: Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:20 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

And that's what has prevented league from spreading to a wider global audience is it, which was the crux of his point? If you apply that logic you would conclude that most Aussies are working class but most Kiwis are middle class given the respective interest in the two codes in those countries.

hes right on that too.

union has friends in high places to make up for a lack of a proper fan base (except nz and SA)

: Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:29 pm  

However, NSW Rugby chief executive Jim L'Estrange said while he was unaware of the pay-TV ratings, he was quick to dismiss suggestions his code was inferior to league.

"I haven't seen the Fox Sports numbers yet, but the number I do know is that last weekend's game almost 33,000 people voted with their feet to see the Waratahs in action in western Sydney at ANZ Stadium."

BS to the first paragraph.

And to the 2nd... Yeah, because that is where the money is next time the contract negotiations come around

Anyway I just took a quick count and in all 4 Sydney games friday - sunday, 74,221 people attended. If the 'tahs were that popular they would fill Homebush

: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:55 pm  

How can the ARU even be thinking about expanding to a 5th team after seeing these figures. When the NRL expands and probably with even more AFL expansion they're in a heap of trouble.

Wallabies have 4 Pro teams yet are third in the world? suppose a brave bit of league poaching goes on!

Hopefully the under 20s well overtake s14 figures. Decline decline

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:30 am  

The Under 20s TV figures were better than union's Super 14 last year as well...

It is not a case of "catching up" for the Toyota Cup.

More, a case of caught up, gone past and never to be seen again by the ARU.

Union is heading for 6th footballing spot in Australia behind gaelic and gridiron at this rate.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:12 am  

Andy Gilder wrote:

What a load of class warfare b*llocks.

My friend I used to play union and most of the guys on my team were from private schools.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:35 am  

Like i said one team for NSW in the Super 14 getting 33,000 thats nothing to brag about.....

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:57 am  

That was a one off.

Before that the Waratahs got one crowd under 20,000 and one just over.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:45 pm  

The Curtism wrote:

My friend I used to play union and most of the guys on my team were from private schools.

I've played at three different Union clubs in Yorkshire in age groups from under nines to open age - I can't say I've played with more than two or three people in that time who were at public school. Go figure.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:24 pm  

Gijou wrote:

That was a one off.

Before that the Waratahs got one crowd under 20,000 and one just over.

what hes getting at is 1 union team in nsw averaging 24,000

vs 9 sydney clubs averaging 15,000.

RIP RU.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:31 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

I've played at three different Union clubs in Yorkshire in age groups from under nines to open age - I can't say I've played with more than two or three people in that time who were at public school. Go figure.

i went to a private school.

99% of the players are from there here.

trying to argue union isnt an elitist sport is a lot like arguing union is good to watch