Blues 2024
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@Nepia said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:
Not to forget from the copyrighted "greatest sporting comp in the world" that we must always compare NZ rugby with
Crowds have more to do with the competition as a whole. There's only been 3 EP games this year and the games against Aussies sides haven't attracted interest. A game against a full strength NZ side should bump the average up a lot this weekend
I would argue the lack of positivity from the media is a big factor too. I don't dislike RL but I find the constant fluffing annoying when compared to the endless negativity around everything rugby. When the game had positive coverage a couple of years ago (BB signing etc) crowds were consistently in the mid 20k, multiple times above 30k and even got 45k for a match
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@Duluth said in Blues 2024:
@Nepia said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:
Not to forget from the copyrighted "greatest sporting comp in the world" that we must always compare NZ rugby with
Crowds have more to do with the competition as a whole. There's only been 3 EP games this year and the games against Aussies sides haven't attracted interest. A game against a full strength NZ side should bump the average up a lot this weekend
I would argue the lack of positivity from the media is a big factor too. I don't dislike RL but I find the constant fluffing annoying when compared to the endless negativity around everything rugby. When the game had positive coverage a couple of years ago (BB signing etc) crowds were consistently in the mid 20k, multiple times above 30k and even got 45k for a match
The fluffing of the Warriors (and that saying I hate) might push me back to my almost hate watching of the Warriors of a few years back. Especially as they're not backing up the hype train on the field so far this year
But, I don't get why the NZ media are so down on rugby, I mean I understand why Devlin is the Warriors biggest cheerleader, that's his shtick now and fit's with his media home, but I don't know about the rest of it.
The recently released viewing numbers should be some positive to balance out all the negative yet they're not making too much of a ripple.
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More details on Suafoa’s season
… he would have to undergo six weeks of radiation treatment (every weekday from February 26 to April 9) as an extra precaution. What followed almost defied belief. He continued to train, and even appeared in two Super Rugby Pacific matches through his radiation treatment (starting against the Hurricanes in round 3, and then coming off the bench the next week against the Waratahs in Sydney), until fatigue and ongoing fitness challenges finally got the better of him. -
In terms of TV audience, the Rugby World Cup comes third after the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games. I doubt that the RL will ever reach this level. Rugby's loss of audience is only regional (Australia and New Zealand). In Europe and Japan, stadium attendances and TV audiences are breaking records. The Leinster - Northampton semi-final drew 80,000 spectators on Saturday.
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An interview with Laghlan McWhannell
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350270429/blues-lock-laghlan-mcwhannell-finally-gets-super-rugby-chance-after-shocking-injuryGood to see some better rugby coverage recently
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@cgrant said in Blues 2024:
In terms of TV audience, the Rugby World Cup comes third after the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games. I doubt that the RL will ever reach this level. Rugby's loss of audience is only regional (Australia and New Zealand). In Europe and Japan, stadium attendances and TV audiences are breaking records. The Leinster - Northampton semi-final drew 80,000 spectators on Saturday.
well, you know, more like 11th, after 3 soccer tournaments, two different olympics, Wimbledon, the Superbowl, and the NBA finals.
but your point about the European club game is super valid, and links in to @Duluth point about the competition. It's got history, and most importantly prestige. Also fans and media don't seem to spend their entire time either badmouthing the comp or talking about it in terms of international hopes.
For all that though, is there any domestic rugby comp in the world that is sustainable? English clubs are falling over themselves to go under. French clubs appear to be backed up by owners. Same in Japan. Are the players just paid too damn much for what they actually bring in? (at club level i mean).
Sorry, just realised this is the Blues thread.
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Sotutu signed with the Blues until the end of the 2026 season
Hoskins Sotutu Re-signed till 2026 — Blues Rugby
Powerhouse No.8 and form player of DHL Super Rugby Pacific, Hoskins Sotutu, has extended his time at the Blues through to the end of the 2026 season. Sotutu, a pivotal figure in the Blues squad, has shown outstanding form throughout the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season, solidifying his status as
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@mariner4life said in Blues 2024:
@cgrant said in Blues 2024:
In terms of TV audience, the Rugby World Cup comes third after the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games. I doubt that the RL will ever reach this level. Rugby's loss of audience is only regional (Australia and New Zealand). In Europe and Japan, stadium attendances and TV audiences are breaking records. The Leinster - Northampton semi-final drew 80,000 spectators on Saturday.
well, you know, more like 11th, after 3 soccer tournaments, two different olympics, Wimbledon, the Superbowl, and the NBA finals.
but your point about the European club game is super valid, and links in to @Duluth point about the competition. It's got history, and most importantly prestige. Also fans and media don't seem to spend their entire time either badmouthing the comp or talking about it in terms of international hopes.
For all that though, is there any domestic rugby comp in the world that is sustainable? English clubs are falling over themselves to go under. French clubs appear to be backed up by owners. Same in Japan. Are the players just paid too damn much for what they actually bring in? (at club level i mean).
Sorry, just realised this is the Blues thread.
French clubs are doing fine and not relying sugar daddies, their TV contact is big 550 million US for for years
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Toyota Verblitz did not make the semi finals so BB should be finished in Japan. Might be perfect timing with Sullivan likely gone for the rest of the comp. As good as Coles and Plummer have been depth and experience are always good.
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From that interview last week, players like BB can’t play in the finals and would require a dispensation to play in the regular season. He specifically referred to Barrett if I recall.
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@Duluth said in Blues 2024:
Do you break up the 9/10 partnership when Christie returns? Another close call
I suspect it will happen but it would be a mistake in my view. Funaki's error rate is miles lower than Chrstie's and he suits the way the Blues play.
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An interview with Forbes:
Emerging Blues star credits Scotland stint for growing through youthful impatience
Forbes returned to New Zealand in 2023 after two and half seasons in Scotland with the Glasgow Warriors. He’s proved to be a revelation.
