credit where credit is due

[kiwileaguefan]

Whilst we can create a long list of the failings of this RLWC, I think we need to give credit when credit is due....especially when I need to eat my own words.

I was extremely negative about Hamilton hosting two of the bigger games in Pool B, but it has sure paid off big time. Granted the whole Kiwi defections to Tonga has helped promote the games, I honestly thought both games would struggle to hit 10,000. With the state of the game in NZ before the RLWC (the Warriors poor season and the Kiwis debacle at the ANZAC Test and last years Four Nations) I was honestly concerned about the numbers for all the games.

Now we are looking at the Tonga vs Kiwis game being a sellout, and potentially the largest crowd for the tournament in pool play and maybe till the final or semifinal.

I'm still concerned on the prices they have set for the quarterfinals and semifinals for the games in NZ, but I do take my hat off to the people behind the scenes that have managed to get people to turn up.

IMO, I think the 12,130 that turned up to watch the Kiwis play Scotland in Christchurch was the biggest surprise for me. I honestly expected only 6-7,000 for the game.

Kiwis vs Samoa 17,857
Kiwis vs Scotland 12,130
Tonga vs Samoa 18,156
Kiwis vs Tonga 25,000 TBC

Average: 18,286

 

[Burns]

Absolutely nothing but praise for NZ and the Pacific community. While there are three big games to come; and Wellington has me a bit worried - did not think there would be an 18,000 average at this stage.

As had been said everywhere, should be at least one international test, between NZ and/or the Pacific nations every year in NZ.

 

[hutch]

Whilst we can create a long list of the failings of this RLWC, I think we need to give credit when credit is due....especially when I need to eat my own words.

I was extremely negative about Hamilton hosting two of the bigger games in Pool B, but it has sure paid off big time. Granted the whole Kiwi defections to Tonga has helped promote the games, I honestly thought both games would struggle to hit 10,000. With the state of the game in NZ before the RLWC (the Warriors poor season and the Kiwis debacle at the ANZAC Test and last years Four Nations) I was honestly concerned about the numbers for all the games.

Now we are looking at the Tonga vs Kiwis game being a sellout, and potentially the largest crowd for the tournament in pool play and maybe till the final or semifinal.

I'm still concerned on the prices they have set for the quarterfinals and semifinals for the games in NZ, but I do take my hat off to the people behind the scenes that have managed to get people to turn up.

IMO, I think the 12,130 that turned up to watch the Kiwis play Scotland in Christchurch was the biggest surprise for me. I honestly expected only 6-7,000 for the game.

Kiwis vs Samoa 17,857
Kiwis vs Scotland 12,130
Tonga vs Samoa 18,156
Kiwis vs Tonga 25,000 TBC

Average: 18,286

Sensational stuff from nz. The games there have been full of atmosphere. Hopefully one day you can host the majority of the tournament including the final. Certainly deserve it!

 

[roughyedspud]

Just them damn Australians letting us down...

 

[Perth Red]

How awsome is this, real feeling and hype, massive loud crowd. Loving RLWC17

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I’m in NZ at the moment and plenty of media coverage on the radio etc.
and let’s not forget this is after 5 years of the Warriors missing the finals and a couple of years of ordinary Kiwis results, imagine the level of support the game would achieve NZ after a prolonged period of success on those fronts.

 

[siv]

How do NZ stadium ticket prices compare to Oz ticket prices ?

 

[Evil Homer]

What's the hype for a Tonga v Lebanon QF in Christchurch? Many Tongans in the South?

 

[roughyedspud]

I reckon it'll be another sea of red...

And,assuming everything goes to plan,Tonga v England in Auckland is gonna be something special...if I had the spare cash I'd fly down just to see that..

 

[NRLMad]

I reckon it'll be another sea of red...

And,assuming everything goes to plan,Tonga v England in Auckland is gonna be something special...if I had the spare cash I'd fly down just to see that..

should be amazing

 

[JasonE]

I reckon it'll be another sea of red...

And,assuming everything goes to plan,Tonga v England in Auckland is gonna be something special...if I had the spare cash I'd fly down just to see that..

If as you say it all goes to plan, that will be the most intriguing match ever, the other semi won't be bad either.

 

[Stallion]

Yes. Mouthwatering stuff ahead! Channel 7 ratings and crowd figures will be big!

 

[titoelcolombiano]

It is actually not inconcievable that these finals could take place:

NZ v England
NZ v Tonga
Aus v Tonga

Sure Aus v England is likely but at this point the other options are actually conceivable. Love it!

 

[Force]

What's the hype for a Tonga v Lebanon QF in Christchurch? Many Tongans in the South?

Not many Tongans down in the South Island and its a bit of a stretch for the Tongans in Auckland to travel that far. Hopefully the locals come out to support the game. Organisers were probably thinking NZ were going to be playing in that game and not in Wellington where there are more Islanders.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Not many Tongans down in the South Island and its a bit of a stretch for the Tongans in Auckland to travel that far. Hopefully the locals come out to support the game. Organisers were probably thinking NZ were going to be playing in that game and not in Wellington where there are more Islanders.

The Tongans fans have packed out Christchurch Airport apparently. So looks like it could be a RED OUT again. This is a good unique World Cup could still go 4 ways.

 

[Jim from Oz]

It is actually not inconcievable that these finals could take place:

NZ v England
NZ v Tonga
Aus v Tonga

Sure Aus v England is likely but at this point the other options are actually conceivable. Love it!

If Fiji beat NZ and then Australia we could get in the final !:

Fiji v England
Fiji v Tonga

And I wouldn't write off PNG !!

 

[marv]

NZ should be proud of itself for the comp. Crowds have been great, so much noise and Simon Mannering speaking so well about how the Tongan victory is great for the game.

 

[kiwileaguefan]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/sp...im-grateful-for-once-in-a-lifetime-experience

NZ's reaction to the loss has been pretty amazing. Less one or two articles saying it was an embarrassment, generally the public have been very positive about it. I guess it helps that it was a great game of footy to watch.

Surely with players and media calling for it, there has to be a rematch set up in NZ next year...and i would take it to Eden Park with 30 tickets..

 

[Springs09]

Not many Tongans down in the South Island and its a bit of a stretch for the Tongans in Auckland to travel that far. Hopefully the locals come out to support the game. Organisers were probably thinking NZ were going to be playing in that game and not in Wellington where there are more Islanders.

NZ were always going to be playing in Wellington if they finished top 2. Same as Australia with Darwin.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/sp...im-grateful-for-once-in-a-lifetime-experience

NZ's reaction to the loss has been pretty amazing. Less one or two articles saying it was an embarrassment, generally the public have been very positive about it. I guess it helps that it was a great game of footy to watch.

Surely with players and media calling for it, there has to be a rematch set up in NZ next year...and i would take it to Eden Park with 30 tickets..

It's possible for us to play Tonga again if we beat Fiji and Australia (I know wishful thinking but achievable) And If Tonga beat England as we know they will annihilate the Lebanon team.

We could see a mouth watering final with Kiwis v Tonga (This will be so good if it does happen)

Obviously the Favorites for the Finals will be Australia v England or Australia v Tonga)