Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Nothing to do with stadium infrastructure, but rather deals being arranged by the respective state governments.
Australian Rugby / RA
- Thread starter Dave Beat
- Start date
Nothing to do with stadium infrastructure, but rather deals being arranged by the respective state governments.
Adam84
Rod McCall (65)
It’s part of the parcel, stadium size plays a role in how much state governments value economic output of an event.
State Govts paying to host a capacity event at the Gabba is going to return less locally then a capacity event hosted at the MCG.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
True, but with the exception of a rare Lions and Bledisloe game at the 'G the Melbourne test matches are usually played at AAMI Park or Marvel.
How many do you reckon we’ve had in the professional age?
They seem to have mostly been in Sydney in the last decade or so.
Scotland at the SFS in 2017
France at the SFS in 2014
Wales at the SFS in 2012
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
If playing your marquee games at a time which inconveniences your main supporter base is apparently the logical way to run a successful sport now, I look forward to the NRL announcing State of Origin is to be played on Friday night this year at the same time as Penrith v Broncos.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Quite a few...
Off the top of my head...
South Africa in 2021 and 2022...
Fiji in 2017...
Samoa in 2005.
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Now maybe timing it with the final round of club rugby is poor planning but in general I think we should be playing more afternoon games.
The Waratahs have no home afternoon games this season which is disappointing as it means it isn't feasible to take my small children along. Likewise, the Waratahs women have played curtain raisers rather than stand alone matches at Concord Oval on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon which I attended last year with my daughter.
In terms of making the game more accessible to new fans, part of that should surely be so existing fans can bring their kids along. The easiest fans to add are surely family members of existing ones.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
We had an afternoon game in Perth v the All Blacks a couple of years ago
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Happy to be corrected but I'm 99% sure this was a QPR wide BYE round, hence the early kick off.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Agree, I have a young family and also enjoy arvo game - but in this case was Sunday not an option? If RA are so confident in scheduling a Wallabies test to clash with the final round of club rugby, surely they'd be willing to chance their arm at a Sunday game.
I think Sunday would be far less palatable to the broadcaster going up against a FTA NRL game.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Already a 2pm game at Suncorp on Sunday anyway actually.
KevinO
Geoff Shaw (53)
It's a different level of supporter though, majority can't get tickets so every pub in the country is packed for the games.
They have started playing some Friday night games though.
Also think the format is the biggest difference, every game is vital.
KOB1987
John Eales (66)
You are making the wrong comparison - the analogy to your loig example there would be to schedule the Test Match at the same time as the Reds v Tahs game. The equivalent for the clash in league would be the Burleigh Bears v the Ipswich Jets.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
It was more a tongue in cheek commentary around how the NRL understands their showpiece event needs to be the focal point of viewership and ensure everyone can watch.
Whereas rugby don’t seem to care about catering to their core audience.
Wallaby Man
Nev Cottrell (35)
That’s not remotely the same. It’s like NRL putting state of origin the same time Burleigh bears plays North’s. Other than having a community name in common the rugby clubs aren’t remotely like Penrith or Broncos
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
See my comment above mate. I understand that. Was having a bit of a laugh at rugby expense.