0
Waratahs cry out for fan force
- By Iain Payten
- From: The Daily Telegraph
- April 15, 2010 12:00AM
Rallying cry...Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh. Source: Getty Images
WARATAHS officials are confident their blockbuster clash with the Brumbies at ANZ Stadium next week can break the record for Australia's biggest ever Super 14 crowd.
Just six weeks after NSW's record worst crowd, they'll need it.
Not only will the game be crucial for the Tahs' finals hopes, but with crowds having plummeted this season, a bumper attendance now appears required to save NSW Rugby's bottom line as well.
Poor crowds - including a Super rugby-low of 15,522 against the Lions - has seen the Waratahs draw an average of 18,366 fans in four games.
The figure is over 6000 short of a break-even mark for NSW Rugby, and siginficantly less than the Waratahs' average crowd of 33,739 just five years ago.
With crowd revenue a major source of income, the Waratahs are hoping their final two home games against the Brumbies and the Hurricanes can dig them out of trouble and prevent a loss for a third straight financial year.
Chief executive Jim L'Estrange confirmed yesterday that NSW Rugby will report a $400,000 operating loss for 2009 at its AGM in two weeks, following a $205,249 loss in 2008.
Though "behind a little bit" in 2010, L'Estrange is confident a massive crowd on Saturday, April 24 at ANZ Stadium can help get the books back in the black.
"We were hoping at the start of the year for an average of about 25,000," L'Estrange said. "We budget low for certain games, the Lions at Easter for example.
"But for a local derby against the Brumbies, we are budgeting higher. We want a crowd over 35,000 but with the initiatives we have in place, with the high quality and importance of the game, we actually think we can get a crowd challenging the record for the biggest ever in Australia. It should be a cracker."
The highest ever crowd for Super 14 in Australia is 42,237, for Queensland v NSW at Suncorp Stadium in 2004.
L'Estrange said signs were already looking positive to get near the record, with a crowd of over 30,000 already secure, NSW and the Brumbies both pressing for the playoffs and - crucially - doing it in an entertaining fashion.
The Waratahs, and rugby in general, are slowly winning back fans after new law interpretations have helped remove the drudgery of recent years.
"We are now up there with the leading try-scoring teams ... people will see they're running the ball and having a crack. I don't think you'd see a better local derby than taking on a Brumbies team with Giteau, Elsom and co," he added.
L'Estrange said he wasn't concerned about the small crowds this year, with low-drawing South African teams, weather and Friday night slots playing a role. "Some games are simply better games, and some times are better times," he said.
NSW Rugby believes it can repeat the success of last year's Crusaders' clash, which drew a season-best 32,469. The Waratahs-Brumbies clash will be preceded by a junior rugby march-past, featuring 2500 kids from Canberra and Sydney, and a special offer to Subbies players is expected to boost numbers.
A big push to get Canberra supporters to the game with the Brumbies' assistance and discount accommodation offers has also kicked off.
NSW will play two games at ANZ Stadium from 2011 onwards.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225853840443