How are the NPC attendance numbers this season? I feel it really dropped off the seasons after COVID. Are the numbers growing a bit again?
What???? Geez what is happening??It gets worse, Dan. There's been some shenanigans in Ashburton, Mid Canty 40-27 'nua![]()
I know the Naki numbers were up 40% last year, had impression they were well up obviously from being there. I genuinely think the crowd numbers combined would be bigger or similar to combined crowds at Super games. I know there more games, but also smaller regions for each team.Patchy sums it up, I think, but it's hard to tell as most Unions seem to regard attendance numbers as top secret.
What???? Geez what is happening??![]()
16 AB, including Caleb Clarke, released for NPC duty:
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Sixteen All Blacks released to play in NPC, Clarke returns to action
Caleb Clarke returns for Auckland against Wellington on Sunday.www.nzherald.co.nz
I mean Auckland really need some help.... but I thought Clarke might be kept with ABs given the difficulties with competing in the air against the Argies!
How are the NPC attendance numbers this season? I feel it really dropped off the seasons after COVID. Are the numbers growing a bit again?
Taranaki had biggest crowd in quite a few years (apart from '23 final) for Shield game on Saturday. It was a day game which was good. But they had good crowds most of last year.Essentially the numbers are solid outside of the main 5 Super Rugby centres
Taranaki have also reopened one of their main stands this year which will significantly contribute to their increase crowd figure.
I like what Wellington have done in shifting games to Porirua - a much more suitable venue as opposed to playing in front of an empty Cake Tin / Eden Park etc.
Day games also seem to get much better crowds than night games.
Based on occasional glimpses of crowds at other big venues I wonder if Aux, Cantabs & Otago are doing something similar to keep costs down.
16 AB, including Caleb Clarke, released for NPC duty:
![]()
Sixteen All Blacks released to play in NPC, Clarke returns to action
Caleb Clarke returns for Auckland against Wellington on Sunday.www.nzherald.co.nz
Yep trying to work out if it means Roigard still not right, or Ratima still stuffed. We know Hotham is still out for a while.