asafo Aumua
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Tyrel Lomax
-
Sam Darry
-
Josh Lord
-
Wallace Sititi
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Dalton Papali'i
-
Hoskins Sotutu
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Noah Hotham
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Damian McKenzie
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Etene Nanai-Seturo
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Riley Higgins
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Billy Proctor
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Kade Banks
-
Zarn Sullivan
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George Bell
-
PJ Sheck
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Seb Calder
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Jamie Hannah
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Luke Jacobson
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Taufa Funaki
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Stephen Perofeta
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Rameka Poihipi
Thats a lot of talent we're missing out on
A pretty good NZ A/ midweek team esp in the loosies and interesting in the backs..
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
True Kiwi, also the fact they that Warriors are only kiwi team? And in the highest level of the sport (most think NRL is more important than tests? I agree soccer are doing well, as the attract a lot of people from overseas origins etc. While both should be happy with their crowds etc, I don't think we actually comparing similar comps.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Which are more affordable. That's exactly it, Super Rugby games are way too expensive for families to head a long. Prices for a Canes game at Sky Stadium haven't changed for 20 years.
Mils said it perfectly on the Breakdown, Super Rugby still has a long way to go in terms of fandom. He went to buy a kids Chiefs jersey the other day and it was priced at $150, I mean come on. Apparently Auckland FC jerseys are half that price, no wonder they've sold approximately 22,000 of them.
Super Rugby have to meet the market and they'll likely get bigger crowds. They also have to incentivise people to go along by playing more day games, introducing more fun things to do and see around the game and they also need to improve the food, the shit they serve up at the Tin is a joke for what you pay for it.
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Have to also take into account the momentum of those respective A-league and NRL sides.
Auckland FC are a shiny new toy at the top of the table. Over the last couple of months fans have been able to watch football in Auckland, in the sun and see their team win. It is a novelty.
Phoenix are back to being shit. Since bringing in 26k against Auckland, they haven't cracked 10k. Two recent crowds have been 5,700 and 4,800 respectively.
If the Warriors continue the way they started expext their crowds to dramatically drop off, and sit around the 10 - 15k mark. Sellouts will drop off when the team gets flogged.
Super crowds especially in the big cities are poorer than they should be. But they are generally better than other sports. Especially when the teams are rolling out average performances.
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Have to also take into account the momentum of those respective A-league and NRL sides.
Auckland FC are a shiny new toy at the top of the table. Over the last couple of months fans have been able to watch football in Auckland, in the sun and see their team win. It is a novelty.
Phoenix are back to being shit. Since bringing in 26k against Auckland, they haven't cracked 10k. Two recent crowds have been 5,700 and 4,800 respectively.
If the Warriors continue the way they started expext their crowds to dramatically drop off, and sit around the 10 - 15k mark. Sellouts will drop off when the team gets flogged.
Super crowds especially in the big cities are poorer than they should be. But they are generally better than other sports. Especially when the teams are rolling out average performances.
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2025:
Have to also take into account the momentum of those respective A-league and NRL sides.
Auckland FC are a shiny new toy at the top of the table. Over the last couple of months fans have been able to watch football in Auckland, in the sun and see their team win. It is a novelty.
Phoenix are back to being shit. Since bringing in 26k against Auckland, they haven't cracked 10k. Two recent crowds have been 5,700 and 4,800 respectively.
If the Warriors continue the way they started expext their crowds to dramatically drop off, and sit around the 10 - 15k mark. Sellouts will drop off when the team gets flogged.
Super crowds especially in the big cities are poorer than they should be. But they are generally better than other sports. Especially when the teams are rolling out average performances.
Super Rugby crowds should be better based on the product we've seen over the first three weeks. The cost of attending and the match-day experience are both key items that need to be addressed to entice bigger crowds in future. They also simply have to make it more affordable in today's economic climate.
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@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2025:
Have to also take into account the momentum of those respective A-league and NRL sides.
Auckland FC are a shiny new toy at the top of the table. Over the last couple of months fans have been able to watch football in Auckland, in the sun and see their team win. It is a novelty.
Phoenix are back to being shit. Since bringing in 26k against Auckland, they haven't cracked 10k. Two recent crowds have been 5,700 and 4,800 respectively.
If the Warriors continue the way they started expext their crowds to dramatically drop off, and sit around the 10 - 15k mark. Sellouts will drop off when the team gets flogged.
Super crowds especially in the big cities are poorer than they should be. But they are generally better than other sports. Especially when the teams are rolling out average performances.
Super Rugby crowds should be better based on the product we've seen over the first three weeks. The cost of attending and the match-day experience are both key items that need to be addressed to entice bigger crowds in future. They also simply have to make it more affordable in today's economic climate.
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2025:
Have to also take into account the momentum of those respective A-league and NRL sides.
Auckland FC are a shiny new toy at the top of the table. Over the last couple of months fans have been able to watch football in Auckland, in the sun and see their team win. It is a novelty.
Phoenix are back to being shit. Since bringing in 26k against Auckland, they haven't cracked 10k. Two recent crowds have been 5,700 and 4,800 respectively.
If the Warriors continue the way they started expext their crowds to dramatically drop off, and sit around the 10 - 15k mark. Sellouts will drop off when the team gets flogged.
Super crowds especially in the big cities are poorer than they should be. But they are generally better than other sports. Especially when the teams are rolling out average performances.
Super Rugby crowds should be better based on the product we've seen over the first three weeks. The cost of attending and the match-day experience are both key items that need to be addressed to entice bigger crowds in future. They also simply have to make it more affordable in today's economic climate.
I'm not arguing that improvements can't be made around attendance with Super. I'm just saying there is more to the story than, just look at the big crowds with other sports.
Looking at the teams, there is always a why for crowd issues. That goes beyond price.
Highlanders: Good stadium. Over the last few years, the performances have been shit. No one wants to go, even to a good stadium on a cold night to watch their team lose. Hopefully the numbers build against the Canes, and if they win again the momentum will continue. Interestingly the Highlanders will only sell the northern stand once with Southern Speights stand is sold out.
Crusaders: Apollo Projects Stadium is just so shit. A temporary stadium well past its used by stadium. Even if the Crusaders continue to battle, the first couple of years with One NZ Stadium will be sell outs. As it will just be a massive step up from the temp shithole at Addington.
Hurricanes: I just don't really enjoy Westpac Stadium. It is fine on a nice evening. Just very difficult to get a decent view. Primarily due to being one of the last multi-purpose stadiums built in NZ. On a shit night the wind whips around and it doesn't matter how high you sit, you can get pumped by it and hit by rain. Getting along the Fran Wilde walk with a northerly in the rain is unpleasant experience even before the game starts.
Chiefs: FMG looks awesome on a decent night. Not a lot of coverage on a rubbish night. Haven't been there.
Blues: Eden Park is just so big. Even a crowd of 25k looks small.
MP: 10k would be great.
Price decreases will help, as well as ongoing improvement to crowd experience will see upwards changes to crowd numbers. Would be interesting to see what breakeven points may be.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2025:
Have to also take into account the momentum of those respective A-league and NRL sides.
Auckland FC are a shiny new toy at the top of the table. Over the last couple of months fans have been able to watch football in Auckland, in the sun and see their team win. It is a novelty.
Phoenix are back to being shit. Since bringing in 26k against Auckland, they haven't cracked 10k. Two recent crowds have been 5,700 and 4,800 respectively.
If the Warriors continue the way they started expext their crowds to dramatically drop off, and sit around the 10 - 15k mark. Sellouts will drop off when the team gets flogged.
Super crowds especially in the big cities are poorer than they should be. But they are generally better than other sports. Especially when the teams are rolling out average performances.
Super Rugby crowds should be better based on the product we've seen over the first three weeks. The cost of attending and the match-day experience are both key items that need to be addressed to entice bigger crowds in future. They also simply have to make it more affordable in today's economic climate.
I'm not arguing that improvements can't be made around attendance with Super. I'm just saying there is more to the story than, just look at the big crowds with other sports.
Looking at the teams, there is always a why for crowd issues. That goes beyond price.
Highlanders: Good stadium. Over the last few years, the performances have been shit. No one wants to go, even to a good stadium on a cold night to watch their team lose. Hopefully the numbers build against the Canes, and if they win again the momentum will continue. Interestingly the Highlanders will only sell the northern stand once with Southern Speights stand is sold out.
Crusaders: Apollo Projects Stadium is just so shit. A temporary stadium well past its used by stadium. Even if the Crusaders continue to battle, the first couple of years with One NZ Stadium will be sell outs. As it will just be a massive step up from the temp shithole at Addington.
Hurricanes: I just don't really enjoy Westpac Stadium. It is fine on a nice evening. Just very difficult to get a decent view. Primarily due to being one of the last multi-purpose stadiums built in NZ. On a shit night the wind whips around and it doesn't matter how high you sit, you can get pumped by it and hit by rain. Getting along the Fran Wilde walk with a northerly in the rain is unpleasant experience even before the game starts.
Chiefs: FMG looks awesome on a decent night. Not a lot of coverage on a rubbish night. Haven't been there.
Blues: Eden Park is just so big. Even a crowd of 25k looks small.
MP: 10k would be great.
Price decreases will help, as well as ongoing improvement to crowd experience will see upwards changes to crowd numbers. Would be interesting to see what breakeven points may be.
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2025:
Have to also take into account the momentum of those respective A-league and NRL sides.
Auckland FC are a shiny new toy at the top of the table. Over the last couple of months fans have been able to watch football in Auckland, in the sun and see their team win. It is a novelty.
Phoenix are back to being shit. Since bringing in 26k against Auckland, they haven't cracked 10k. Two recent crowds have been 5,700 and 4,800 respectively.
If the Warriors continue the way they started expext their crowds to dramatically drop off, and sit around the 10 - 15k mark. Sellouts will drop off when the team gets flogged.
Super crowds especially in the big cities are poorer than they should be. But they are generally better than other sports. Especially when the teams are rolling out average performances.
Super Rugby crowds should be better based on the product we've seen over the first three weeks. The cost of attending and the match-day experience are both key items that need to be addressed to entice bigger crowds in future. They also simply have to make it more affordable in today's economic climate.
I'm not arguing that improvements can't be made around attendance with Super. I'm just saying there is more to the story than, just look at the big crowds with other sports.
Looking at the teams, there is always a why for crowd issues. That goes beyond price.
Highlanders: Good stadium. Over the last few years, the performances have been shit. No one wants to go, even to a good stadium on a cold night to watch their team lose. Hopefully the numbers build against the Canes, and if they win again the momentum will continue. Interestingly the Highlanders will only sell the northern stand once with Southern Speights stand is sold out.
Crusaders: Apollo Projects Stadium is just so shit. A temporary stadium well past its used by stadium. Even if the Crusaders continue to battle, the first couple of years with One NZ Stadium will be sell outs. As it will just be a massive step up from the temp shithole at Addington.
Hurricanes: I just don't really enjoy Westpac Stadium. It is fine on a nice evening. Just very difficult to get a decent view. Primarily due to being one of the last multi-purpose stadiums built in NZ. On a shit night the wind whips around and it doesn't matter how high you sit, you can get pumped by it and hit by rain. Getting along the Fran Wilde walk with a northerly in the rain is unpleasant experience even before the game starts.
Chiefs: FMG looks awesome on a decent night. Not a lot of coverage on a rubbish night. Haven't been there.
Blues: Eden Park is just so big. Even a crowd of 25k looks small.
MP: 10k would be great.
Price decreases will help, as well as ongoing improvement to crowd experience will see upwards changes to crowd numbers. Would be interesting to see what breakeven points may be.
I get that there are other reasons for crowd figures in other sports, I'm just saying that Super Rugby really need to get with the times and adjust otherwise they'll be left in the dead.
The biggest mistake that Wellington Council made in terms of Sky Stadium was they made it an unroofed, oval stadium. Perfectly fine when the stadium is full and humming, but that's more than often not the case these days.
They should have put some more money into improving the Basin for cricket and they should have kept the waterfront stadium as a rugby, concert venue with a roof. Another failed opportunity.
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Should of, could of, didn't.
From a user experience perspective. Having some form of coverage along the Fran Wilde Walkway would be a big positive. Not going to happen though. Too much money has been paid to Fulton Hogan fixing pipes.
Problem with adjusting price is that if 15k turn up at an average price point of $50. Then 16,500 turn up at an average price point of $35. Then takings drop by $170,000.
What puts me off going to the Stadium in Wellington (unless the Highlanders are playing), is often there are train replacement busses. What is normally a 20 minute train ride, becomes an hour long LOTR journey on a jam packed bus. Then the same home. What should be 40 minutes both ways, before a few beers. Turns into two plus hours for the trip. That would be the main reason people from outside the city just can't be bothered.
Apparel is an interesting question. The cost of Super jerseys is very similar to NRL jerseys. A-league is about $110. NBA about $140 for a singlet. It is all much of a muchness at about $110 to $150.
Timing of games often gets brought up. 7.05 is too late for some. My year old kid goes to bed before then. So can't take him. Afternoon games won't work for people working during the day on weekends or those playing sport. Probably the best option is to have a couple of afternoon games. Just to mix things up.
Reasoning depends. Different reasons for different people. Results, accessibility, weather, time of games,
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
Any Blues fan who supports after the horror run we had with coaching and administration gets to be called passionate. As I say to my wife, proof that I don't give up on a lost cause.
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@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
Any Blues fan who supports after the horror run we had with coaching and administration gets to be called passionate. As I say to my wife, proof that I don't give up on a lost cause.
@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2025:
@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
Any Blues fan who supports after the horror run we had with coaching and administration gets to be called passionate. As I say to my wife, proof that I don't give up on a lost cause.
In general, SR fans in NZ are not as passionate as fans from other teams such as the Wahs, and they know about losing. AFC is still young, the test will be if people still show up after several losing seasons
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@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2025:
@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
Any Blues fan who supports after the horror run we had with coaching and administration gets to be called passionate. As I say to my wife, proof that I don't give up on a lost cause.
In general, SR fans in NZ are not as passionate as fans from other teams such as the Wahs, and they know about losing. AFC is still young, the test will be if people still show up after several losing seasons
@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2025:
@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
Any Blues fan who supports after the horror run we had with coaching and administration gets to be called passionate. As I say to my wife, proof that I don't give up on a lost cause.
In general, SR fans in NZ are not as passionate as fans from other teams such as the Wahs, and they know about losing. AFC is still young, the test will be if people still show up after several losing seasons
NRL is properly tribal.
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@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2025:
@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
Any Blues fan who supports after the horror run we had with coaching and administration gets to be called passionate. As I say to my wife, proof that I don't give up on a lost cause.
In general, SR fans in NZ are not as passionate as fans from other teams such as the Wahs, and they know about losing. AFC is still young, the test will be if people still show up after several losing seasons
NRL is properly tribal.
@nzzp i feel thats because theyre clubs rather than "regions", on the surface they still push the "locals playing around" the corner angle, no matter how professional they become
@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2025:
@canefan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
BIG REASON: PEOPLE JUST CAN'T AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW.
Yet they can afford to go to Warriors and Auckland FC games......
Both have large numbers of passionate fans. I don't think I'd use that word to describe most Blues fans... Or perhaps most NZ SR fans. Most of us are more happy to watch on TV than head to the ground
Any Blues fan who supports after the horror run we had with coaching and administration gets to be called passionate. As I say to my wife, proof that I don't give up on a lost cause.
In general, SR fans in NZ are not as passionate as fans from other teams such as the Wahs, and they know about losing. AFC is still young, the test will be if people still show up after several losing seasons
partly it will depend on how long they can keep the winning going, if they can keep the winning going long enough for the idea of going every week to become normal for people, it will be less of a flash in the pan, it will be people routine
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The A-league also runs during the best past of the year weather wise. With the season going from October to May. 20odd degrees in Auckland, go and watch some footy. How good.
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I don't know who is responsible - SRP, NZR, the Hurricanes or the Drua themselves, but this is piss poor.
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i think, from what i have read, it's the bus company's fault. And rather than wait for another bus they just piled in to the gear truck?
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reading through it and it feels like the bus thing was the bus companies fault...you book it and it doesnt turn up...not sure what any of those parties could have done
re the hotel it kind of depends on if they requested one before, i think most hotels would struggle to give a late checkout for i dont know 20 rooms assuming theyre doubling up. Id like to know a bit more about their travel plans, they drive back to wellington that night and flew out?
i could be wrong, maybe the competition arranges all this stuff
