No 'magic bullet' for Super Rugby's crowd crisis: Castle

Interestingly these crowd attendances arent available online anywhere so I doubt the below article truely reflects the current state of crowd numbers.

Alot of this years attendance numbers have not been announced and not available in any articles , or even on the ozstadiums website.

You could probably drop 2k off each of those averages pretty easily and I reckon it woukd be a more accurated reflection of the true state of attendances in Super Rugby.

Quote:

---

No 'magic bullet' for Super Rugby's crowd crisis: Castle

By Georgina Robinson and Chris Dutton

June 19, 2019 — 4.43pm
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Whatsapp
Send via Email
Normal text sizeLarger text sizeVery large text size
24
View all comments

Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle has admitted there is no "magic bullet" in the fight to arrest the alarming crowd slide in Super Rugby as the Brumbies look to avoid a potential $100,000 financial hit this weekend.

Australia's only Super Rugby finalists recorded their second lowest home crowd averages in history this year (8509) and are pleading with fans to support them in their quarter final clash with the Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

The Brumbies are begging fans to support the team against the Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.
The Brumbies are begging fans to support the team against the Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. CREDIT:SITTHIXAY DITTHAVONG

Regular season home game attendances across Australia's four teams fell one per cent to 10,450. The Waratahs were Australia's top drawcard but were still poor by their own standards, welcoming an average of just 13,069 through the gates for eight games spread across the Sydney Cricket Ground, Bankwest Stadium, Brookvale Oval and McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

The Reds averaged 11,352 - despite the Crusaders drawing their best crowd in two years (17,676) - and the Rebels also struggled. The Shute Shield's Manly vs Warringah northern beaches derby two weeks ago drew more than 8000 to Manly Oval.

Advertisement


Sydney-based NRL teams are averaging crowds of 15,899 so far this season, with the Roosters (21,499) and Cronulla (12,034) the outliers, according to website afltables.com. In the AFL the Swans are averaging 31,136 per game, while GWS are averaging 11,535.

Castle acknowledged the trend was a concern and said while competition reforms expected in 2021 would help there was no easy fix.

"Obviously it’s a concern. It’s a concern for sport across Australia really. There’s a lot of codes, particularly in the Sydney market, are finding that it’s quite challenging," she said. "There’s no magic bullet, it’s about a lot of hard work.

"The conference formula is probaly not ideal, it creates confusion and that’s why we’re going to a straight round robin in the new broadcast deal.

"It's a combination of working closely with the clubs, making sure we’re communicating well the upsides with fans, and working with our broadcasters in Fox [Sports] to make sure they’re doing all they can to help us, which they're really open to."

Advertisement

The poor crowds are putting enormous pressure on teams' finances. For the Brumbies, a home finals match should be good news, giving the team an on-field advantage and the business an opportunity to rake in extra cash through ticket sales.

Brookvale Oval has been a hit with Waratahs fans for two seasons in a row.
Brookvale Oval has been a hit with Waratahs fans for two seasons in a row. CREDIT:AAP

However, the Brumbies have to pay $75,000 to the Sharks as per a Super Rugby agreement to give visiting teams a share of the finals prizemoney.

The size of the Brumbies' prizemoney, however, will depend on how many people turn up to Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

A low crowd would mean dipping into their own pockets to cover costs. But it is hoped winning momentum will help carry them to a crowd closer to 12,000 or 13,000 instead of the 6311 who turned up to a clash against the Pretoria Bulls last month.

Advertisement

Crowd numbers jumped by more than 3000 last week when the Brumbies beat the Queensland Reds.

"The low crowds aren't sustainable from a business side of things. The people of Canberra need to show their support for the Brumbies and their appreciation for how they've performed," Brumbies boss Phil Thomson said.

NSW Rugby boss Andrew Hore said a 10 per cent rise in Super Rugby ratings on Fox Sports and strong crowds for some Shute Shield games showed interest in rugby was still strong.

"All teams across all sports are struggling with crowds. We have to find a niche in the market and we're up for the challenge of finding that point of difference," he said. "There's actually good crowds at the Shute Shield, broadcast figures show there's still an interest.

"It's about getting the unity back into the game in NSW so it's all linking back into the state team."

---

Haha the average is 10500 as predicted in another thread. Interestingly the rebels actual figure is not mentioned, just "struggled"

Complete BS of course (other than rebels "struggling"), if the Tahrds were drawing 13500 to those games I'm Blind Pew. They were not even drawing 10k to those games in Parramatta!

They can take comfort inFox numbers, who despite losing $470m, threatening to ditch Rugby content, and losing WA as a market, magically had an increase in viewership. #whoathunkit

Mean while

Australia face crisis as the country's best first-fives and halfbacks exit Super Rugby

19 June, 2:29am
Australia is facing a halves crisis following this year’s World Cup in Japan, with a raft of Wallaby halfbacks and first-fives set to ply their trade overseas next year.

According to a report from the Daily Telegraph, the three leading first-five candidates to travel to the World Cup – Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper and Christian Leali’ifano – will all be playing club rugby in Japan next year as part of a mass exodus from the southern hemisphere.


Leali’ifano announced his departure from the Brumbies earlier this week, as he will head to the Japanese Top League to play for the NTT Communications Shining Arcs.

Following that, the Telegraph has also revealed that Foley is in deep discussions with Top League side Kubota Spears, and is expected to announce a two-year deal – which will see him end his nine-year association with the Waratahs – shortly.

Cooper will also be heading to Japan next year, linking up with long-time halves partner Will Genia at the Kintetsu Liners for the next two seasons.

Genia, a 100-test veteran, isn’t the only experienced halfback set to leave Australia at the end of the year, with 71-test Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps set to join London Irish in the Premiership following the World Cup.

The loss of five key players will leave Australian Super Rugby clubs scrambling for suitable replacements, as Rebels playmaker Matt Toomua will be left as the only internationally capped first-five left in the country, although he spends a lot of time in the midfield at second-five.

The return of Nic White from Premiership club Exeter will aide the loss of Genia and Phipps, but the latter duo provide at least six more years’ of Wallabies experience than White, back-up Waratahs scrumhalf Jake Gordon, and Brumbies star Joe Powell.

Internationally, the Wallabies should be unaffected, as under the Giteau Law, the national side can still re-call Foley, Cooper, Genia and Phipps for tests as they have all surpassed the 60-test threshold and have played professionally in Australia for at least seven years.

However, it will be at Super Rugby level where Australian sides will begin to feel the pinch of the exodus north.

Rugby Australia has moved to sign the next generation of players – almost all of the Australian U20 side that has qualified for the World

Rugby U20 Championship final have been signed to franchises next year – but the mass defection of players comes at an inconvenient time, according to the Telegraph.

Rugby Australia is attempting to secure its financial future as it negotiates a new broadcast deal which is set to come into play from 2021 onwards, but it’s doing so without the support of a number of its current star players.

Israel Folau, arguably the union’s premier talent, has been sacked for his controversial and vocal standpoint on homosexuality, while David Pocock and Samu Kerevi will join Foley, Cooper, Genia and Leali’ifano in the Top League next year.

Adding to Rugby Australia’s woes is that for the fourth season in a row, just one Australian Super Rugby franchise has managed to qualify for the competition’s post-season.

That is a particularly devastating blow this year, given that the Reds, Rebels, Brumbies and Waratahs were all in the running to make the top eight in the closing stages of the competition, but only the Brumbies were able to lock in a spot in the quarter-finals.

While the current competition structure – which guarantees at least one team from each conference will make the play-offs, regardless of their points total – is in place for 2020, the axing of the Sunwolves in 2021 means that Super Rugby will revert back to a 14-team, round-robin structure that was last used from between 2006 and 2010.

The change means that only six teams will make the play-offs, and with no conference system in place, there can be no guarantee of Australian sides competing in the post-season, especially with such a significant loss of talent at the end of this year.

The competition’s governing body, SANZAAR, are currently in negotiations with World Rugby regarding a potential global international league, dubbed the Nations Championship, to be held annually between test sides which would bring in millions of dollars of additional revenue for Rugby Australia.

Bolstering the coffers of Rugby Australia is vital to the sustainability of rugby within Australia, especially as they prepare to front a legal battle with Folau over his sacking.

The courtroom dispute has the potential to bankrupt the nation’s governing body, as reports suggest Folau could sue his former employers for up to $10 million in damages.

As it stands, the only resistance from bringing the Nations Championship to fruition is coming from some members of the Six Nations in Europe.

SANZAAR’s back-up option would be to continue with the Rugby Championship, but expand it to a six-team tournament, with the inclusions of Japan and the United States, the Telegraph report said.

However, it is believed that current Australian broadcaster, Fox Sports, is looking to cut expenditure on rugby from beyond the 2021 broadcast deal due to the sport’s floundering relevance within the Australian sporting landscape.

Consequently, the dismal success of the Wallabies and Australian Super Rugby franchises, combined with the possibility of the Nations Championship proposal falling through, as well as the Folau
legal proceedings, could leave Rugby Australia in an extremely dire state.

Wallabies leaving Australia at the end of 2019:

Japan – Quade Cooper, Will Genia (both Kintetsu Liners), Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears), Christian Leali’ifano (NTT Communications Shining Arcs), Samu Kerevi (Suntory Sungoliath), David Pocock (Panasonic Wild Knights)

England – Nick Phipps, Adam Coleman, Sekope Kepu, Curtis Rona (all London Irish)

France – Rory Arnold (Toulouse), Sefa Naivalu (Stade Francais),
Caleb Timu (Montpellier), Scott Higginbotham (Bordeaux), Duncan Paia’aua (Toulon)

Ireland – Sam Carter (Ulster)

Yet to commit – Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JSJ

The competition’s governing body, SANZAAR, are currently in negotiations with World Rugby regarding a potential global international league, dubbed the Nations Championship, to be held annually between test sides which would bring in millions of dollars of additional revenue for Rugby Australia.

Bolstering the coffers of Rugby Australia is vital to the sustainability of rugby within Australia, especially as they prepare to front a legal battle with Folau over his sacking.

The courtroom dispute has the potential to bankrupt the nation’s governing body, as reports suggest Folau could sue his former employers for up to $10 million in damages.

As it stands, the only resistance from bringing the Nations Championship to fruition is coming from some members of the Six Nations in Europe.

SANZAAR’s back-up option would be to continue with the Rugby Championship, but expand it to a six-team tournament, with the inclusions of Japan and the United States, the Telegraph report said.

However, it is believed that current Australian broadcaster, Fox Sports, is looking to cut expenditure on rugby from beyond the 2021 broadcast deal due to the sport’s floundering relevance within the Australian sporting landscape.

Consequently, the dismal success of the Wallabies and Australian Super Rugby franchises, combined with the possibility of the Nations Championship proposal falling through, as well as the Folau
legal proceedings, could leave Rugby Australia in an extremely dire state.

---

And as we now know Scotland and Ireland have ended any dream of National Champs going ahead, so as noted above the situation for RA is dire

This bit means that Michael McDonald and Carlo Tizzano must have been signed up by Super Rugby teams over east and not the Force.

The Future Force Foundation needs to change its name to drop the word “Force”.

“Rugby Australia has moved to sign the next generation of players – almost all of the Australian U20 side that has qualified for the World Rugby U20 Championship final have been signed to franchises next year – but the mass defection of players comes at an inconvenient time, according to the Telegraph.”

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JSJ

Consequently, the dismal success of the Wallabies and Australian Super Rugby franchises, combined with the possibility of the Nations Championship proposal falling through, as well as the Folau
legal proceedings, could leave Rugby Australia in an extremely dire state.

Wallabies leaving Australia at the end of 2019:

Japan – Quade Cooper, Will Genia (both Kintetsu Liners), Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears), Christian Leali’ifano (NTT Communications Shining Arcs), Samu Kerevi (Suntory Sungoliath), David Pocock (Panasonic Wild Knights)

England – Nick Phipps, Adam Coleman, Sekope Kepu, Curtis Rona (all London Irish)

France – Rory Arnold (Toulouse), Sefa Naivalu (Stade Francais),
Caleb Timu (Montpellier), Scott Higginbotham (Bordeaux), Duncan Paia’aua (Toulon)

Ireland – Sam Carter (Ulster)

Yet to commit – Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt

---

All hands abandon ship comes to mind.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alison

This bit means that Michael McDonald and Carlo Tizzano must have been signed up by Super Rugby teams over east and not the Force.

The Future Force Foundation needs to change its name to drop the word “Force”.

“Rugby Australia has moved to sign the next generation of players – almost all of the Australian U20 side that has qualified for the World Rugby U20 Championship final have been signed to franchises next year – but the mass defection of players comes at an inconvenient time, according to the Telegraph.”

---

All depends on your meaning of 'almost' and if a Force signing counts as 'locked up'...

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson quits, leaving NSW team in limbo

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has resigned after four seasons in charge.

The Waratahs will announce his departure on Friday afternoon after he told the playing group on Friday morning.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-u...21-p51zvu.html

:iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl: :iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl: :iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl::iconrofl:

Bring back Ewen McKenzie

Surely Gibson isn't leaving on his own terms? Where will he get a job after failing to lead arguably the most expensive team in Australian rugby (arguably because of the Rebels) to a final?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GIGS20

Surely Gibson isn't leaving on his own terms? Where will he get a job after failing to lead arguably the most expensive team in Australian rugby (arguably because of the Rebels) to a final?

---

On the RA board

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alison

This bit means that Michael McDonald and Carlo Tizzano must have been signed up by Super Rugby teams over east and not the Force.

The Future Force Foundation needs to change its name to drop the word “Force”.

“Rugby Australia has moved to sign the next generation of players – almost all of the Australian U20 side that has qualified for the World Rugby U20 Championship final have been signed to franchises next year – but the mass defection of players comes at an inconvenient time, according to the Telegraph.”

---

I've heard McDonald has the Tahs tapping on his shoulder and the Wests 8 (Mcaskill i think his name is) heading to Japan which you cant really fault! Be interesting to see what could be done to keep them here until GRR gets traction and recognition. its such a small window to make a living for these guys. Shame there are no associated pathways and just the ARU u18 comp which sees us as a back water. 20s seems to have tapered off too.
These two (Carlo and Michael have done a great job getting recognised, shame we cant reward it).

Gibson did lead them to the finals, but then also their worst ever season, and now this years abject disaster. Mind you, Cheikas results with exactly the same players (but in gold) has been equally appalling, and he is the world's best coach

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alison

This bit means that Michael McDonald and Carlo Tizzano must have been signed up by Super Rugby teams over east and not the Force.

The Future Force Foundation needs to change its name to drop the word “Force”.

“Rugby Australia has moved to sign the next generation of players – almost all of the Australian U20 side that has qualified for the World Rugby U20 Championship final have been signed to franchises next year – but the mass defection of players comes at an inconvenient time, according to the Telegraph.”

---

Signing all of the under 20s is not a wise thing to do as not every player in a batch is not going to make it. The provinces will be stuck with paying players who won’t. You would want to aim for at least half the squad on contracts and the rest at least playing 1st Grade. That’s what Ireland did in 2016.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bakkies

Signing all of the under 20s is not a wise thing to do as not every player in a batch is not going to make it...

---

Of course not, but that is the stupidity of the Australian rugby structure. They've already made it, and will now each take up a SR spot and get two years of professional development put into them to find out whether they have what it takes, because that is the only way to find out. Meanwhile, the NZ teams will be signing players after they have had that development in a professional M10C, but only if they have shown the necessary. And they wonder why there is a gap that killing off sides won't close...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AndyS

Of course not, but that is the stupidity of the Australian rugby structure. They've already made it, and will now each take up a SR spot and get two years of professional development put into them to find out whether they have what it takes, because that is the only way to find out. Meanwhile, the NZ teams will be signing players after they have had that development in a professional M10C, but only if they have shown the necessary. And they wonder why there is a gap that killing off sides won't close...

---

Exactly. The Force benefitted from the players that made the under 21s Final in 2002. The likes of AJ Whalley and Henjak were in that squad. The stupidity of Hooper’s five year deal may hold back McReight. Butler, Fainga’a and Gill saw the light.

The 2016 Ireland squad had Stockdale, Porter and James Ryan as the exceptional players which is the norm. Others like Max Deegan, Hugo Keenan, Johnny McPhilips, Stephen Kerins got game time in the 7s and Pro 14 to get experience.

McDonald has gone to Tahs academy. Not sure about Tizzano

So with last night's crowd I think our average numbers of 10,800-odd were better than SR. But I suppose they are dragged lower by the ongoing car crash in Melbourne. :thumbsup:

He didn’t have to pay back a cent of the $30 million the Rebels owed the ARU whereas the Alan Winney consortium was willing to restructure it to pay it back.

This is why people are supporting Folau as the only way to send the fuckwits who have ruined the game a message is to send them broke. The gutless and impotent corporate regulator refused to do it.