Can RL take over from RU in NZ?

[dallymessenger]

i cant be bothered reading the union trolls stuff anymore.

the guy has no knowledge of RL in australia. pulls out quotes for stuff that doesnt happen and cant raise a proper argument.

you can provide him with 10 links to the S14 failing and hell ignore them.

ive seen it before from other union trolls. whenever you provide them with evidence that union is failing they do the heads in the sand routine.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

. Super 14 games will be shifted from Fox Sports 2 to Fox Sports 3.Asked whether there had been any reaction from union to the switch, a Fox Sports spokesman said: "Absolutely nothing. They are saying they don't have an issue with it."

If Fox is kicking Union off to Fox Sports 3 won't that hurt the ratings even more for Union?

My my my ! I woke up this morning to check and see whats on Fox Sports and I see that the NRL live games today has been shifted to Fox Sports TWO while they show two AFL games live on Fox Sports ONE .

ummmmm youre on a roll man .

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

Warrior you and I both know about 50 of the 100 test nations are farcical at best and only about 10 nations would be classed as competitive. But I am sure you will tell me different

Did I say they were all competitive ?:crazy: I was just happy to see the three Pacific Island Nations doing well in France last year . It must have been the 10 million pound the IRB have invested in rugby in the Pacific Islands .

if you are so happy, what are you doing trolling RL message boards, desperately defending union/

if i were happy with my sport - i am - i wouldnt bother going on a RU message board to defend league.

i wouldnt care what they say.

judging by your posts this thread has upset you.

im guessing as RL grows whilst union stagnates you wont he a happy chappy

So, you don't want anyone that likes or enjoys both codes on here . Im not defending union just give an idea whats happening in NZ . But I forgot you live in NZ and know the in's and out of rugby and league over there . Right :lol:

i cant be bothered reading the union trolls stuff anymore.

the guy has no knowledge of RL in australia. pulls out quotes for stuff that doesnt happen and cant raise a proper argument.

you can provide him with 10 links to the S14 failing and hell ignore them.

ive seen it before from other union trolls. whenever you provide them with evidence that union is failing they do the heads in the sand routine.

Well, Im sure the forum members on here can't be bother with your pipe smoking dreams and fantasies about NZ either . Like I was saying . Why don't you come to the Warriors forum and the people who knows more about this than the one eye pain killers you find on here ?

AFL TV ratings in Brisbane is failing too . Does that mean the code is failing in Brisbane as well ?:shock:

What evidence do you have that suggest :lol:league is going to take over rugby union in NZ ?
Like I say to the other one eye union haters on this board in the pass . Don't have an orgasim every time the ARU or the NZRU lose money or TV ratings go down . It would come back to bite you next time .

 

[dallymessenger]

the number of trolls on RL sites is funny.

lol at all the insecure AFL and union fans.
:lol:

you cant even start a thread on RL expanding without fans of rivals sport getting upset.

 

[Cheezel]

Can RL take over from RU in NZ? Can RL take over from RU in NZ? .......Looks like its already happening in a big way .:lol::lol: The Road To
El Dorado is looking very bleak .

Sparc orders league to shape up

Irish Warrior it's about time!!!! You have looked in the world wide web to find an artcle. It's even current news.

I also hope that SPARC take over the NZRL. They need to clear out all the dead wood and the hidden agenda's that is holding League back in New Zealand. So to me this is good news

I THINK the NRL/ARL should take over the running of the game in New Zealand in the short term and once they get all these issues sorted out then they can hand the running of the game back over to the Kiwis. But Me Thinking it should happen won't make it happen!

How about you Warrior? What is your take on this?

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

the number of trolls on RL sites is funny.

lol at all the insecure AFL and union fans.
:lol:

you cant even start a thread on RL expanding without fans of rivals sport getting upset.

Are we playing that personal insult game now are we ? Well that normally happens when you have nothing left to offer this post .:lol::lol: The only incecure one getting upset here is the one who doesn't like rugby union been NZ national sport . Expanding RL is one thing . Lying and denial is another .

 

[Cheezel]

Did I say they were all competitive ?:crazy: I was just happy to see the three Pacific Island Nations doing well in France last year . It must have been the 10 million pound the IRB have invested in rugby in the Pacific Islands .

AFL TV ratings in Brisbane is failing too . Does that mean the code is failing in Brisbane as well ?

10 Million pounds invested in the Pacific nations? Warrior do you think it's been a good return on investment? I assume you mean the likes of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Cook Islands have seen that money. Is this 10 Million in 1 year all over many years? I hope this is not one of your loose statements again.:roll:

AFL TV rataings failing in Brisbane does not mean the AFL is failing. For a start the AFL is rolling in money and in the southern states rates and crowds go from strength to strength. Not that I like the AFL but they seem to be doing things the right way.

Now lets look at the Super 14's as a whole. Losing money, ratings and crowds are down not only in Brisbane but at most Super 14 teams. The ARU which is the national body in Australia lost 14 million. NZRU have lost money as well.

I hope you get the picture Warrior. :shock: But that's okay I know league has it's failing and will always be the first to tell you about them. It seems you are in denial about the state of Rugby Union in the sourthern hemisphere.

Maybe that's why Union continues to loose out to the other codes in Australia. The other codes criticise themselves all the time. Union on the other hand seems to think everything is rosey. Lucky for Union John O'Neill is back in charge but he even acknowledges that Union is a distant 4th in the sporting codes in Australia and that something radical needs to happen before the Super 14's go under.......drumroll...............Japan :lol:

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

Irish Warrior it's about time!!!! You have looked in the world wide web to find an artcle. It's even current news.

I don't need to find articles cheese . I've supply articles in the pass to prove I was right . I think thats why alot of members are not bothering to reply because they know Im right . Unlike you and your mate Dallydream .

I also hope that SPARC take over the NZRL. They need to clear out all the dead wood and the hidden agenda's that is holding League back in New Zealand. So to me this is good news

Since you and Dallydream are too chicken to go to the warriors section of this forum to discuss everything nz league and union . Here's are posts from members of the NZ & Kiwi expats on the warriors forum about the SPARC affair .
The good thing about the truth is that you really know things are in NZ . But as always with you and Dallydreams every negative news from NZ is good news .:lol:



http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=198857

This piece scares the bejasus out of me. I whole heartedly agree that it is
imperative that a review to this extent takes place (sooner rather than
later), the Sparc "holding to ransome" approach does not auger well for
a fantastic outcome for our game.

That particular organisation now has the power to make or break entire
sporting codes in this country, and that frightens me.

I also question why the letter was leaked to only one newspaper.

From our mate killer79 - Steve Killgallon Sunday Star Times :

The NZRL are obviously doing the normal (sweeping everything under the carpet) so you have to wonder if SPARC's overseeing the management of the outfit is right or wrong.

Something has to be done and heads should roll but with a govt funded agency leading the way, it seems to be going from one extreme to the other.

Still, they are dishing out the dollars, guess they have every right to have a say how its squandered.

Yes, but it's the heavy handed way they are going about it that concerns me.

agree, although the time for reason and niceties has long gone.

If an outfit with an attitude like SPARC's had been running the show 5-10 yrs ago, we'd probably have the World Cup sitting in the cabinet.

If I was sending my car continuously to a mechanic to get repaired, but it was breaking down all the time, I'd be wanting to know what he was doing and ask him what I was spending my money on. If he wasn't able to give me a good explanation or was talking in circles, I'd tell him I'd want my money back, he wasn't getting my custom and I'd tell everyone I knew that he was useless.

That's my analogy. You've got someone who always talks in circles and a seeds salesman trying to be a mechanics job.

Only good can come out of it in my opinion!
For too long the NZRL has only been accountable to itself, even the districts have to go to the AGM to try to find out what is happening. Why should this review affect the NRL funding - unless there is something going on that the NZRL don't want the NRL to find out?
Only sad thing is that SPARC's review won't be made public.

Just as an adjunct.
Why has the NZRL got a press officer? Nothing ever comes out of them.

What about the Marketing and Communications person? Although their website is alot more up to date than previous years. Looks like Dain Guttenbeil is earning his salary by implementing structures and informing through the website. But why will they have a CEO and a general manager? Surely NZRL is not that big to have both these roles?

I THINK the NRL/ARL should take over the running of the game in New Zealand in the short term and once they get all these issues sorted out then they can hand the running of the game back over to the Kiwis. But Me Thinking it should happen won't make it happen!

How about you Warrior? What is your take on this?

Yeah Sure .:crazy:While you add it let the AFL run the Irish gaylic football and Australian soccer, netball and basketball take over the running of those sports in NZ too.:lol:

 

[dallymessenger]

lol at the union fan trolling the thread.

again ignore all the negative links about the S14, some people like to live in the world of fatasy land.

and some of your quotes and stats are pure BS.

:lol:

 

[dallymessenger]

Are we playing that personal insult game now are we ? Well that normally happens when you have nothing left to offer this post .:lol::lol: The only incecure one getting upset here is the one who doesn't like rugby union been NZ national sport . Expanding RL is one thing . Lying and denial is another .

troll a personal insult
:lol:

i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.

:lol:

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

10 Million pounds invested in the Pacific nations? Warrior do you think it's been a good return on investment? I assume you mean the likes of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Cook Islands have seen that money. Is this 10 Million in 1 year all over many years? I hope this is not one of your loose statements again.

:lol::lol::lol: Have you seen the new sport science & rugby academies, gyms and semi professional competitions in Samoa, Tonga and Fiji ? The IRB actually sticks to its guns unlike the IRLF where Samoa league are still waiting for their $20 for funding . Can somebody please give this guy the articles that came out three years ago ? Yeas 10 million pounds over a couple of years but thats like cassillion in Pacific money .

AFL TV rataings failing in Brisbane does not mean the AFL is failing. For a start the AFL is rolling in money and in the southern states rates and crowds go from strength to strength. Not that I like the AFL but they seem to be doing things the right way.

So we now jump from Brisbane to Queensland to the whole Australia . They must be doing something right why they need to bump millions and millions to help Sydney and Brisbane Lions every year .

Now lets look at the Super 14's as a whole. Losing money, ratings and crowds are down not only in Brisbane but at most Super 14 teams. The ARU which is the national body in Australia lost 14 million. NZRU have lost money as well.

NZRU and ARU lost money because of the S14 ?:lol: Man this guy gets better . If the ARU are losing money over the S14 . Then what does the Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Force lose ?

I hope you get the picture Warrior. But that's okay I know league has it's failing and will always be the first to tell you about them. It seems you are in denial about the state of Rugby Union in the sourthern hemisphere.

Im not in denial that S14 ratings and crowds are decline . Im just laughing at how you are having an orgasim about it . You really got to pull yourself together old chap .
I'll tell you a little story that happen a few years ago on this forum . Before the 2003 RWC most paranoid league fans like you were predicting that it was going to be a failure and the crowds wont turn . Were they wrong and I had the last laugh . I just have the feeling I'll be doing the same with you .

Maybe that's why Union continues to loose out to the other codes in Australia. The other codes criticise themselves all the time. Union on the other hand seems to think everything is rosey. Lucky for Union John O'Neill is back in charge but he even acknowledges that Union is a distant 4th in the sporting codes in Australia and that something radical needs to happen before the Super 14's go under.......drumroll...............Japan

Well it was just a matter of time before soccer got its house in order . After all its the World Game . But like I was saying to you before Im happy with where rugby is in Australia . But I know your not happy with union existance in Australia or anywhere. Thats a fact . ! .....drumroll.......Japan, Pacific, Argentina .....Well it cant get any better than that .

 

[Cheezel]

I don't need to find articles cheese . I've supply articles in the pass to prove I was right . I think thats why alot of members are not bothering to reply because they know Im right . Unlike you and your mate Dallydream .

Since you and Dallydream are too chicken to go to the warriors section of this forum to discuss everything nz league and union . Here's are posts from members of the NZ & Kiwi expats on the warriors forum about the SPARC affair .
The good thing about the truth is that you really know things are in NZ . But as always with you and Dallydreams every negative news from NZ is good news .

Yeah Sure .While you add it let the AFL run the Irish gaylic football and Australian soccer, netball and basketball take over the running of those sports in NZ too.:lol:

Irish Warrior it seems you are a little upset as you are copping a hidding in this debate. Other forum members are entitled to their view. That's what forums are about . That's their opinion and i respect that. I have a different opinion and think that nobody can do worse then the way the NZRL are running the game. So if SPARC can add some value in the short term and sort out all the infighting that would be good.

Remember the title of the debate? In the current state League does not have a chance in NZ. But who would have thought 20 years ago that the AFL would be the number one code in Australia? So times change and opportunities arrive. Can RL take over from RU in NZ? I don't think so in the short term but who know long term! The cashed up NH clubs are the biggest threat to the game in the SH.

If you are so insecure about your game that you have to get other quotes from other forum members you must be clutching at straws now.

So let me once again state the facts one more time just in case you missed them.:shock:

1) AFL is the dominant code in Australia.
2) Rugby is the dominant code in New Zealand
2) Rugby League is a close 2nd behind the AFL but lacks the national presence the AFL has!
3) The Super 14's lost Money last year and ratings and crowd numbers were down and Union is a distant 4th in the battle of the codes in Australia.
4) League increased ratings and crowd numbers are up both in the NRL and Super league.
5)John O'Neill is trying to revamp the Super 14's to turn the tide of financial loses the NZRU, ARU and SARU are experiencing.
6) Football has the biggest international presence of all codes.
7) Rugby Union has a bigger international presence then Rugby League.
6) League has a bigger international presence then the AFL (with even with all those AFL team in SA and the pacific):lol:

These are the facts anything else is pure spectulation.

ARU RIP

 

[Blaze]

wow... so this thread diminished quickly.

League doesn't have to take over from union... I think a combination of sports are all going to get a greater share of the market over years to come... and union will just be one of a number of options.

I am very confident that rugby's dominance is a thing of the past. NZ is moving forward as a sporting nation and realising that there are more skillful and entertaining sports out there than rugby union. Fans are waking up and realising that 30 minutes game play in an 80 minute sport is just a joke.. League won't take over, but if the admin and structures are put in place properly it will be a decent competitor...

edit: and by the way, some people are incredibly short sighted imo... How can anyone say that league will never take over from union in NZ? That's a pretty ignorant viewpoint when you consider how far rugby has fallen in 12 months...

never is a long time!

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

troll a personal insult
:lol:

i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.

:lol:

Well, I hope your cure after that . Let me help you that decease of yours .

i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.
i agree, RU might have BEEN the national sport of NZ, it is no longer.


:lol::lol::lol: If that can't help maybe waking up and get outside and find some friends might also help .

 

[Cheezel]

Have you seen the new sport science & rugby academies, gyms and semi professional competitions in Samoa, Tonga and Fiji ? The IRB actually sticks to its guns unlike the IRLF where Samoa league are still waiting for their $20 for funding . Can somebody please give this guy the articles that came out three years ago ? Yeas 10 million pounds over a couple of years but thats like cassillion in Pacific money .

Irish Warrior. I asked a simple question please answer it . And please could anybody help the Irish Warrior out as he seems to be pulling figures out of his ......you know what.

So we now jump from Brisbane to Queensland to the whole Australia . They must be doing something right why they need to bump millions and millions to help Sydney and Brisbane Lions every year ..

Not sure what you are saying hear warrior but to keep things less complected for you lets go back to basics. QLD is a very big state but lets keep it real simple. League has the Broncos, AFL the Lions and poor old Union the Reds.
League gets 30 plus crowds and also broke the ground record for suncorp a few weeks ago. The Broncos also get blanket coverage. The reds get 15,000 to a game on a good day and are lucky to get a mention in the news.

Poor old Irish Warrior.....go and have a cold shower champ as you seem to be living in another city.

NZRU and ARU lost money because of the S14 ?Man this guy gets better . If the ARU are losing money over the S14 . Then what does the Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Force lose ?..

Warrior you need to look back to the begining of this post and look at the artcles I posted. It's seem your memory is failing

Im not in denial that S14 ratings and crowds are decline

Irish Warrior I am glad we have made progress here:crazy:

I'll tell you a little story that happen a few years ago on this forum . Before the 2003 RWC most paranoid league fans like you were predicting that it was going to be a failure and the crowds wont turn . Were they wrong and I had the last laugh . I just have the feeling I'll be doing the same with you .

Irish Warrior I love a good story. I only ever heard good things about the 2003 World Cup and how it would be the end of league. How times have changed. Now I have a Irish Warrior sweeping all this under the carpet.

Your not dirty that Union has fallen from grace in Australia are you:shock:

Well it was just a matter of time before soccer got its house in order . After all its the World Game . But like I was saying to you before Im happy with where rugby is in Australia . But I know your not happy with union existance in Australia or anywhere. Thats a fact . ! .....drumroll.......Japan, Pacific, Argentina .....Well it cant get any better than that .

I am glad you are happy with the state of Union in Australia. If I was a Union fan I would be pi$$ed.

I am very happy with the state of league in Australia. I turn on free to Air TV, Pay TV, open any newspapaer and switch on any sports talk back show and League is always the number one topic. But there is always room for improvement and league has not reached its potential in Australia.

I am happy that you happy about the state of Rugby Union in Australia. That means you are happy with the status quo. As I said that's why Union has slipped to a distant 4th in the battle of the codes in Australia.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

Irish Warrior it seems you are a little upset as you are copping a hidding in this debate. Other forum members are entitled to their view. That's what forums are about . That's their opinion and i respect that. I have a different opinion and think that nobody can do worse then the way the NZRL are running the game. So if SPARC can add some value in the short term and sort out all the infighting that would be good.

Copping a hiding .

1) S14 crowds down = YES
2) TV ratings down = YES
3) ARU & NZRU losing money in 2007 = YES
4) Rugby League becoming the national sport of NZ = Not A Chance :lol:

Remember the title of the debate? In the current state League does not have a chance in NZ. But who would have thought 20 years ago that the AFL would be the number one code in Australia? So times change and opportunities arrive. Can RL take over from RU in NZ? I don't think so in the short term but who know long term! The cashed up NH clubs are the biggest threat to the game in the SH.

Australia, Australia, Australia . THE AFL have moved forward from WA, SA and Victoria . The NRL had a chance to expand into this areas but it didn't stick it out .
Rugby union is a NATIONAL passion in NZ 100 years ago to another 100 years more . From Northland in the North to Invecargill in the South . Every provincial in NZ is Rugby UNION . Can you say the same about AFL and League in Australia ?:sarcasm: What happen to the RL national competition in NZ ?

So let me once again state the facts one more time just in case you missed them.

1) AFL is the dominant code in Australia.
2) Rugby is the national sport of New Zealand
2) Rugby League is a close 2nd behind the AFL but lacks the national presence the AFL has!
3) Rugby League is a distance fifth to Soccer, Netball, Cricket and Rugby Union in New zealand .
3) The Super 14's lost Money last year and ratings and crowd numbers were down and Union is a distant 4th in the battle of the codes in Australia.
4) League increased ratings and crowd numbers are up both in the NRL and Super league, Top 14 and Guiness rugby union Premiership in England
5)John O'Neill is trying to revamp the Super 14's Australia .
6) Football has the biggest international presence of all codes.
7) Rugby Union has a bigger international presence then Rugby League.
8) League has a bigger international presence then the AFL (with even with all those AFL team in SA and the pacific):lol:
9) Rugby union has the more players than rugby league and AFL worldwide .
These are the facts anything else is pure spectulation.

NZRL RIP

I guess we both agree on something after all .

 

[Blaze]

Rugby union is a NATIONAL passion in NZ 100 years ago to another 100 years more . From Northland in the North to Invecargill in the South . Every provincial in NZ is Rugby UNION .

dude, more kids play soccer than union...

and I haven't seen too much evidence of this passion in 2008, rather crowd and viewing numbers have dropped, while at the same time SKY sports overall viewing numbers have increased.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

Irish Warrior. I asked a simple question please answer it . And please could anybody help the Irish Warrior out as he seems to be pulling figures out of his ......you know what.

Ok . The answer is Yes . The IRB does give millions to Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Cook Islands in funding . Happy ?

Not sure what you are saying hear warrior but to keep things less complected for you lets go back to basics. QLD is a very big state but lets keep it real simple. League has the Broncos, AFL the Lions and poor old Union the Reds.
League gets 30 plus crowds and also broke the ground record for suncorp a few weeks ago. The Broncos also get blanket coverage. The reds get 15,000 to a game on a good day and are lucky to get a mention in the news.

Poor old Irish Warrior.....go and have a cold shower champ as you seem to be living in another city.

Well, Im sure if the Reds are winning they would be getting better crowds . But they have got to win games .
Thats right . I forgot you get the Couriermail deliver to you all the way there in Randwick . But here's an online site . Rugby union might not have the same coverage as league which is expected . It does have its fare share in the Couriermail and national news here Queensland . So who's living in another city ?
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/rugbyunion/

Irish Warrior I love a good story. I only ever heard good things about the 2003 World Cup and how it would be the end of league. How times have changed. Now I have a Irish Warrior sweeping all this under the carpet.

Your not dirty that Union has fallen from grace in Australia are you

Rugby union its in a better state than it was 20 years ago . Why would I be dirty about that ?

I am glad you are happy with the state of Union in Australia. If I was a Union fan I would be pi$$ed.

Why would I ? Im watching more rugby on FTA TV and pay TV than I ever did in the past and also happy to NRL players are keen to have a go at union . Can't get any better than that .

ry happy with the state of league in Australia. I turn on free to Air TV, Pay TV, open any newspapaer and switch on any sports talk back show and League is always the number one topic. But there is always room for improvement and league has not reached its potential in Australia.

Like I said above . Im very happy with rugby union in both NZ and Australia . I just wish the Reds team would bloody win games .

lipped to a distant 4th in the battle of the codes in Australia.

4th, 5th . Rugby will always be in Australia and always will be the national sport of NZ .

 

[Cheezel]

1) S14 crowds down = YES
2) TV ratings down = YES
3) ARU & NZRU losing money in 2007 = YES
4) Rugby League becoming the national sport of NZ = Not A Chance

Australia, Australia, Australia . THE AFL have moved forward from WA, SA and Victoria . The NRL had a chance to expand into this areas but it didn't stick it out .
Rugby union is a NATIONAL passion in NZ 100 years ago to another 100 years more . From Northland in the North to Invecargill in the South . Every provincial in NZ is Rugby UNION . Can you say the same about AFL and League in Australia ?What happen to the RL national competition in NZ ?quote]

"The" National Sport of NZ....No! A National Sport in New Zealand.....it already is.

So Rugby Union is in such a bad state that you keep on comparing League to AFL. Irish Warrior you must do better. Lets go over the facts one more time just incase you missed them :shock:

1) AFL is the dominant code in Australia.
2) Rugby is the dominant code in New Zealand
2) Rugby League is a close 2nd behind the AFL but lacks the national presence the AFL has!
3) The Super 14's lost Money last year and ratings and crowd numbers were down and Union is a distant 4th in the battle of the codes in Australia.
4) League increased ratings and crowd numbers are up both in the NRL and Super league.
5)John O'Neill is trying to revamp the Super 14's to turn the tide of financial loses the NZRU, ARU and SARU are experiencing.
6) Football has the biggest international presence of all codes.
7) Rugby Union has a bigger international presence then Rugby League.
6) League has a bigger international presence then the AFL (with even with all those AFL team in SA and the pacific):lol:

Warrior your not running out of steam already are you? :roll:

I had a great time watching Union in 2003 when Sydney was going off!!!!!
But since then it has lost something called entertainment. I hope the EVL's restore some of the running rugby I use to know.

In the meantime you can go to any league game and get value for Money. You should get along to a game Irish Warrior who knows you might enjoy seeing the ball in play for longer and the sight of players scoring try's and the wingers seeing the ball.:lol:

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

dude, more kids play soccer than union...

and I haven't seen too much evidence of this passion in 2008, rather crowd and viewing numbers have dropped, while at the same time SKY sports overall viewing numbers have increased.

It always been the case in new zealand while I was living there that more kids played soccer .
Why would you expect fans to go and watch their teams when the NZRU mess up last year by pulling the All Blacks players away from the S14 . I would be pissed off too if I pay money to see second rated players in the S14 .
New Zealand passion with rugby doesn't revolved around TV & crowd numbers . Its a culture thing and you saw that when they fail to bring back the WC trophy every year .