Union XV Rugby

Why have Super Rugby crowds declined so much?

Some of the most common explanations I hear are:

1️⃣ “Rugby union is too soft/boring/stop-start nowadays.” 🥱

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that over-officiating is an issue in today’s game (something I’ve talked about in an earlier post). However, this doesn’t make sense as the main reason Super Rugby has declined.

Why not?

Well, aside from the fact that sports with far less scoring (⚽️) and which are far more stop-start (🏈) are still amongst the most well-supported in the world – rugby union itself has also never been more popular globally.

Last year’s Rugby World Cup smashed all kinds of attendance and viewership records, and countries whose primary rugby product is a domestic league have all seen local attendances significantly increase over the past 20 years. This growth of domestic rugby union is even the case in England, which is notable because the country also has the Super League - a pro rugby league competition (so operates in a similar context to Australasia).

TLDR; Looking at the stats, it seems unlikely that the failure of Super Rugby has much to do with the sport itself – if it did, we’d also be seeing a decline (not a growth) in rugby’s popularity elsewhere.

2️⃣ “Tickets and stadium food are too expensive nowadays / It’s easier to just watch on TV at home.” 🎟️💰📺

Of course, for some households attending live sports is a luxury that just doesn’t quite fit within the budget. I don’t debate that.

However, it’s worth noting that on the whole, One NZ Warriors crowds in NZ have actually grown in recent years, as have average attendances in Australia for both the NRL and AFL.

So if cost is the main reason for the decline, why is Super Rugby affected, while the other major codes aren’t?

The truth is, many people are still happy to use their hard-earned money to pay for a good live sports product – Super Rugby just isn’t it.

3️⃣ “The modern world is more globalised, so naturally more people are going to drift towards other sports or foreign sports leagues” 🌎

Yes, a big difference between 2004 and 2024 is that nowadays we have access to the internet 24/7, making it easier to watch and stay up-to-date with any sports comp we want from around the world.

Some say that because domestic sports now have to compete with foreign sports, it was inevitable that rugby union would see a decline in NZ.

But is that really the case? Was it inevitable?

Again, let’s look at 🇦🇺 Australia – AFL and NRL attendances have both grown in the past two decades, despite Aussie rules being a sport exclusively played in Australia (and rugby league not being much more global).

So maybe it’s because NZ is a small country? Again, this explanation doesn’t work – 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland's SPFL and 🇩🇰 Denmark's Superliga.dk are both pro sports leagues in countries about the same size as NZ – and both have seen crowds increase over recent years.

[I also wanted to include stats on ☘️ Ireland’s GAA, but wasn’t able to find enough regular season attendance data. However, considering the smallest quarter-final crowd they had last year attracted over 57,000 fans, I think it’s doing alright]

➡️ SO, what’s the point in addressing all of these? 💬

Like many other NZ rugby fans, I just want to see the sport in good health. I want to see crowds get back up to what we all know they can be.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of the discussion around how to get bums back on seats either centres on topics like rules changes and ticket prices, or otherwise treats the decline as something that was bound to happen – all stances that aren’t supported by data.

Personally, I don’t think enough discussion is had around the more important question of: “What are the fundamental traits of Super Rugby that have made it so unsuccessful at maintaining long-term engagement relative to all other pro sports leagues? What positives is it missing? What negatives does it have?”

In my view, only by delving into comparisons with other sports leagues can we isolate the true reasons why Super Rugby has failed where so many other sports comps have succeeded.

Of course, long-time followers of this page already know what I think the key issues are along with the possible solution.

But honestly, I’m open to any discussion – after all, I too just want bums back on seats. I’m not too fussed how we do it. 🤷‍♂️

😢

Bruh 😂😂

Saders fans leaving Countdown RN be like…

Can’t lie, everyone in the top 8 just dodged a bullet the way the are hitting form after closed the door on the Crusaders dynasty run with a big win in Fiji over the Rebels to steal that last top 8 stop off the reigning champs!!

Catch all the drama //

FT Drua 40-19 Rebels

MASSIVE BREAKING NEWS OUT OF VICTORIA.

The Rebels will play its last season this year after 14 years. As sad as this news is it does not come as a surprise as rumours and speculation have been circling now for six months.

Read the full statement 📲 https://bit.ly/StatementMelbourneRebels

BREAKING NEWS OUT OF NZ.

Proposal 2 has been voted in favour 69 - 21. Question now is will Rob Nichol from NZRPA follow through with his threats and break away from NZR.

Watch the space people.

It's a big day for New Zealand rugby as the 'civil war' continues - Afternoons with Staffy will be taking your calls on the issue from midday on 0800 150 811.

'Proposal 2' has been voted in favour 69-21, which would see three of the nine directors require provincial board experience.

So, where does this leave the Players' Association after Proposal 1 was defeated? Watch this space.

(Hypothetically Competition)

Currently there’s 20 professional/semi professional 15s men’s sides in NZ (All Blacks, 5 Super Rugby, 14 NPC). That’s not including Black Ferns and 7s Teams.
Financially it’s too many mouths to feed from what’s being reported.

Restructuring Super Rugby and some NPC sides would tighten up the books while also having more games which would bring in more tv rights revenue. Bringing provincial sides back would also bring tribalism. Ranfurly Shield would be introduced.

It’s reported NZR makes 3x the TV revenue that RA makes. NZR also pay RA $5 million annually to help fund there 5 teams. If this is the case then NZ should introduce more sides. Having 4 Australian sides would help financially while also consolidating there talent into 4 teams.

NZ go from 20 teams to 10 team’s professionally. (All Blacks, 9 provincial sides) it doesn’t have to be Hawkes Bay, Tasman, Taranaki or Bay Of Plenty. It can be other sides for argument sakes.

Australia go from 6 teams to 5 teams professionally. (Wallabies, 4 Franchises) no Rebels.

Moana Pasifika would fold as they are financially unstable without World Rugby backing.

Let me know your thoughts. Like we said at the top. It’s a hypothetical competition.

NZR & RA are currently in talks to renew there own TV rights for 2026 and beyond.

Reports out of South Africa reveal tours between the Springboks and All Blacks will return in 2026, with SA Rugby and NZ Rugby reportedly agreeing terms.

One more round until Super Rugby finals, we have named our squads early for the July test window. The All Blacks have confirmed they will pick 32 players while the Wallabies are yet to confirm their numbers so we also named 32 for them.

Post World Cup will see some new exciting players. Some of the new players we have named are on form and have been impressive throughout Super Rugby.

Who would you pick and replace out of our squads? Let us know your opinions.

Injury List:

Wallabies

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - Suffered a 5th metatarsal (little toe) fracture.
Lachie Lonergan - Fractured dislocation to his ankle
Jordan Petaia - Dislocated his right shoulder
Angus Bell - Recurrence of a toe injury
Dave Porecki - Achilles injury
Max Jorgensen - Torn hamstring
Harry Wilson - Broken arm

All Blacks

Josh Lord - Knee injury
Braydon Ennor - ACL injury
Will Jordan - Shoulder injury
Cam Roigaard - Ruptured patella
Zarn Sullivan - Torn meniscus
Finlay Christie - Groin injury, could be back soon.

4 Teams, 1 Spot, 1 Round left. It’s in Drua hands.

Waratahs 👀

First Championship in the professional era for the Natal based side. Congratulations The Sharks

Comment from a private message, what do you all think:

While a civil war is playing out between NZR Board, Rugby Players Association and Provincial Unions, NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson is overseas. After what’s happened over the last 5 years he should stand down along with a rest of the board.

❤️❤️❤️

Well said my old mate Riccardo and I agree 100%

We all know now All Blacks star Beauden Barrett is back training with the Blues as they seek clarification around the application process for including Barrett... for the rest of the season.

This also could be the case for the Hurricanes with Ardie Savea.

We think don’t fix what’s not broke but we wanna know your thoughts in the comments section.

Full-time: Crusaders 24-31 Brumbies, is the season finished for the Crusaders?

If anyone has Super Rugby Pacific new chairman Kevin Malloy contact please let him know.

These are changes in the game we think need to happen over the next 12-24 months. If you think there’s anything we have missed then please post in the comments.

Television Rights are up for renewal for 2026 and beyond. Being proactive now is a must and the fans need to come first.

Quinn Tupaea brother Mason will make his debut this weekend for The Blues 🤝

For those that don’t know Hamilton Boys’ High School is a Powerhouse Rugby Union School in the Super 8 competition, 5x NZ National Champions. They will never let there players play both sport, so much effort goes into their 1st XV almost to the point of it being in a professional environment.

The fact that league wants to make a play for established union schools is beyond me. You see it with Nudgee College in Brisbane with the Dolphins.

The last known story of this happening at Hamilton Boys’ was ex Warriors Sam Rapira, he chose from my understanding league over union.

You can imagine if Union tried to get into League schools like Marsden SHS in Brisbane or Westfield Sports in Sydney, the uproar from the league community with be unpleasant.

Tony Barakat, a major sponsor of the prestigious Hamilton Boys High School’s first XV rugby union team and a key figure in the Warriors' pathways program, is considering pulling his funding amid allegations students are being pressured into turning their backs on rugby league.

FULL STORY ▶️ bit.ly/3Ws7q2N

Get in quick, Chiefs Heritage Jersey is out! Gallagher Chiefs Classic Sportswear NZ

Hurricanes & Classic Sportswear NZ surely you haven’t sold out in bigger sizes already?