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THE grandest derby in Australian rugby, featuring the code’s biggest stars, will attract fewer than 25,000 fans when the Reds take on the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
It will be a hostile contest in front of a docile crowd at ANZ Stadium.
The 82,000-seat Olympic stadium will be less than a third full for the biggest game on the Super Rugby calendar, further proving the Waratahs are Australian sport’s ugly stepchild.
The lack of atmosphere could favour the Waratahs, with Reds players yesterday insisting they thrive in the hostile environment the game usually provides.
Last year’s interstate derby at Suncorp Stadium attracted 35,801 fans in a city with half Sydney’s population.
A crowd of 25,000 would be an awful attendance for a contest featuring Israel Folau, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, James Horwill, Kurtley Beale and Michael Hooper.
The clash features 30 Wallabies and there are no NRL games to compete with.
Read more: http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1226837583119