Super Rugby Round One: Reds vs Waratahs. Suncorp Feb 24

[TSR]

Are QRU a commercial organisation or a rep organisation for the playing members? Tickets to the pro game is one thing, but even there a $5 or $10 ticket for a game in a 50,000 stadium that gets 10,000 - you're still selling beer and food. Also Ballymore at the finals - surely we are talking govt funding for the facility and funds from those attending on the day. $400 to play surely can offer some kind an advantage.

I think it’s fine for the QRU to consider ticket packages/discounts to get a crowd.

However I’m just pointing out that there have been multiple references to the $400 subs paid by Brisbane club players as a justification for free tickets. That money doesn’t go to the QRU so expecting them to use that money to subisidise a game ticket is not fair as that money doesn’t go to them. Certainly don’t see why players can’t go to their clubs and try to get the club to negotiated discounted ticket packages - but the clubs have a vested interest in having players at their club house drinking at the bar not at the game.

As far as I understand the QRU don’t get the money from food & drink sales either. But they do have to pay more for more areas of the ground to be opened up. So filling the ground with free tickets is actually a direct cost to their bottom line from my understanding. Happy to be corrected if my understanding of things are wrong.

That doesn’t mean it’s not a worthwhile idea. Possibly some short term pain for longer term gain. I’d certainly love to see a targeted strategy to get lots of kids there. We need kids wanting to go to the rugby. I just don’t think it’s fair to expect the QRU to subsidise tickets from money that they don’t actually receive.

 

[KOB1987]

Hopefully a good old fashioned NSW v Qld match up. I want the Tahs to win but more importantly I just want to see a good hard game of rugby with a lot of talent on display.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I’ve never been more ready to be hurt.

 

[Confucius Say]

Back to talking about the game and not tickets and crowds…

Last nights games gave another indication of where super franchise rugby is at. Force and Rebels well beaten, out played and out skilled after both getting talked up by the media.

I hope the Reds play to their potential with the same shape and speed as they did in Roma, but I don’t think the Waratahs will play the same style as they did in the trial. There will definitely be more intent. And they won the second half in the trial as QLD changed its team and lost its way.

The concern is that the Reds have been talked up for 2 weeks and might go the same way as the Force and the Rebels. The Reds have weakened their side with some of the selections in key positions.

I am bemused that some of them made the 23 but trust that Les Kiss has a game plan to win round 1 that won’t rely on the backs.

It’s one of the hottest humid days in Brisbane this summer so that might be a factor in the forwards as QLD will have more mobility.

 

[TSR]

Really - I didn’t think there were many talking up the Reds at all, beyond the pretty straight forward assertion that they are a better sqaud then last year.

Certainly I noticed many had turned on the Tahs, but I agree that I expect them to be much better tonight.

Other that that I think there has been a bit of general optimism that always comes before your team has had to play a minute of meaningful football but I can’t remember reading anything outrageous from either set up supporters apart from the occasional one-off comment by 2-3 posters.

 

[dillyboy]

Overcast, dark, drizzly, set in. That's here at newstead looking toward the city and Lang Park.

Yeah the forecast that said under 10mm when I went to bed said up to 60mm when I woke up

Been stopped nere long enough that I'm thinking of heading out & mowing the lawn - hopefully it's not horrible for the game.....

 

[RugbyReg]

Are QRU a commercial organisation or a rep organisation for the playing members? Tickets to the pro game is one thing, but even there a $5 or $10 ticket for a game in a 50,000 stadium that gets 10,000 - you're still selling beer and food. Also Ballymore at the finals - surely we are talking govt funding for the facility and funds from those attending on the day. $400 to play surely can offer some kind an advantage.

Sorry are you suggesting selling Reds tickets at Suncorp games for $10???

 

[dru]

Sorry are you suggesting selling Reds tickets at Suncorp games for $10???

As usual it seems I am not clear enough in my dissembling for you Reg. Player membership os quote as $400 a year. Giving some sort of support such as cheap access where they are having trouble with numbers at games seems sensible to me. Now, TSR says QRU get no return from food and beer at the game. Is that right? If it is , offering tickets to the cost of opening up seats doesn't at all make sense.

 

[Confucius Say]

Really - I didn’t think there were many talking up the Reds at all, beyond the pretty straight forward assertion that they are a better sqaud then last year.

Certainly I noticed many had turned on the Tahs, but I agree that I expect them to be much better tonight.

Other that that I think there has been a bit of general optimism that always comes before your team has had to play a minute of meaningful football but I can’t remember reading anything outrageous from either set up supporters apart from the occasional one-off comment by 2-3 posters.

Not fans. Media.
But also may just be my perception.
Certainly the previews on Stan talked the Force up as hard to beat and the Rebels as their strongest squad ever.

 

[Confucius Say]

Forecast to be 31C at kick off time.

 

[TSR]

Not fans. Media.
But also may just be my perception.
Certainly the previews on Stan talked the Force up as hard to beat and the Rebels as their strongest squad ever.

Yeah - I do agree there has been some talking up in the media, although I would put most of it in terms of cautiously optimistic than over the top.

Personally I like to let the results do the talking and I admit to being very nervous about tonight. Not least because the Tahs are a hit a bit by injuries and so are a bit more vulnerable than normal.

But I guess I’d rather see the media out there giving lots of positive coverage than either endless negativity or, even worse, silence.

It’s definitely been a lot more enjoyable reading some if the coverage of the Reds than it has been reading about the woes of the Rebels.

 

[liquor box]

Sorry are you suggesting selling Reds tickets at Suncorp games for $10???

Do the Reds get a guaranteed payment for playing at Suncorp instead of Ballymore?

I think in League when Souths and other teams went to Stadium Australia they were paid the equivalent of 10,000 people no matter the crowd, any more and it was a bonus. This was to encourage teams to go to that stadium and leave their traditional homes.

I would have assumed that Suncorp would essentially underwrite a set number of tickets to stop a return to Ballymore.

 

[Adam84]

Do the Reds get a guaranteed payment for playing at Suncorp instead of Ballymore?

I think in League when Souths and other teams went to Stadium Australia they were paid the equivalent of 10,000 people no matter the crowd, any more and it was a bonus. This was to encourage teams to go to that stadium and leave their traditional homes.

I would have assumed that Suncorp would essentially underwrite a set number of tickets to stop a return to Ballymore.

NSW and QLD stadium hire aren’t comparable, completely different profit sharing models between the two states

 

[Adam84]

I’m confused, are people suggesting that players fees should go up 10-20% to cover the cost of free tickets? Or are people suggesting the QRU should find another $500k in their marketing budget to give out free tickets?

someone has to pay for these ‘free tickets’ to players, given the QRU operating profit was $75k for 2023, it’s either a cost transferred onto the players fees, or they take out a loan.

maybe a happy middle ground is that players get 10% off Reds tickets. But simply handing out free tickets en masse, doesn’t reflect the reality of the Reds/Super Rugby financial situation.

 

[emuarse]

The above is not "Rugby Matches" posts, more "Rugby Discussion". Stick to the theme guys, please.

 

[dillyboy]

Having dinner on Caxton street & plenty of people are out - hopefully we get a good crowd!!!

 

[PhilClinton]

Having dinner on Caxton street & plenty of people are out - hopefully we get a good crowd!!!

Do Honey B’s sell food now?

 

[dillyboy]

Do Honey B’s sell food now?

It's Kittens now but I'm with my 9 year old son so can't confirm sorry

 

[Coleman Rees]

Anyone else at Suncorp? GAGR beer at half time?

 

[dru]

Already seeing slippery conditions on the ball