Bell tolls for Union

[Marcus]

Tickets selling fast for second test
Tue Nov 13, 10:57am (UK)
Written by: Steven Birchall
RFL headquarters have had such a huge demand for tickets for the second Guinness test that their telephone switchboard jammed multiple times today. After the Lions strong win in the first test, every Rugby League fan in Britain wants a ticket to see if Great Britain and Ireland could stun all the critics and win the Ashes for the first time in 31 years.
To help ease the demand on the ticket office, tickets can be bought through the Super League office, via Reebok Stadium on 01204 673673 or on the Rugby Football League’s Ticket Hotline which is 0113 232 9444. Tickets can also be purchases up at the RFL headquarters, but it is recommended that league fans move quickly, as the match will most likely be sold out by Wednesday.
The match is being played a Reebok Stadium.
Directions:
From the North:
Follow signs for the M61 towards Manchester/Bolton and leave at Junction 6. Take the first exit off sliproad roundabout onto the A6027 Mansell Way
From the South:
Follow signs for M61 towards Preston. (Do not take the A666 towards Bolton) Turn off the M61 at Junction 6 and take the third right exit from the sliproad roundabout onto the A6027 Mansell Way.

 

[Willow]

Marcus:
"26,000 people showed up, and this was between the 1st and 2nd best teams in the world. Its obvious league fans don't give a hoot, if they did they would have packed the house."

I think you should back that up with some facts, Marcus.

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Marcus and Beowolf, why dont we do a little comparision between the Zurich Premiership and the ESL. Both on equal footing, both club competitions in Britain. Now, if one of you two could grab a comparision between the crowds in the codes then i would much appreciate it. Actually Gav, i think you have done this before, do u still have it somewhere mate??

Point is, we can all throw in silly little statistics to prove our point. Obscure facts has been the flavour of the day here. If you want solid facts, why don't we start comparing crowd figures on an equal footing. I do not put League and Union internationals on an equal footing. Union live off International footy, league in NZ, Britain and Australia put alot more emphasis on club footy. The only country in the world that i can think of where club rugby is real strong is the NPC. Is there any place in the world where a rugby club game gets 104,583 people??? I think not

Moff.

 

[Marcus]

Yr 2000 was the best ever crowd attendences in the NRL.
<table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 border=1> <tbody> <tr> <td width="50%" bgcolor=#009cd0 colspan=2> Home Crowd Averages</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">21238: Brisbane</td> <td align=left width="50%">13594: Sharks</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">19131: Newcastle</td> <td align=left width="50%">13074: Northern Eagles</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">15521: North Queensland</td> <td align=left width="50%">12886: Bulldogs</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">14641: Melbourne</td> <td align=left width="50%">12489: Canberra</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">14228: Penrith</td> <td align=left width="50%">12157: Auckland</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">13643: Sydney Roosters</td> <td align=left width="50%">12124: Wests Tigers</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">13619: Parramatta</td> <td align=left width="50%">10978: St.George-Illawarra</td></tr></tbody></table>
Tot: 199,323 Avg: 14,237 Yr 2001 attendances <table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 border=1> <tbody> <tr> <td width="50%" bgcolor=#1f6794 colspan=2> Home Crowd Averages</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">19704: Brisbane</td> <td align=left width="50%">12409: Sharks</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">17553: Newcastle</td> <td align=left width="50%">11980: Melbourne</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">16671: Parramatta</td> <td align=left width="50%">11831: St.George-Illawarra</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">14420: Bulldogs</td> <td align=left width="50%">10980: Penrith</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">13133: North Qld</td> <td align=left width="50%">10239: Northern Eagles</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">12765: Warriors</td> <td align=left width="50%">9604: Wests Tigers</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">12535: Sydney Roosters</td> <td align=left width="50%">9526: Canberra</td></tr></tbody></table> Tot: 183,350 Avg: 13,096 Compared to 2000, yr 2001 saw a 8.7% decline in NRL crowd attendences.

 

[imported_bronco]

Yes moff from memory gav did a post on the crowds from the two competitions on worl some time back.
From memory the ESL averaged about 6k, and the English club comp averaged about 2k less on 4k. These are just from my memory which has been known not to be the strongest so I'd like to hear gavs confirmation on the issue.

 

[Marcus]

Hey Willow... here it is.

http://www.rleague.com/2000/nrl/anzac.htm
<table cellpadding=2 width=659 border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td width=653> ANZAC TEST AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND
NRL 2000 Main | World of Rugby League
</td></tr> <tr> <td width=653> AUSTRALIA 52
Tries: Fittler 2, Rogers 2, McKenna, Sailor, Tallis, Girdler, Timmins.
Goals: Rogers 8 from 9.
Team: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane-QLD), Mat Rogers (Cronulla-QLD), Ryan Girdler (Penrith-NSW), Shaun Timmins (StGeoIllaw-NSW), Wendell Sailor (Brisbane-QLD), Brad Fittler (Sydney Roosters-NSW) capt, Brett Kimmorley (Melbourne-NSW), Jason Smith (Parramatta-QLD), Bryan Fletcher (Sydney Roosters-NSW), Gorden Tallis (Brisbane-QLD), Rodney Howe (Melbourne-NSW), Jason Hetherington (Canterbury-QLD), Shane Webcke (Brisbane-QLD). Int: Scott Hill (Melbourne-NSW), Chris McKenna (Cronulla-QLD), Robbie Kearns (Melbourne-NSW), Jason Stevens (Cronulla-NSW).
DEFEATED NEW ZEALAND 0
Tries: --.
Goals: --.
Team: Richie Barnett (Sydney Roosters) capt, Nigel Vagana (Auckland), Richie Blackmore (Leeds), Henry Paul (Bradford), Lesley Vainikolo (Canberra), Robbie Paul (Bradford), Stacey Jones (Auckland), Tyran Smith (Wests Tigers), Stephen Kearney (Melbourne), Matthew Rua (Melbourne), Craig Smith (StGeoIllaw), Richard Swain (Melbourne), Joe Vagana (Auckland). Int: Jason Lowrie (Wests Tigers), Tasesa Lavea (Melbourne), Tony Puletua (Penrith), David Kidwell (Parramatta).
Venue: Stadium Australia. Crowd: 26,023.
Date: Fri Apr 21.
Referee: Bill Harrigan (Rating: 4).
Half time: Australia 22-nil.
First Try: Brad Fittler (Australia).
Man of the Match: Brett Kimmorley (Australia).
LeagueHQ: Rogers leads record rout.


SCORING ORDER
First Half
5th: Australia Try to Brad Fittler, Rogers Conversion 6-0
10th: Australia Try to Mat Rogers, Rogers Conversion 12-0
20th: Australia Try to Chris McKenna, Rogers Conversion 18-0
30th: Australia Try to Wendall Sailor 22-0
Half-Time: Australia 22 New Zealand 0.
Second Half
43rd: Australia Try to Gorden Tallis, Rogers Conversion 28-0
53rd: Australia Try to Ryan Girdler, Rogers Conversion 34-0
71st: Australia Try to Shaun Timmins, Rogers Conversion 40-0
73rd: Australia Try to Brad Fittler, Rogers Conversion 46-0
79th: Australia Try to Mat Rogers, Rogers Conversion 52-0</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[El Duque]

"Compared to 2000, yr 2001 saw a 8.7% decline in NRL crowd attendences." That's based on Marcus Maths. Do you have the actual figures for '00 and '01??? I'm not talking average crowds I'm talking overall attendance.

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Marcus - I asked about the ESL vs Zurich Premiership. Oh well, i guess you can't get all your questions answered.

I agree mate, the NRL attendances were well down this year and it was very dissapointing. I put it down to NO advertising by the NRL (unforgivable) and a lot of poor scheduling...However Marcus, id like to have the same conversation with u come the end of next year, as i think league crowds will rise again.

Another point, i may be off here but going purely on what i saw during the year, i would say that the Waratahs crowds were also down this year. Am i wrong??

Moff.

 

[Marcus]

"Now, if one of you two could grab a comparision between the crowds in the codes then i would much appreciate it" - MFC

I had that info when I made my first ever post - unforunately it was deleted by the managers. I'll try and get the ZP average figures for this season. Though it may take a while.

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Thanks mate, it would be much appreciated

Cheers
Moff.

 

[El Duque]

Marcus - I asked about the ESL vs Zurich Premiership. Oh well, i guess you can't get all your questions answered.

You're lucky if he answers any of them.

 

[Marcus]

MFC, here is more info on the Waratahs. http://communities.ninemsn.com.au/legendsworldofsport/rugbyunion.msnw?action=get_message&amp;mview=0&amp;ID_Message=18280&amp;LastModified=4675351341289840658

 

[Willow]

Marcus;
Thanks for posting up that information about the Aust v NZ ANZAC Test but thats not what I was asking for.
I was more curious about your statement that these were the best and second best RL national teams.
There are few who feel that Great Britain deserve the #2 spot.
Do you have any facts to back up your claim that NZ are number two?

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

"The crowd averaged 25,723 for the Super 12 season. Gate revenue rose by nearly $2 million."

Thanks Marcus. Although i still believe that super 12 crowds for the waratahs did drop compared to 2000. Actually, im quite sure they did. Even still, this means there were 17,000 empty seats on average at every game.....

Moff.

 

[imported_bronco]

Willow England are now officially rated the number 2 side in the world, the ratings were done but the RLF after the recent ashes series where its bullshit reason for putting them up a place was because of the win over Wales and the Australians.

What they have forgotten is that England/Great Britain haven't beaten New Zealand in a test match since about 1992/93 if memory serves me correctly, thats a long stint not to beat a side that is supposebly a lesser nation.
I have no doubt in my mind that New Zealand are the second best side in the world but considering that the ratings were only based on this current year I guess I'll just have to except the ratings.
Personally I think one year ratings are a bit of a joke and they should be taken over much longer periods of time say 3-4 years, its a much fairer indication of who are the leading nations.

 

[Marcus]

Hey MFC, here you go...


Here are the ZP average attendence for this season.

14,856 LEICESTER 9,463 NORTHHAMPTION 8,756 GLOUCESTER 7,920 BATH 6,872 SARACENS 6,378 LONDON IRISH 6,154 NEC ‘QUINS 5,386 NEWCASTLE 5,050 BRISTOL 4,856 LONDON WASPS 4,673 SALE 4,440 LEEDS all of this taken from http://www.zurichrugby.co.uk. I had to go through each match to find out the attendances, and then work out the averages. Trust me, these are the real ones. It took me 1hr to do all this. TOT: 84,802 Avg: 7,067 Here is the crowd attendaces for ESL 2001 <table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 border=1> <tbody> <tr> <td width="50%" bgcolor=#1f6794 colspan=2> Home Crowd Averages</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">12450: Leeds</td> <td align=left width="50%">6363: Warrington</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">12281: Bradford</td> <td align=left width="50%">4845: Halifax</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">11305: Wigan</td> <td align=left width="50%">4577: Salford</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">8802: St Helens</td> <td align=left width="50%">4073: London</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">7233: Castleford</td> <td align=left width="50%">3666: Huddersfield</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left width="50%">6418: Hull</td> <td align=left width="50%">3662: Wakefield</td></tr></tbody></table> http://uk.rleague.com/2001/stats.php TOT: 85,675 Avg: 7,140 Hey boys, looks about even to me

. If you want to double check me be my guest.

 

[Marcus]

Willow:

"I was more curious about your statement that these were the best and second best RL national teams.
There are few who feel that Great Britain deserve the #2 spot.
Do you have any facts to back up your claim that NZ are number two?"

In the league WC, Australia finished first and NZ second. GB??? Thats made up of 3 countries.

MFC:

"Thanks Marcus. Although i still believe that super 12 crowds for the waratahs did drop compared to 2000. Actually, im quite sure they did. Even still, this means there were 17,000 empty seats on average at every game....."

The Waratah crowd average increased about 1,000 from yr 2000. No doubt 2002 will see even more people attend Waratah games. If they start winning in a big way I can see them selling out a few times.

 

[El Duque]

Marcus,why is it that you avoid questions?

 

[Willow]

Marcus.. but GB are now rated No.2 according to the ratings system. These international ratings are updated about once every 30 seconds.

OK, you got that part wrong and to be honest, it was a toughy. But what about the third part of my query, that is, relating to your statement:
"Its obvious league fans don't give a hoot, if they did they would have packed the house."

Now this is going to hard, your batting average in ordinary to say the least...but I still have faith in you Marcus...

Tell me how you came to the conclusion that RL fans don't give a hoot about watching internationals. Given the facts.

 

[ex-manager]

Leeds were crap last season, hence the drop in their average. Bradford had to move across town to share Valley Parade where fans were greeted by a minimum £4 pound increase to get into that ground -many Bulls fans boycotted this moveand will no doubt stay away next season and until the Bulls move back to the new Odsal stadium which should be ready for 2003.......touch wood! If the Bulls had played at Odsal last season the average would have been around the 15,000 mark.

Move outside the top two divisions ESL and ZP1 you soon see a far greater drop off in crowds in ZP2 (It really starts to look like one man and hisdog outside ZP1)compared to Rugby League's NFP.

Leicester might get 14,000 plus, but where's the passionat aWelford Road crowd?