The sight of rows of empty seats at a Super rugby semifinal in Christchurch would have been inconceivable in the late 1990s and early 2000s when the Crusaders’ dynasty was in full cry.
But, at Saturday’s clash between the Crusaders and Chiefs that was the reality, and if those running Super rugby really give a damn about the fans, it is time to start listening to them.
The situation hit an embarrassing low in Christchurch when only about 13,000 people turned out for the sudden-death match, well short of the ground’s capacity of 21,600. It was no different at Ellis Park in South Africa for the Lions’ semifinal against the Hurricanes where 28,000 turned out, less than half of the ground’s capacity.
The drums have been beating for a while about the tiresome and confusing Super rugby competition. As more teams have been added, the competition structure seems to have lost its way and, in many ways, its identity.
The conference system is stacked against New Zealand teams which, in most cases, have to play the tougher New Zealand franchises twice. South African and Australian sides are rewarded with home playoff matches, often ahead of better-performing New Zealand teams.
The competition is mothballed for three weeks for international matches and does little to help momentum, for the teams or fans.
But Super rugby reached new levels of ridiculousness this year when the Johannesburg-based Lions finished the regular season unbeaten and top of the table without having to play a New Zealand team. That earned the Lions the right to home advantage in the playoffs, including hosting this weekend’s final.
The Lions were too strong for the Hurricanes in their semifinal, but would the Lions have remained unbeaten if they had had to contend with a two- or three-match tour to New Zealand and Australia?
Even attempts to cut teams from next year’s competition are proving farcical. Australia has to shed one of its franchises, either the Melbourne Rebels or Western Force. But still no final decision has been made as the Force threatens legal action.
The Crusaders, with 11 finals appearances and seven titles to their name, have prided themselves on a strong fan base which has helped create a fortress in Christchurch.
But simply staging a rugby match is no longer enough to entice fans along. Rising ticket prices, winter weather and other demands on incomes has meant fans now pick which matches they want to attend.
The expectation has always been that at the business end of the season, when every match could be the last, the fans come out in droves. Not any more. Super rugby is a long season (it started in February) and clearly there is fan fatigue.
Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach was quick to create a smokescreen, laying blame for the poor crowd on AMI Stadium, saying fans were fed up with the temporary stadium.
AMI Stadium was refurbished and became the Crusaders’ home base when Lancaster Park was damaged beyond repair in the 2011 earthquake. It was initially only to be used until this year but, with no new stadium in sight, that will be extended.
Christchurch wants to take its lead from Dunedin and build a 25,000-35,000 seat indoor facility like Forsyth Barr Stadium. A pre-feasibility study for a new venue is expected this month. Christchurch may well be overdue for a new sporting facility, although many Cantabrians would argue the council, six years on from the earthquake, still has better things to spend ratepayer money on.
Maybe the poor turnout was a touch of arrogance from home fans. Was there an expectation the Hurricanes would topple the Lions and the final would be back in Christchurch this weekend?
Lions fans may have had the same idea as Ellis Park is a sellout for the final.
Super rugby organisers were once safe in the knowledge the competition could thrive on the large broadcasting deals secured with Sky Television. But, with rising subscription costs and increasing viewing options, Sky is also battling to retain viewers which shows the public is now, more than ever, happy to vote with their feet.
